Dream and Metamorphosis

About

John Simpson is what one would call a master printmaker. He creates incredibly detailed work that examines Man's complex relationship with the natural world. He draws upon classical mythology and folktales with a draughtsmanship of the highest level. His work is striking, unsettling even. John exhibits a proficiency rarely seen these days within a framework of references that have been the canon and source material for many great artists. The title of this exhibition, ‘Dream and Metaphmorphosis' relates directly to Ovid's epic poem, whose first line gives the reader the basis for the work - In nova fert animus mutatas dicere formas/ corpora; (I intend to speak of forms changed into new entities"). We are in the realm of transfiguration, where people and things are in a state of flux and change. The ‘dream' aspect may refer to childhood fantasy and even unconscious desires.