All rise! Janet Lance Hughes rounds up a regal bunch of creative captains for her latest exhibition at Kings Place Gallery, London.
Click images to enlarge.
London educational establishment, Central Saint Martins has been the foundation of many artists’, journalists’ and distinguished creatives’ illustrious careers. Paying homage to these fine artisans, Janet Lance Hughes’ exhibition at Kings Place in North London celebrates the careers of several notable alumni with exquisite painted portraiture.
As a former senior lecturer at CSM, Janet has spent the last four years painting ex-students and staff from the school, with the walls of the gallery adorned with the likes of Glen Matlock, Sir James Dyson, Giles Deacon, Peter Blake and even i-D’s very own ex-Editor, Dylan Jones. Hughes chose to paint her subjects in their natural surroundings with many portrayed in the style of an i-D ‘straight-up’.
The artist explained to i-D online that it was during a teaching session that the idea for the project began, “I started to imagine all the extraordinary people who had been through the doors in the last 50 or so years. I started to think how our contemporary culture has been significantly shaped by the various people involved in education and training in that environment, and what an interesting idea it might be to paint some of them.”
Describing the exhibition, Hughes explained her favourite aspect was how “each person is very different and full of their own energy and vitality.” ‘What’s next?’ we hear you cry, Janet hopes to create a set of portraits that focusses on people from different regions of the UK. Budding creatives poise yourself! Janet’s on the hunt for actors, musicians, artists, gardeners of all shapes and sizes, her heart’s set on scoring a sitting with David Hockney.
Aptly located just two ticks from the brand-spanking new CSM campus in North London, the exhibition is a must-see for those intrigued by the current Kings and Queens of the creative industries, and how they came to find their thrones and jewels! Hop to it!
Line of influence is open until 2nd January 2012.
Text and photography: Declan Higgins
