Memory of a Field

Scottish artist John McClenaghen studied at many Universities. These include the Glasgow School of Art (BA Honours in Fine Art), the University of Huddersfield (PGCE), University of Liverpool and the University of Chester (MA Fine Art). He is currently Senior Lecturer in Fine Art in the School of Creative Arts, Glyndŵr University. 

Having always been interested in coastal landscapes, John’s work explores weather, time and transformation. Particularly, the ways they are transformed by the changing seasons within the landscape and coast. He takes interest in relating an experience by drawing parallels between the interplay of light and weather upon his subjects.

Returning to the same locations repeatedly, John begins to establish a rapport with his surroundings. Back in the studio, he makes spontaneous gestural works on paper. This is done through colour experiments, mark making, and the use of various mediums a process of recollection through creation. This allows the materials to guide his compositions. The layers of decisions in the drawn and painted surfaces recall changes he sees in the natural landscape itself. The reconfiguration of structures, shapes, colours and textures reflecting fluctuating physical forms obscured or revealed by the effects of light and shade.