John Birch
After years of working with figurative subject matter, finally in 2020 my work evolved to became fully abstract - abandoning all reference to the subject matter and embracing and expanding the technique that I have used over the past few years - that of applying paint by dripping and throwing which introduces a random and dynamic element to my work. Being freed from the image has also allowed me the freedom to use an unlimited range of colours - a freedom which I am using to the full.
Although there is now no reference to subject matter - I believe that the works are nevertheless strongly influenced by and embedded in the spirit of the Cornish environment, history, myths and legends.
Born 1946 in Clevedon, Somerset.
BA(Hons) Fine Art - West of England College of Art.
John Birch studied Fine Art at the West of England College of Art (now part of the University of the West of England). After graduating he remained in Bristol continuing to paint and had one man exhibitions at the Axis Gallery, Clifton and at the Bristol Arts Centre. He also took part in group exhibitions at the Arnolfini Gallery, Bristol and the Ikon Gallery, Birmingham.
He then spent the rest of his career as a graphic designer at the University of Bristol and then as Design Manager at Bristol City Council. Both posts involved very varied work from publications through to signing schemes, exhibition stands in the UK and overseas and corporate branding.
He only started painting again after moving to Cornwall in 2013.
John Birch is a gallery artist at the New Gallery, Portscatho.
He is a member of NAPA (The National Acrylic Painter's Association) and an Associate Member of the Penwith Gallery in St Ives.
Works are in the Arnolfini Gallery collection and private collections.
Solo Exhibitions
1968 - Axis Gallery, Clifton, Bristol.
1972 - Bristol Arts Centre.
Group Shows
1975 - ‘Big Paintings Show’, (4 artists), Arnolfini Gallery, Bristol.
1976 - ‘British Realists’ exhibition, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham.
1976 - Participating artist in the Arnolfini Gallery picture loan scheme.
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2016 Penwith Gallery Winter Associates show
2016-18 - Gallery artist at Veryan Galleries
2017 Penwith Gallery Mixed Winter show
2017 ‘Imagine Falmouth’ exhibition. Falmouth Art Gallery.
2018 ‘Patrick Haughton and friends: 50 years on’ At the Penwith Gallery, St Ives.
2019 Art World Gallery, Falmouth
2019 Gallery artist at the New Gallery, Portscatho (ongoing)
2019 St Ives Society of Artists, Christmas Show
2019 'Imagine Falmouth' at Falmouth Art Gallery
2020 Penwith Gallery, Summer Associates show
2021 NAPA Summer Show, John Rank Gallery, Oxmarket Centre, Chichester
2021 Penwith Gallery, Associates winter show
2022 St Ives Society of Artists Spring Open Exhibition
2022 Penwith Gallery, Summer Associates show
2022 ‘Imagine Falmouth’ at Falmouth Art Gallery
2022 St Ives Society of Artists Christmas open exhibition
2023 National National Acrylic Painter’s Association Summer Show, Wells Museum and Art Gallery, Wells, Somerset (Pro Arte Award 2023)
2023 St Ives Society of Artists Spring Open Exhibition