“I don’t sketch or sit in the countryside painting.
I stand in a windowless space. One black painting wall lit by a single LED floodlight. It’s theatre. I tend to work on one picture at a time. I have this physical and mental dialogue with a shape until we come to an agreement that enough is enough.
The only preconceived decisions before starting are
its dimensions and what colour should go down first.
I don’t know which way is up until near the end.
I am grasping for the untouchable, the indescribable, an elusive darkness.
I do not know what it is but I know when I’m close.
The good ones have a mystery at their core that feels
deeply satisfying to me.
The ones I love the most often remain unloved by others. This doesn’t change my opinion.
What am I trying to achieve now? I’m just taking a painting out for a walk along a tightrope, trying not to fall off. Meanwhile, Florence Welch sings ‘Free’ through the speakers at the top of her lungs.”
– John Bartley, 2024
This page is an archive of a past exhibition. Please note that works may no longer be available as shown and prices may be subject to change to reflect current market value. Please contact the gallery for assistance. Thank you.
