Ken Griffiths (1952 - 2015)

British painter born in Stoke on Trent.

In Ken's work we see an exploration of his world represented in a non-figurative way as he engages with the invisible aspects of visible reality. He attempts to make tangible the intangible objects of our imagination and reveal the sense of things rather than the actual forms. 

'My work is a vehicle which hopefully the viewer can use as a conduit to their own unconscious awareness.'

An artist whose education and enthusiasm for the arts originates in Burslem under the tuition of Enos Lovatt and in recent years has gravitated back and a source of inspiration.  Ken's earliest influence was his introduction to the German expressionists whilst studying art at secondary school.  Later, he became interested in painters such as Paul Klee, Max Ernst and Max Beckmann, the latter of whom Ken admires particularly as one of the great metaphysical painters of the twentieth century.  Kurt Schwitters,  a painter of the Dada movement also left a lasting impression.

His recent success includes a prize win at the Three Counties Open at Keele University in 2012 and in 2013 an exhibition hosted at The Villas in Stoke on Trent was an outstanding success with 23 of the 30 paintings selling within 48 hours.   Ken has been a supportive advocate and friend of Barewall since it's opening in 2010 and therefore this solo exhibition of Ken's latest work is a considerable honour.

His show The Demise Of Black which took place at Barewall was a suitable title, reflective of the transition in Ken's work and the strength one finds from within.

KEN GRIFFITHS
The Demise of Black
Barewall Gallery, 2-4 Market Place, Burslem ST6 4AT
12th September to 20th September 2014

Ken Griffiths Education

Graphic Design & Foundation – Stoke-on-Trent School of Art (1966 – 69)
Diploma Fine Art – Croydon College of Art (1969 – 72)
Certificate Printmaking – Croydon College of Art (1972 -73)