John Lyons Paintings
Painting pictures is a language like any other.It uses elements of a visual structure.
It is not a language of words, but one of colour, line, shape, texture and the notional space of a two-dimensional plane with a certain proportion, (any surface for that matter.)
In figurative, representational painting, the order in the juxtaposition and integration of visual linguistic elements, a ‘syntax’ in essence, describe a realism that is immediately recognizable.
On the other hand, the disruption or distortion of that ‘syntax’ in the way these elements interrelate allows freedom to play with abstract or semi-abstract imagery. In this instance, the linguistic elements could assert qualities in their own right while remaining in harmony with the compositional whole.
This approach appeals to me and is representative of the way I paint, and I am free to follow the dictates of intuition; play with the ambiguities of form, morphing one barely recognisable image into another. I am also free to create an iconography that evokes suggestions of storytelling, which, more often than not, relates to Caribbean folklore and mythology.
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email: info@felixandspear.com
Latest News
Acquisitions
Felix & Spear is pleased to announce the recent acquisition of several works by John Lyons (b. 1933) into prominent museum and public collections.
These acquisitions mark an important recognition of Lyons’ contribution to British and Caribbean art, affirming his position as a painter, poet, and cultural voice whose work bridges diverse traditions and histories. The inclusion of his pieces within public institutions ensures that a wider audience will have the opportunity to engage with and appreciate the depth, vibrancy, and enduring relevance of his artistic practice:
Tate Gallery
Mama Look A Mas Passin (1990), oil on canvas, 121 x 97 cm. Acquired by the Tate Gallery
The Whitworth
My Mother Earth Is Black Like Me (Mama Earth) (1988), pastel on paper, 45.5 x 52 cm. Acquired by The Whitworth (University of Manchester).
The Whitworth
Dreamscape (2004), watercolour on paper, 60 x 75.5 cm. Acquired by The Whitworth (University of Manchester).
Government Art Collection
Canboulay (2004), oil on canvas, 92 x 122 cm. Acquired by the Government Art Collection.