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John Hubbard

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John Hubbard

This commission marks a return by Hubbard to the Dorset coastline, a theme that played a central part in his work during the 1960's. Here Hubbard has chosen Cogden Mere that lies just left of Chesil Beach along the edge of Lyme Bay. It is a place he has known intimately for many years, making regular visits to reflect on the infinitely varied light, the mood of the sea, changing colours of the reed beds, grassland, shingle beach and sea throughout the year.

The two canvases combine to form one continuous image reflecting the Mere at it's sunniest and most beguiling, as uplifting to the spirit as a walk there in full sunlight amidst the beauty of nature.

Although using the traditional colour palette of the landscape painter, Hubbard does not try to recreate landscape in its conventional sense, but rather to paint its essence. There is as much emphasis on such qualities as mood, feeling and light as on the suggestion of the actual forms of nature.

John Hubbard was born in the USA, but moved to the UK in the 1960's. Designer of the hospital's award winning Bird Garden (1990), he has exhibited extensively, has work in many prestigious collections and has gained a reputation of international renown. Unfortunately John passed away in January 2017.

This commission was part of the ' Bringing the Outside In' project and was funded through an arts Council England Lottery Award.

Photo courtesy of Simon Nobes

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