Oil And Water Do Mix At New Exhibition

A Lancashire-born artist whose passion for painting began in the Sixties is staging a summer exhibition at The Dukes gallery.

John Baldwin learned his craft at Leeds Arts School whose alumni include Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Damien Hirst.

He was drawn into the music scene there and ran a psychedelic nightclub where the likes of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band appeared and he also booked Van Morrison for a gig at Leeds Town Hall.

John later moved to London where his studio was in a building shared with Oz and the fledgling Time Out magazines and became friends with Molly Parkin among others.

Originally from Oswaldtwistle, John returned North to work in the family business until, in his early forties, he decided to dedicate himself fully to art following spells of teaching at colleges in Accrington and Blackpool.

“Being an artist is a full time commitment and though it’s scarey, I’m sorry I didn’t do it sooner,” said John.

John moved to Crook in the Lake District while also spending time in London where he has been a member of Chelsea Art Club for thirty years and will exhibit there in November.

He has lived in Silverdale since 1998 and recently took part in the Arnside and Silverdale Art Trail.

For the past 20 years, John has worked in water-based media, particularly acrylic and when he realised that the only paints available were inadequate for his needs, he developed his own acrylic paints and gels.

More recently, John has started painting in oils and his current exhibition – Oil And Water – combines the two media. The colourful results, some on massive canvasses, also reflect the psychedelic era when his love of art began.

John has previously exhibited at The Dukes, nationally, throughout Europe and in China where he has also lectured.

Oil and Water can be viewed in the gallery until August 2 during normal Dukes opening hours. If you are making a special trip to see it, please call the Box Office as sometimes the gallery is used for other activities.

For more information, ring the Box Office on 01524 598500 or visit www.dukes-lancaster.org

Ends

7/7/2015

For more information, please contact Louise Bryning on 01524 598509 or email [email protected]

Editor’s Notes

The Dukes is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation. The Dukes receives funding from Arts Council England, Lancashire County Council, Lancaster City Council, Lancaster University and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

The Dukes is the winner of the Lancashire Tourism Cultural Venue/Organisation Award 2013.