In Conversation with Local Artists: John Currier
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Our latest series on the Selly Manor Museum blog involves interviewing artists from Bournville, Birmingham and the surrounding areas, finding out about their creative processes and inspirations, their views on Bournville and its community, and their upcoming projects and exhibitions. Local artists are key to keeping our community a vibrant and dynamic place to live.
For our next post we have interviewed local painter John Currier, who captures the beauty of Bournville and the surrounding areas through the changing seasons.
Artist John Currier
'Bournville Green, Frosty Morning' by John Currier
Q1: Could you tell us a little about yourself and your work as an artist?
“I have lived in Birmingham all my life, growing up in Harborne and later living in Kings Norton/Bournville and Kings Heath. I have always loved art, enjoying drawing from a very young age. Watercolours were my first painting medium - I remember ruining a sketch I was pleased with and learning the hard way about proper watercolour paper. I later moved onto acrylics and finally oil paint, which makes up the bulk of my recent work. Regardless of medium, I tend to be quite traditional in what I create. I like painting scenes of nature and of animals; particular favourite subjects include dramatic lighting such as sunsets, water such as lakes and the sea, as well as trees and foliage. I have found that the depth of colour in oil painting and the ability to layer have made it my preferred medium. More recently I have been experimenting with a variety of mediums for illustrative work such as combining watercolours and fine-liner pens.”
Q2: How does Bournville (and/or the surrounding areas) inspire your work?
“Bournville is an area I have been coming to for as long as I can remember - visiting friends who live here, going to Cadbury World, walking its canals and parks, living a couple of streets away for a time in Kings Norton, and having my artwork exhibited for the last three years in the Purple Gallery. I have always appreciated the greenery and natural beauty the area has, and it has certainly been inspiring for my work, directly leading to the creation of many pieces of its varying architecture and green spaces. Walking through Bournville and experiencing it at different times of day and during different seasons has been the inspiration for many studies and full paintings.”
'Rowheath Pavillion in Autumn' by John Currier
Q3: Bournville is surrounded by both green spaces and city scape – how do each of these influence your work?
“Green spaces are certainly my main source of inspiration, enjoying painting Bournville’s trees and parks and capturing the different seasons - the trees vary greatly from when in full leaf through the reds and golds of autumn and to the bare branches of winter. But I am also drawn to the heritage buildings and architecture, painting the Rest House on Bournville green or Rowheath Pavilion for example. These buildings are interesting subjects in their own right, but for me also provide a strong focal point for a scene that also includes elements of the natural world.”
Q4: Is there a particular piece of local history or heritage that you find yourself drawn to? Why do you think this is?
“Bournville remains an area of greenery and beauty, with many examples of old architecture that has been maintained and protected through the years, giving Bournville its own identity. The history behind Bournville’s creation by George Cadbury is perhaps the most interesting to me, and the preservation of the architecture, history and beauty as a living space is something I am very thankful for. I appreciate being able to walk through the area and enjoy the greenery and the unique buildings, the peace resulting from this preserved space.”
Q5: Why do you think art is important to the local community?
“I think there is something deeply human about creativity, the need to produce art in any form. As a place of natural beauty, preserved history and unique architecture, Bournville is a prime location for appreciation of the arts. Birmingham as a whole has a long history of creatives and design that continues to this day in its galleries, music, performances and many other forms. It can help celebrate the people and places important to us, and have pride in our area.”
'Swans' by John Currier
Q6: How do you feel your art connects with the people of Bournville/Birmingham? Or how do the people of Bournville/Birmingham connect with your work?
“Regardless of subject matter, I think people often find artwork special to them partly because it has been created by someone who is local to the area, and they can buy it from the artist or a gallery representing them. That in itself can help form a connection, even if the subject itself is not local. Particularly, however, I have painted many local scenes and buildings, and these pieces often resonate the most with people who have seen my work: winter paintings of the Rest House on Bournville green; an autumn scene of Rowheath Pavilion; an early painting of the Carillon hangs in the living room at a friend's house when I visit; a commission I did of my cousin's children playing at the back of Bishop’s Croft in Harborne sits in their living room. These places have meaning to people, tied to memories that make them special, and I am able to capture them in my art.”
Q7: Do you have a favourite artwork that you’ve created that you could talk us through?
“‘Dusk at Galloway’ is perhaps my favourite piece, for several reasons. I feel it is one of my strongest pieces, and I love the subject matter - dramatic lighting and water are two of the more common elements in my pieces. It is also special to me for two reasons: it was the piece that really helped me rediscover my love of painting and consider pursuing exhibiting my work for others to see; and it also happened to be my first true sale when it was bought three years ago. Having someone want to own a piece that you have created is a powerful thing, and the thought of it on someone's wall where they see it daily is very pleasing.”
'Dusk at Galloway' by John Currier
Q8: What is next for you – do you have any upcoming projects or exhibitions that you’re excited about?
“I am currently strengthening my skills primarily in studies and sketches, focusing on the fundamentals of human anatomy and composition to improve my art in the long term. I am also working on new oil pieces to hopefully exhibit at the Purple Gallery in Bournville. This feature has helped encourage my creativity and drive to paint; it is gratifying to have interest shown in my work and have an opportunity to talk about what I enjoy, so I am moving forward with more work to be seen in the near future!”
'Towpath at Kings Norton' by John Currier
A big thank you to John for taking the time to share a bit about his creative process and how the local area inspires him. If you would like to see more of his work, head to his instagram account @jcurrierart
Written by Niamh Reid, Museum Assistant