‘Which Way Up’: documentary following painter John McLean

A documentary film depicting the working life of abstract artist John McLean –who has Parkinson’s – is to preview this weekend

A documentary about the Scottish artist John McLean – who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2014 – will be screened at the Barbican Centre, London, UK, this weekend.

The 78-minute film, ‘Which Way Up’, follows McLean as he creates his art, shedding light on the decision-making process governing the abstract shapes and colours that are prevalent in his work.

John McLean, who has displayed his paintings at some of the world’s most prestigious galleries including the Tate, UK, and the Scottish National Gallery, UK, and the Yale Centre for British Art, US, has described how his Parkinson’s has exposed him to new artistic techniques.

Despite experiencing severely reduced mobility as a result of living with the condition, McLean has refused to allow it to limit his work: “Parkinson’s is completely irrelevant to me in how, and why, I appreciate and make art.”

Earlier in the year, McLean was among a group of artists, which included Sarah Lucas, Damien Hirst and Grayson Perry, who were invited to display their work in the Cure³ Exhibition, a fundraiser organised by The Cure Parkinson’s Trust.

For more information visit the Barbican website

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

John McLean: Parkinson’s has exposed me to new painting techniques