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PLEASE NOTE:
This is
written in the third person, because I have compiled this from a number
of previously published sources, so everything on this page has been
written, or said, by someone else, but I did not want to include even
more quotations, than I have already.
Evidence
- See Press Cuttings & Letters
What is
Special About the Amazing Art
of
John Neville Cohen?
John Neville
Cohen is really an artist who uses a pure form of photography. Photographer’s record reality and the best do that really
well, but John creates amazing fantasy from reality! His
beautiful pictures surprise, intrigue and make quite a statement!
" One of the essential
differences between the artist and the photographer is that the artist
always starts with a blank canvas, whereas the photographer's canvas
'the viewfinder', or screen, is always full!" John Neville Cohen
There are three reasons why John’s art is so special: -
-
Firstly,
he
invented his own photographic ‘painting with light’
method using projection photography (a very different and
original 'special effect' pure photographic technique in the early
1960's) without using any
computer, darkroom chemicals, or expensive equipment, to create his
unique top international award winning studies. This enabled
him to produce transparencies (mostly
on Kodachrome) that amazed
other photographers, Kodak and all the experts at the time, well before
anyone had computers.
-
Secondly, his
pictures are not simply the well composed flower, fruit, landscape,
nude or portrait studies. His pictures are so imaginative and
once seen, form an impression not easily forgotten. They have
stood the test of time, since many of his most valued pictures were
created over 50 years ago.
The first
time 'The London Salon Trophy', a much-coveted
International award for artistic photography had ever been awarded for
a colour photograph (printed
from a Kodachrome
transparency) was for 'Spirit
of Spring' in 1967. John was not only the
youngest salon member ever to have received it, but it was also the
very first time a transparency and a negative appeared on the same film
emulsion. Although technically extraordinary, it is more
importantly a very fine work of art.
Spirit of
Spring
Beauty is
John’s
discovery was based on simply photographing projected images that were
not always projected on to a screen and the chosen screen often became
the subject of the picture; John has photographed projected images on
to a feather, a flower, a shell, a butterfly wing, and even on to the
edges of the pages of a book!
Madam
Butterfly
Preacher
He built up
a collection of around 75 studies that led to over 20 One-Man
Exhibitions of his photographs (some
sponsored by Kodak) in New York,
London, The Edinburgh Festival and many other UK & USA
Cities. At Photo Expo (famous
photographers were lucky to have 3 pictures included at 'Photo Expo
68') but a wall of over 60 pictures
was devoted to John.
"..regarded as one of
Britain's most original photographers"
The Times.
"A
woman's face was exquisitely metamorphosed with the cup of a yellow
tulip - a Femme - Fleur Picasso might have perpetrated had he taken to
photography”
Arts
Revue.
A number of newspaper and photographic magazine articles were published
and his art even attracted the attention of such famous names as Cecil
Beaton
C.B.E.,
Sir William Russell Flint
R.A.,
Sir George F. Pollock
Bt., M.A.,
and Lady Clementine Spencer Churchill amongst many others.
Evidence
- See Press Cuttings & Letters
Flower
Maiden
Sea
Nymph's
Mirror
John has
openly explained that he often starts with an idea and then experiments
with various images, but sometimes something unforeseen happened, that
sends him down a totally fresh route to create a very different picture
than the one he originally planned, often it has been these
'inspired accidents' that have since turned out to
be his most valued artworks.
Recently a young art critic wrote "John
Neville Cohen's artwork incorporates several genres--ready-made objects,
digital photography and Impressionist style of light painting - to
create a striking and surreal effect that has a strong impact upon the
viewer”
Claudia Moscovici.
"Indeed, since the
photographic image is made by the action of light, truth to light is
truth to the medium of photography! All John Cohen's photographs are
made, simply and solely, by the use of light. His magic is the magic of
the luminous; his poetry is that of the chiaroscuro. The attractions of
his work is all the greater for the purity of the photographic
technique, and its appeal all the more universal for being couched in
an imagery common to all men and intelligible to
all”.
Sir
George F. Pollock
Bt.,
M.A., F.R.P.S., F.R.S.A.
(Past president of The Royal Photographic Society
1978).
