Bank Street Gallery

Scotland, and the County of Angus in particular, benefitted from the birth of Johnny Johnstone in 1941.  The scene was set ready for the nurturing and development of this quiet man of Scottish art.  Like many a young boy, early shoots of creativity were fostered by Dudley D. Watkins.  The influence of Oor Wullie and The Broons can still be discerned both in the form and personality of Johnstone's anatomical work.  That is not to say that he has not experienced the more rigorous training of what might now be described as a traditional education in art.  Perhaps this is a result of his classical education at Edinburgh Academy or the formal aspects of his highly commended diploma from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee.  Perhaps rather this is the result of the artist's avaricious eye for all form ........ in style.  Decide for yourself whether you see Dudley Watkins, Breugal, da Vinci, Cook, Rowlandson and many others.  In fact the list is potentially so vast that in reality Johnstone somehow harnesses them all, making the overall effect very much his own.

John Johnstone is just back from a successful exhibition at the Albemarle Gallery, London where he has regularly exhibited over the last decade.  Other, often regular, appearances have included the Royal Scottish Academy and the Scottish Society of Artists closer to home, with Jamaica amongst the further flung - and warmer - host galleries!