Johnny Grimshaw describes himself as someone born a long time ago living on the Isle of Wight.
He says he is a ‘chromatic poet’ rather than a painter and is far more in contact with songwriters and musicians rather than other visual artists.
He paints every day.
He says- ‘When I write songs I wrap words around my thoughts, when I’m in my studio I cloth them and all paints’.
This chapter of work pays attention to his visual response influenced by song lyrics and music created primarily by local musicians and song writers. Also on show are studies of his wife Shukim who has modelled for him for the past fifty years.
Johnny paints entirely in oils. ‘It’s like riding on the upper deck of a bus, travelling around the world and you see a million images but only at a quick glance, a momentary glimpse at another person’s reason for being’.
Angelina his daughter comments, ‘in this style of working there is no time afforded the background study or even positively identifiable features. Therefore for this very reason he offers only the likeness of shape, imagery and atmospheric location and does not intrude upon or attempt to finalise an ongoing composition, a piece of poetry which he himself has been momentarily privy to glimpse. In a symbolic way he hands the viewer loaded paintbrush to let him or her complete this work for the fulfilment of their own imagination.’
If you are interested and wish to know more about this exhibition or Johnny Grimshaw’s collections and commissions inquiries please contact angelinagrimshaw@yahoo.co.uk.