Fletcher Sibthorp's work predominantly explores the subject of dance, particularly Flamenco. In recent years this hugely successful artist has achieved over 20 sell-out limited editions to his name and a book of his work is eagerly awaited at the same time as his first major London exhibition of original work in March 2005.


The exhibition is the culmination of several years' work and coincides with the publication of his first book, PASSION - a linen-bound hardback of some 160 colour pages in a matching case, of which 350 copies are exclusively available as a limited edition, containing a signed and matching numbered print. Art For All in Chichester will be receiving early stocks of Fletcher's new book immediately upon publication - Please click here should you either wish to place an advance order or be contacted when we have the book in stock.





Since graduating with an honours degree from Kingston University, Fletcher’s career has flourished with commissions for major artworks from such prestigious companies as BP, British Airways, British Telecom and Sony Records.


His work has twice appeared on the cover of The Evening Standard and The Royal Shakespeare Company has commissioned him on a number of occasions. His work has adorned the pages of biographies for both Bertrand Russell and Virginia Woolf and appeared on covers of numerous books and record albums. Fletcher Sibthorp’s work is greatly admired by many well qualified to judge and his record of successes is impressive. He has won six competitons including the Association of Illustrators title on no less than three occasions and six separate Awards of Excellence.


Since 1992, Fletcher’s work has been widely exhibited and most of his one-man shows are now held overseas in countries such as Japan and Hong Kong where many of his major works achieve prices of £5,000 and above. Initially, Fletcher was attracted by the concept of movement and its effect on the human form. This naturally lead to his interest in sport and abstract portrayals of gymnasts and athletes, culminating in an exhibition ' In Motion ' in London in 1992. Fletcher was approached by Sadlers Wells in 1995, to produce a painting for the Flamenco dance troupe Paco Pena. The movement and the expressive quality in his work complemented the passion of Flamenco. Fletcher was immediately drawn into the energy of the dance, producing many painting on that theme.


However, Fletcher has recently become more interested in the figure alone, its subtleties and the infinite expressions. As he says, " I'm interested in taking a figure, placing it in an abstract space and from these simple elements, creating a narrative. I like to think that when people view the paintings, they will add their own emotions and from these, create their own interpretations."


The faces, although simple, have a complexity to them. A contemplative gaze, a person deep in thought, hinting of a secret which the viewer is permitted to share. " These are not portraits, " Fletcher argues, " the models act as a reflection of my own and the viewer's self expression and vunerabilty". Because the paintings are so simple, the viewer cannot help but add their own experiences. The viewer is invited to identify with the subject and project their own mood onto the painting.


Sometimes the narrative is hinted at by a title or a theme; themes that artists have tackled for centuries. Fletcher says, " I like the idea of the Classical subject, because they are so universally recognisable that only a few simple elements are needed to create the theme. Their simplicity makes them contemporary, but they are influenced by the ancient. I like the juxtaposition."


Recently Fletcher's work has concentrated further on his own personal creative vision. He is passionate about the direction in which his work is heading. "Even though the work, in its content, is becoming simpler, the paintings are harder to resolve, as the underlying expression becomes harder to achieve. Even I don't know how they will develop. They take on their own life, creating their own spirituality."