This document announces an exhibition of works by artist Fletcher Sibthorp at the Medici Gallery in London from May 3rd to 24th, 2007. It includes details of Sibthorp's past solo exhibitions, a biography noting his focus on capturing movement and dance, and descriptions of 25 works being exhibited, most depicting dancers in ballet or flamenco. Accompanying many works are charcoal studies and oil/charcoal colour studies. The exhibition resumes where Sibthorp's 2006 show at the gallery left off, focusing more on ballet.
3. Fletcher Sibthorp
S E L E C T E D WO R K S
3rd - 24th May 2007
Medici Gallery
5 Cork Street
London W1S 3LQ
t: +44 (0)20 7495 2565
e: info@medicigallery.co.uk
w: www.medicigallery.co.uk
4. SOLO EXHIBITIONS
1992 ‘In Motion’ - London, UK
2000 ‘Quiet Space’ - The China Club, Hong Kong
2000 ‘Flamenco I’ - Tokyo, Japan
2002 ‘Flamenco II’ - Tokyo, Japan
2004 ‘Flamenco III’ - Kyoto, Japan
2005 ‘Passion’ - Studies in Dance - Cork Street Gallery, London, UK
2006 Selected Works - Medici Gallery, London, UK
Selected Works - Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
2007 Selected Works - Medici Gallery, London, UK
DEDICATION
I would like to thank the all the people who have been inspirational in my work.
A special thanks to the staff and performers at The Royal Ballet, without whose generous cooperation,
artistic vision and accomplishment, many of these paintings would not have been realised.
5. INTRODUCTION
Born 1967, in Hertfordshire, Fletcher displayed noticeable artistic talent and keen interest
in the arts from an early age. Having graduated with Honours from Kingston School of Art
in 1989, he invested his energies in exploring the concept of movement and capturing its
subsequent effect on the human form. This naturally led to his exploring the challenging
theme of sport and his near-abstract portrayals of gymnasts and atheletes - culminating in his
first solo show - ‘In Motion’, in London, 1992.
Fletcher was approached by Sadler’s Wells in 1995, wanting him to produce a painting for
the Flamenco troupe Paco Peña. They felt that the movement and expressive quality in his
work complemented the passion and the strength of Flamenco. He has long since continued
to be inspired by dance as a subject, regularly exhibiting in Japan, where he is much admired
and collected and, more recently, also in the UK, where he has won several awards for his
limited-edition prints.
In this, his second solo Exhibition at The Medici Gallery, Fletcher resumes where he left off in
2006 - with his vivid figurative studies and paintings. This year, more so than ever before, he
has focused on the balletic aspect of dance - both modern and classical. In his new paintings,
he captures the strength and elegant poise of dancers - solo or borne by ethereal partners;
of muscle tone, draped fabric and dramatic lighting - all against simple backdrops. In addition
to ballet pieces, Fletcher is also particularly noted for his striking Flamenco paintings, some
new pieces of which are also featured as part of this exhibition.
“To interpret weight, form, light and then the flow and line of the human form is the
challenge.To be able to create the body with as much economy as possible, like Gustav
Klimt’s drawings, is the ultimate goal. As a figurative painter, I like the way you are
involving the viewer. You are asking them to interpret and add their own experiences
to the painting. People cannot help but associate, or relate to a figurative work.”
Fletcher Sibthorp
6. (1.) Chroma I / Aluminium
Oil and pastel on board
48 x 48 INCHES / 122 x 122 CM
7.
8. (2.) Chroma I Study
Charcoal on drawing film
25 x 22 INCHES / 62.5 x 55.5 CM
9.
10. (3.) Chroma II / Yellow Disc Rising
Oil and pastel on board
48 x 37 INCHES / 122 x 94.5 CM
11.
12. (4.) Chroma II Study
Charcoal on drawing film
30 x 18 INCHES / 75 x 45 CM
13.
14. (5.) Danse à Grande Vitesse I
Mixed media on board
47 x 45 INCHES / 119 x 114 CM
15.
16. (6.) Danse à Grande Vitesse I Study
Charcoal on drawing film
26 x 20 INCHES / 65 x 51 CM
17.
18. (7.) Danse à Grande Vitesse II
Mixed media on board
54 x 46 INCHES / 138 x 117 CM
19.
20. (8.) Danse à Grande Vitesse II Study
Charcoal on drawing film
26 x 20 INCHES / 65 x 51 CM
21.
22. (9.) Chroma III / Lilac Crest
Oil and pastel on board
48 x 37 INCHES / 122 x 94.5 CM
23.
24. (10.) Chroma III Study
Charcoal on drawing film
23 x 18 INCHES / 58 x 46 CM