Jonny Rotherham is fascinated by the position of women in contemporary society. In his paintings of young women Rotherham captures both the physical presence and inner tensions of his subjects. His chosen medium, acrylic, enables him to work freely with colour and texture. His understanding of the complexity of painting the varying tones of skin and fabrics is evident in each of his powerful paintings. There is a real sense that his subjects are alive and full of contradictions. Vulnerability and independence, purity and sensuality and beauty and strength combine to give the viewer a truly indulgent visual experience.

His women are not simply to be looked at like consumable commodities, they are powerful and provocative – clearly individuals with something to say. It is almost as if we need them more than they need us. Our desire to view and take ownership is challenged by the knowledge that we are looking at the untameable.

My work examines the contemporary female figure.  The interest is in capturing attitude and energy, through posture and movement.  The figures in my current work exist as singular, almost iconic images on the canvas.  Desirable and desired, and yet solitary.  Isolated, they require an external context to explore and validate their own identity. 
Beautifully fine, but vulnerable.  My work attempts to explore these tensions on the canvas.  Blurring the boundaries of form, distorting line and obscuring shadow in a unique and direct way.  In addition, there is a wish to make these images accessible and timeless, full of energy and a bit of cool attitude.

Jonny Rotherham, January 2008

Recent Exhibitions