Borderlands II Painting

Born and based in Manchester, England, John Brindley is seen predominantly as an abstract artist but also creates figurative work and portraits. He has been drawing and painting for many years however it wasn't until his formal education at Manchester School of Art that his work developed into ‘new abstract expressionism’. Inspired by artists such as Joan Mitchell, Howard Hodgkin, Gerhard Richter and Albert Oehlen, gestural mark making, layering, texture and colour became the driving forces behind Brindley's visceral works. Many other influences can be seen in Brindley’s work, he is a regular hill walker in the High Peak area where he lives plus regularly visits the Lake District, Snowdonia and the Scottish Highlands for inspiration. Rhythm, music and dance are other strong influences having played in samba bands on the streets of Manchester and around Europe for many years. World travel also plays a part, particularly influenced by trips to India, the Far East and the cities and national parks of America and Canada. His abstract paintings are produced following a high risk but creatively open process, without preconceived ideas, guiding images or other limiting factors. "I feel this creates an opportunity for diverse and unpredictable outcomes. It is only after working on a painting for many hours, often throughout the night, that a synthesis can transpire in the work. After this initial stage a further period of rumination, refining and adjustment begins, which as part of a process can take several months. It is only then that the painting can appear to have liminal, landscape or even some figurative qualities. Ultimately I like to feel the work can create a conversation with the viewer, on both conscious and subconscious levels”.