Title: Liminal 65cm x 95 cm Mixed media on board	Title: Standing Mixed media on board 55cm x 105cm	Title: Vessel Pigment and acrylic on paper 60cm x 90cm

John Keys (1970) studied at Liverpool John Moores University, graduating in Fine Art (1993). Landscape has always been his starting point and this prompted his move from London to Cornwall in 1996. He maintained a studio practice in North Cornwall for nine years. He currently lives and works in Penzance.
Since 2003 John has been a resident artist at the Dakhleh Oasis Archaeological Project in south west Egypt, where he has a studio. John has travelled widely, particularily in Africa, which has influenced his work greatly.

‘The natural world has always been the starting point of my work. Through abstract painting I try to explore the essence of place, examining the physical and metaphysical qualities of the environments I experience. It has been a dual investigation into self and place, an inquiry into physical, emotional and spiritual realms.
My continuing focus is how human experience can be explored through the study of landscape and the language of painting. It is an investigation of boundaries, emotions and elements. Studying the forms and colours within a landscape, or looking at the erosive and regenerative affects of sun, wind, and rain are means by which I can analyse the rhythm of my own life. It is a process in which vulnerability, longing and exhilaration are all present; an externalization of the struggle to achieve a balance between transience and permanence, absence and presence, spontaneity and control.’

Gallery Exhibitions
Revolver, Second Exposure, PZ Gallery (profiled artist) 2007
Lineage, Newlyn Art Gallery. (NSA Group show) 2007
Cornwall Contemporary, Penzance, (Group shows) 2007
Unquiet Earth, NSA at St Ives. (Group show) 2007
Men an Tol, Macmillan show Hotel Bristol, Newquay 2006
Imitate Gallery, Manchester. (Group show) 2006
Tregagon valley, Kelly College, Tavistock. (Two person show) 2005
Padstow Contemporary Art Gallery, Cornwall (Group show) 2005
Imitate Gallery, Manchester. (Group show) 2005
Rock Institute, Cornwall.(Group show) 2004
Padstow Contemporary Art Gallery, Cornwall (Group show) 2004
Lander gallery, Truro. (Group show) 2003
Lempa Studios, Cyprus. (Solo show) 2003
Oceanic, Padstow Contemporary Gallery, Cornwall (Solo show) 2003
Twist Art and Design, London .(Group show) 2003
Bishop Phillpots Gallery,Truro. (Group show) 2002
Bishops Hill, Polzeath,Cornwall.(Solo show) 2002
The Affordable Art Fair, London. (Group show) 2002
Mullan Gallery, Belfast. (Group show) 2002, 2001
Square Gallery, St Mawes, Cornwall. (Group show) 2001
Kerlin Gallery, Belfast. (Group show) 2001

Commissions
‘Bone Idol’, short film, CAM, Region of culture. 2006
‘Paddles’ installation, SCYPF Directorate launch, Eden. 2006
‘The Crossing’ installation, Landings, DTC , Trebah Gardens. 2005
‘Catalan Autumn’ painting, Four Seasons Hotel, Hampshire.2005
‘Sand City’ installation, DTC Watergate Bay, Cornwall. 2004
Regeneration Banners, NCA Tintagel. 2005
Time of Gifts, installation, Eden. 2004

Residencies
Dakhleh Oasis Project, Egypt.2003,2004
Reflective Practioner, CSC, Arts Council South West 2003
Year of the Artist, NCDC, Arts Council South West 2000

Art Direction
For site specific art installations and performance.
MINED art installations, CME, Pool, Cornwall. 2007/8
Smoking chimneys, Imagineers, Carn Brea, Cornwall. 2007/8
The Tide has turned, Landings Trebah Gardens, Cornwall.2005
Going Under, Polperro Arts Festival. 2003
Boz Loan, NT, DA, Boscastle Midsummer festival. 2002