John Loker
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Original - Wiper Series: "Waltzing 2" - John Loker - Oil & Acrylic on Canvas- 66 x 66cm - £P.O.A |
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John LokerJohn loker's work is both dynamic and engaging. John executes his work with precision and passion. BackgroundJohn Loker, was born in Leeds in 1938. He studied graphic design at Bradford College of Art & Design (1954-58) and painting at the Royal College of Art (1960-1963). He now lives and works in Norfolk. John has had numerous solo exhibitions in the UK and Europe and has shown regularly at Flowers East, London and the Wetering Galerie, Amsterdam since 1970. His participation in group shows is extensive, including exhibiting in the summer exhibitions at the Royal Academy. John Loker's work is in many public collections globally including the Tate Gallery, Victoria & Albert Museum,British Council, Manchester City Council and the Power Institute, Sydney. Inspiration"I am initially drawn to the objects or elements used in the work by their power, function or beauty. There is always an underlying content that can be developed, like the icons on a computer; the small image is a surface sign for what is hidden beneath. Click - and they open. Little Boy Blue
"The two small paintings/assemblages were made for the exhibition 'Small Is Beautiful' an annual exhibition at Flowers Gallery with the theme that year being 'Nursery Rhymes'. I have taken the subject in a very simplistic way. First, I always associate nursery rhymes with childhood books being read to me, the layers of pages in the work are just that, the book. Also the innocence of the child enjoying the story has no need of meaning or content beyond the pleasure or delight in the rhyme or the pictures, as often these are picture books. The actual content of these becomes more confusing as there are many theories and diverse opinions on the origins of many of the rhymes. Disasters, wars, social and religious events and especially political satire are all a part of the richness of nursery rhyme history. One interpretation relating to Little Boy Blue concerns Cardinal Wolsey and his apparent incompetence as Lord Chancellor, he is Little Boy Blue, 'Come blow on your horn' i.e. assert your authority - political satire of the Tudors. So the two works contain these elements - Cardinal - Book - Little Boy Blue with his horn. The Cardinal passes through the book and becomes Little Boy Blue. A simple tongue in cheek interpretation of the 'truth'. To canvasIn the 'Wiper Series' the wiping action of the image led to ways of realising the paintings, physically recreating the windscreen wiper and using it to obscure images already made. Again the contradiction is informing the work - wipers wipe, mine obscure. This is the recalling of an encounter with a twister whilst driving. Selected Solo Exhibitions- Has shown regularly at Angela Flowers Gallery since 1970 Selected Group Exhibitions include- Het Landschap, Gemoentelijke Reekumgalery, Apeldoorn, Holland |