John Monks has been described as one of Britain’s finest figurative painters whose works can be found in many prestigious collections such as the Metropolitan in New York and the V and A in London. In this episode, he talks about the history behind his two studios, why he’s fascinated with dilapidated interior rooms, how he “inhabits” his paintings, how he sees each painting as creating a series of problems that have to be resolved, and the process by which he manages to create atmosphere in his works suggesting the passage of time.

John Monks talking with Bob Chaundy

Accompanying images on consideringart.com

Study After Velazquez, 1990

Sound, 2024

Heat, 2018/19

Path, 2024

All images bar Suitcase are ©John Monks and courtesy Long and Ryle.

John Monks’s exhibition Palette is showing at Long and Ryle 23 October – 10 January 2025

Music: Ibiza by MBB | https://soundcloud.com/mbbofficial