Work John Midgley
John Midgley
Raw, heavy and gestural, John Midgley's collage works, at first appear to be in complete contrast with the work made from the 1970's to present, where Midgley produced banners for Trade Unions and other progressive movements. But although different in fabric, all the work bears the presence of an artist whose strong beliefs are carried through into the pieces with honest rigour and passion.
Large, elaborate and traditionally designed, carrying instantly recognisable motifs and images the Banners, made from cloth, were often carried in protest and made reference to specific histories.
Conversely Midgley's collage constructions are heavy and solid in their making. Celebrating the freedom of abstraction, the work nods towards lurking traces of images and objects found, brought back and re-made. Through the processes of making,the collages express Midgley's urge to produce work freely and without the constriction of the earlier commissions.
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