Featured Artist: Bobby Johnstone

Glasgow Print Studio presents new work by studio member Bobby Johnstone, Featured Artist for November.

 

"Ever since childhood, Faith, Myth and Magic have had an impact or played a part in some way on everyone's journey through life.  An intriguing influence on both our mindset and culture. Subconsciously, they might shape us through adulthood and on our response to different situations.

 

They fuel our imagination and undeniably captivate us. On another level, they can affect the human psyche, and as we presently seem to be living through an apocalyptic period of a world gone horribly bad, they can alleviate and help create a diversion, or conceive an escape route by offering some universal panacea.

 

In my Faith imagery, I hope to stir up a soulful feeling in the viewer where there is an abject need. My Myth imagery can remind us of our inconsequential existence in an immeasurable universe, and finally the Magic imagery serves as a reminder of illusion, fakery, false roads, and deceit at hand. More simply, the images are intended to resonate and make a connection with the viewer."

 

Bobby Johnstone studied Fine Art (Painting and Printmaking) at the Central School of Art and Design, London, followed by one year at Goldsmiths' College, London.

 

 

For over 30 years he taught Art and Design in various South Ayrshire Secondary schools. He is still actively involved in teaching through classes in Life Drawing and Portraiture, both in Troon and the Barony Centre, West Kilbride. He is an artist member of the Glasgow Print Studio, Paisley Art Institute, as well as Committee member and Programme Secretary of both Ayr Sketch Club and Troon Art Club.

 

He has been the recipient of various Awards including Travelling Scholarships from various bodies both in Scotland and England. He has exhibited previously at Glasgow Print Studio, as well as at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in London, the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh, the MacLaurin Art Gallery in Ayr, and the North Ayrshire Open exhibition. He has also participated in group shows at East Kilbride Arts Centre, Harbour Arts Centre in Irvine, Studio 44 in Largs and in Kirkcudbright.