Painter with Parkinson’s: John McLean shares some of his favourite works

Perspectives

Author: Almaz OhenePublished: 3 May 2017

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As the only artist with Parkinson’s to be showcased in the fundraising Cure³ Exhibition, renowned abstract painter John McLean has a unique perspective on the disease. Here we present some of his favourite creations

When we interviewed British artist John McLean ahead of the Cure³ Exhibition last month, he told us how Parkinson’s has exposed him to new techniques.

“I’ve noticed more hand-brush strokes coming in, as it seems my fine motor skills are not so badly affected by my Parkinson’s,” admits McLean. “I never thought I’d find myself saying something as positive as this, but it looks as though having Parkinson’s has exposed me to some techniques that I might have otherwise missed.”

McLean was among the contemporary artists commissioned to create art in a cube for the exhibition, which was then sold at auction to raise money for The Cure Parkinson’s Trust. More than £250,000 has been raised so far.

His influences include Wassily Kandinsky (1866–1944), Henri Matisse (1869–1954) and Kenneth Noland (1924–2010) – who were all working within the abstract school of thought – and he describes his own style as an “exploitation of colour”. John has kindly agreed to let us reproduce some of his favourite works below.

1. ‘Balquidder’, 2016, acrylic on canvas (39cm x 50cm)

2. ‘Flarepath’, 2016, acrylic on canvas (51cm x 26cm)

3. ‘Hence’, 2011, acrylic and collage on canvas (101cm x 50cm)

4. ‘Signal’, 2006, acrylic on canvas (30cm x 60cm)

5. ‘Sopra Porta’, 2016, acrylic on canvas (35cm x 120cm)

6. ‘Temple’, 2016, acrylic on canvas (150cm x 70cm)

7. ‘Untitled’ (but affectionately called ‘The John McLean Windows’), 2014, stained glass (14ft x 10ft)

McLean was commissioned to create three stained-glass windows each 14ft high by 10ft across for the north aisle of Norwich Cathedral, UK.

8. ‘Untitled maquette for sculpture’, 2016, Perspex cube, 400 gsm watercolour paper, foam core and gouache (20cm x 20cm x 20cm)

John McLean’s Cure³ Exhibition cube is available to buy from the Cure³website.

Image credits: Chris Morphet, Michael Proudfoot and Cure³Exhibition

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Painter with Parkinson’s: John McLean shares some of his favourite works

Perspectives

Author: Almaz OhenePublished: 3 May 2017

Prep: Cook: Serves:

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Painter with Parkinson’s: John McLean shares some of his favourite works

Perspectives

Author: Almaz OhenePublished: 3 May 2017

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Share this story

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