Kodak New York Press Release 1968
John
started promoting his high quality limited edition prints only since he
retired and in a relatively short period of time, he has acquired quite
a following on LinkedIn, Facebook, and at various other art sites on
the Internet, like Flickr, where so many have chosen his pictures as 'favourites'.
"I
love these, John. Can imagine them large scale in a white room - would
look fantastic!"
Rachel
Glittenberg
Facebook
"Hi John, I am so pleased to have come across your page, your work is
sensationally sophisticated and so softly intense, you have a unique
personal talent for expressing visually moments of being and emotional
journeys, sincerest congratulations on your excellent artistic
technique, xx you are such a talent
John" Monica Martinelli-Richmond Facebook
"Stunning image! Your work is amazing! Your
work is extraordinary and very inspirational!" emellin66
Flickr
"really beautiful and magical. love the composition."
Galerie-Morgenstern
Flickr
With so much success in the
1960’s one might well wonder why John is not by now far
better known. There is a reason; John was involved in the
family business, running an independent chain of specialist cinemas; he
had become a director, having started as a projectionist, and was
responsible for the 'front of house' publicity and
he really enjoyed the business he was in. His photography in
those days, even with all the success he had, was still simply his
hobby!
Later, with family commitments and so many more business demands, his
photography was put aside. Although when the family business
was sold, because of the impact of video and large rent increases, he
set up and ran a commercial photographic and design studio. John also gave a number of lectures to various photographic societies,
in the early days, explaining exactly how he achieved his
results. His lectures were in great demand and he always had
a good reception. Not only were most attending very
enthusiastic, but even years later, hardly anyone has produced anything
as interesting as his studies. John also made this
information freely available on his website in his article titled 'The
Magic Lantern'.
Roller
John is now well
over 80 and is still currently creating pictures (one
of the latest is 'Roller' created partly digitally). His
pictures certainly cause interest, adding a bright new dimension to any
wall. So sophisticated, always a talking point, appealing to all age
groups.
Montmartre
One must
not
forget that John's reality photography is outstanding too (as
can be seen in 'Montmartre') and
some of these are also published as limited edition prints.
For serious art buyers and art lovers there are still some of the
prints for sale. To buy an artwork by John, it is still possible to
purchase a print, although they are limited to only 8 of each
picture. Not yet one of the big names, but these pictures do
have great investment potential and now is the best time for astute
buyers to buy.
"Art
Galleries refer to me as a photographer,
but photographers refer to me
as an Artist!"
John Neville Cohen.
Keywords:
John Neville Cohen, Projection Photography, Art, Artworks, Contemporary,
Impressionist, Photographer, Limited Edition, Painting with Light, Special
Effects, Photographic Technique, Pictures, Photo Expo, Kodak, Kodachrome, Visual
Arts.
For Much
More About John: -
John Neville
Cohen’s web
https://www.jncohen.net/Limited-Edition-Prints/index.htm
Reviews and Exhibitions https://www.jncohen.net/Limited-Edition-Prints/Reviews.htm
Sir George Pollock Introduction https://www.jncohen.net/Limited-Edition-Prints/Introduction.htm
YouTube
John talks about
'Painting with Light' https://www.youtube.com/user/jncohen40
LinkedIn
https://es.linkedin.com/in/johnncohen
Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/john_n_cohen/sets/72157623122863068/
Twitter https://twitter.com/JohnNCohen
Google + https://plus.google.com/107808225484043549125/about
Interviews:
Artpromotive
Feb 2012
Leap
May 2012
Facebook Fan Page https://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/Painting-With-Light/208903157734
Fine Art America https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/john-neville-cohen.html
John
Cohen’s
websites: -
Asian Antiques, Photography and Classic Cars https://www.jncohen.net
Antique Reference: Japanese Netsuke, Inro, Chinese Snuff Bottles,
Pendants, Jade https://www.jncohen.com
History of Jacey
Cinemas Ltd and Joseph Cohen
https://www.jncohen.net/JaceyGroup/JosephCohen.htm
A Very Special
Stamp Collecting Album
https://www.jncohen.net/Stamp-Collecting/index.htm
Classic Jensen
Cars from the early 1960's
https://www.jncohen.net/Jensen.htm
Painting with Light
https://www.jncohen.net/Limited-Edition-Prints
John
Neville
Cohen’s contact details https://www.jncohen.net/Contact.htm
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