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EMILY BALL AT SEAWHITE‍

CONTEMPORARY DRAWING AND PAINTING COURSES‍

John Skinner: "La Joie de Vivre of Painting"

Exhibition Film

Image: visitor at  "La Joie de Vivre of Painting" exhibition (Noah Carter)

“Every time I look at these paintings, I see something new.  I marvel at how John has pushed the edge of what painting is…he keeps on pushing the language of painting.” ~ Emily

Dear  ‍ ‍

In May we sent you a newsletter about the opening of our latest exhibition at Seawhite’s Atrium Gallery.  “La Joie de Vivre of Painting” is a retrospective exhibition of paintings and drawings by John Skinner, curated by Emily Ball. 

The impetus to curate the show was to mark John’s 70^th birthday.  The show contains 30 pieces of specially selected works that span three decades of an extraordinary and prolific career.

Image: visitors at  "La Joie de Vivre of Painting" exhibition (Noah Carter)‍

“The show is not only a celebration, but a wonderful opportunity to take a selection of John’s work out of store and really spend time looking at it. Every time I walk into this exhibition, it makes me smile. It brings back so many fantastic memories, not only of being in the Abbotsbury studio in Dorset, but of things John has said to me over the years.” ~ Emily ‍

Image:  Emily filming with Noah Carter‍

As well as the show and its opening event, Emily also commissioned Noah Carter to create a film of the exhibition as a permanent record of the show.  In it, Emily talks about why she chose specific works to be exhibited, and describes in detail what she admires about John’s work and his philosophy of painting. 

“Thank you for taking up this idea of making a record of the marvellous exhibition that you have created - and then how wonderfully you speak about your responses to the paintings and your kind comments about myself - only you would be able to do that - I am sure that nobody else would be able to bring their experiences of the paintings together so clearly - and that particular knowledge that you have of their history and of their making. The film is marvellous and engaging from beginning to the end Emily.” ~ John

In this newsletter, we’d like to invite you to watch the film: it’s a wonderful celebration of a very special painter.  We also wanted to share some of John’s responses to Emily and his clarifications to works highlighted in the film, along with some of Emily’s observations and comments.

“La Joie de Vivre of Painting” continues until the 23rd August 2024. Viewing is by appointment.  Please email emily@emilyball.net for more details and to arrange a viewing.

To watch the film, click on the image below:‍

Ice-Cream Trees

Image: Favourite Coat Flavour - Ice Cream Tree, Oil on Board, 1997 (John Skinner)

“I was very excited about John working on this very, very shiny board and what that offered him.  I remember him saying that you could represent the whole sky within a little circle attached to the edge of the board.  It really stuck with me that level of invention … these paintings really demonstrate that for me – they’re a reminder to play, to invent, to be more poetic.” ~ Emily

Image: Blood & Twigs Flavour Ice Cream Tree - oil on board, 1997‍ (John Skinner)

“The sky in a little blue circle attached to the side of the board is correct and I had forgotten about it - moving away from presenting the sky sitting on the horizon.” ~ John‍

Homage to Helen Chadwick‍

“I was shocked and saddened by Helen’s sudden death in 1996,  so tried to make something meaningful in response. The painting was made at the end of the Air Sea and Hills series - unique.” ~ John 

Image: Homage to Helen Chadwick, ‍Oil on Canvas, 1996-7 (John Skinner)

 “There are so many qualities in this painting that are extraordinary.  The inventiveness of it, the use of the mirror shape – which is a reference to a photographic self-portrait Helen made of herself looking into a mirror and seeing her own reflection.  Then there is the handling of the paint – the surface and the space - which I love.  This beautiful polished colour, smoothed and pushed around.  It has this amazing glow  which holds the figure(s), which is then contrasted with the rawness of the border at the bottom of the painting.  I love all these different uses of language: it is this marriage of tenderness and sensuality combined with strength which gives this painting its bite." ~ Emily‍

Image: visitors at  "La Joie de Vivre of Painting" exhibition (Noah Carter)‍

“I hope that having this show is a reminder for John of the work that he did.  I also want to convey to him - and hope that he realises - how important he is as a painter, not just to me, but to all the students he’s ever taught and to anybody that sees his drawings and paintings.  His work is extremely moving, extraordinary and makes you notice the world more; it makes you celebrate what it is to be alive.” ~ Emily‍

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