Camden New Journal - Feature: John Joseph - Exhibition at Lauderdale House

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

The Review - FEATURE
Published: 3 April 2008

John Joseph’s award-winning painting of the view from Primrose Hill (detail)

Timely reminders of a beautiful borough

John Joseph’s exhibition at Lauderdale House is inspired by scenes around Hampstead and Primrose Hill and his unusual day job, writes Dan Carrier

TEACHING keep fit provided artist John Joseph with more than just a living while he spent his spare time painting.
“Working as an instructor has helped me with my anatomy,” he admits.
Now Mr Joseph, who lives in Somers Town, has trawled through his childhood haunts to create a collection of paintings of Camden, which are currently on display in Lauderdale House, Waterlow Park.
He had spent 17 years at life classes at the Working Men’s College in Crowndale Road, Mornington Crescent.
“Learning to be a trainer not only gave me a job, but helped me with my life drawings too,” he says.
His work in the exhibition features landscapes drawn and painted on Hampstead Heath, Primrose Hill and Regent’s Park.
“I love this area,” he says. “I was brought up here and have lived here all my life, so it’s inspiring to reproduce places I know so well on canvas.”
Although he was 28 when he first had any formal training, art has always been important to him and he won prizes as a child.
“I remember being taken as a child at Argyle primary school in King’s Cross to galleries and thinking wow! – I want to paint like an Old Master,” he says. He also recalls being particularly impressed with the Elgin Marbles – “My mum is Greek and I think that made me like them all the more – and I thought to myself that I’d like to do this.”
He worked at a number of jobs before taking an art course at London Metropolitan University and then compiling enough for a show.
He added: “Camden is beautiful. People need reminding sometimes.
“It is so urban that we sometimes miss the lovely places on our doorstep. I hope my paintings will remind people of this.”
April 13
0208 348 8716

* John Joseph’s paintings are at Lauderdale House, Waterlow Park, N6, until Sunday

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment:

» Exhibition Listings
» Exhibition Tickets