LINDSAY JOHN
LINDSAY JOHN

Lindsay John
Freelance Artist, Lecturer & Performance Artist

Lindsay John graduated in England with a Surrey Diploma in Fine Art Painting in 1974 and a BA Hons Degree in Fine Art Sculpture in 1980. In 1981 he moved to Scotland to pursue new directions in art combining aspects of sculpture, painting, performance & dance, costume design & colour. In 1984 he was commissioned by the NATIONAL GALLERIES OF SCOTLAND to design and construct costumes for the performance “Themes for Creation” presented at the opening of the new GALLERY OF MODERN ART, Edinburgh as part of the exhibition “Creation Modern Art & Nature”.

In 1986 Lindsay founded CATALYST Performing Arts Company, bringing together artists from different disciplines to facilitate an experimental ferment and cross fertilisation to take place within performance events. CATALYST performed extensively throughout Edinburgh, then in Glasgow and Dundee.

In 1987 Lindsay was commissioned to create a performance for the opening of SAM AINSLEY’s exhibition “Why I choose Red” at the THIRD EYE CENTRE, Glasgow and was invited as guest tutor on an environmental / performance course for GLASGOW SCHOOL OF ART’s Culzean Summer School. 

1987: Lindsay undertook a research project to Japan with the assistance of the Scottish Arts Council bursary. The Japan project was to gain first-hand experience from the best performers, exemplifying, developing or teaching new approaches to dance mainly within the genre termed ‘Butoh’. Also to attend the classes / workshops of Kazuo Ohno, master dancer, teacher and co-founder of the Butoh movement. While in Japan Lindsay was invited to perform his work ‘Red Tape’ in the HINOEMATA PERFORMANCE FESTIVAL and in Tokyo and Hachinohe. 

On his return to Britain he premiered his new thematic dance work “Before Form” in London at the Findburgh Theatre and the ICA, which subsequently toured in Britain, Singapore, Spain and Japan. He also began collaboration with the music company TEST DEPARTMENT which continued with the renamed company NVA. Lindsay was instrumental in shaping, through costume, the May Day BELTANE FIRE celebrations on Calton Hill, Edinburgh with TEST DEPARTMENT’s Ministry of Power which has grown to be a major annual event in the Edinburgh calendar.

1989: Commissioned by the NATIONAL REVIEW OF LIVE ART to create a dance installation which was performed over a period of four hours at the Third Eye Centre.

1990: Choreographed for TEST DEPARTMENT’s “The Second Coming”, an immense industrial choreography in the largest performance space in Britain at St Rollox Locomotive Works, Springburn. A Glasgow City of Culture commission.

1991: Collaboration with the BRITISH COUNCIL, Lindsay performed the VALLADOLID INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THEATRE in Spain and at the KAWAGUCHI WORLD FESTIVAL FUSION in Japan. He also performed in collaboration with Welsh company MANACT for the JAPAN FESTIVAL ’91 at Chapter Theatre, Cardiff and Canary Wharf, London.

1992: Lindsay was instrumental in producing the major dance event FORCE MAJEUR for the TRAMWAY / MAYFEST programme, Glasgow. The event presented a triple bill of radical new dance, in consortium with Laini Chrismas and Life Dance, which included the premiere of Lindsay’s new work “Wa! All the Worlds of God”. 

1993: Artist in Residence at GLASGOW SCHOOL OF ART conducting workshops with Fine Art Painting students. Among other visiting lecturer / workshop positions have been at EDINBURGH SCHOOL OF ART, RSAMD, Glasgow and CHISENHALE DANCE SPACE, London. Complementing his choreographic work has been an on-going commitment to educational work, teaching in a variety of settings. 

1994: After a sabbatical period Lindsay began creating work again with an invitation to perform a site-specific dance piece at the CRISALIDE FESTIVAL, Bertinoro, Italy and to be Artist in Residence at the CCA conducting workshops and creating the performance “New Work” (part 1). Lindsay then collaborated with internationally renowned designer Maria Blaisse together lending a “Material, Body & Movement” workshop residency for the FRUITMARKET GALLERY, Edinburgh. 

1995: Commissioned by “SHINE ON GLASGOW” UZ Productions to create a work for the Buchanan Street ‘Christmas Tree’ metal tower structure and for this he re-launched CATALYST Performing Arts. Earlier that year Lindsay performed in Paris as part of the ‘TACTEL in PARIS’ fashion show by Du Pont, which was directed by MANACT.

1996, 97, 98: Artistic Director and founder of the MIDSUMMER CARNIVAL, a CATALYST Performing Arts production staged as part of the WEST END FESTIVAL programme. Director, costume designer and maker for the CATALYST Costume Band productions therein: ‘Four Seasons’, ‘Heaven & Hell’, ‘Chroma Zone’ (the first two in collaboration with artist Alex Rigg) and finally ‘Eclipse’ for the LORD PROVOST procession in 1999. Founding member of the SCOTTISH CARNIVAL ARTS CONSORTIUM.

1998 – 2006: Lecturer to Portfolio & HNC students in Art & Design and Performing Arts at Ayr College, Dam Park, Ayr. Specialising subject: Life Drawing After which worked as a freelance Artist & Lecturer & Installation Performance Artist

2007: Solo Installation Performances works: ‘Autumn’ WASPS Studios 30th Anniversary 2007 & ‘101 WALKS’ in collaboration with musicians Eddy McGuire & Hooi Ling Eng: KELVINGROVE GALLERIES & MUSEUM ’08 (West End Festival associated)

2008: Company commissioned works include; Concept design & Development for NVA organisation ‘Shadow House’ environmental installation in ‘Glow’ Festival, Newcastle ‘06. Artist in Residence, Physical Training & Costume Design Workshop Leader for BELTANE FIRE SOCIETY performers ’08. Artistic Designer, Performance & Choreographic Direction for MISCHIEF LA-BAS ‘Peeping at Bosch’ – Tramway ’08

2009: World Premiere of ‘The Simplicity of Grasping Air’ Lindsay John Butoh solo installation performance with Soundscape by Alex Rigg & Moving Image by Jane McInally at DANCE BASE -EDINBURGH FESTIVAL Fringe Programme 6 - 10 August 2009 (Supported by a Scottish Arts Council Creative Development Award and Dance Base Residency)

2010: With retirement from mainly Performance based works and with the acquisition of an Artists Studio marks Lindsay’s long desired return to the Fine Art arena, starting with Experimental Drawing as his primal point of departure.

2010 to present… Practicing Fine Artist in both 2D & 3D Mixed Media works @ Wasps Studios, Hanson Street, Glasgow.

Lindsay John
Freelance Artist, Lecturer & Performance Artist

Lindsay John graduated in England with a Surrey Diploma in Fine Art Painting in 1974 and a BA Hons Degree in Fine Art Sculpture in 1980. In 1981 he moved to Scotland to pursue new directions in art combining aspects of sculpture, painting, performance & dance, costume design & colour. In 1984 he was commissioned by the NATIONAL GALLERIES OF SCOTLAND to design and construct costumes for the performance “Themes for Creation” presented at the opening of the new GALLERY OF MODERN ART, Edinburgh as part of the exhibition “Creation Modern Art & Nature”.

In 1986 Lindsay founded CATALYST Performing Arts Company, bringing together artists from different disciplines to facilitate an experimental ferment and cross fertilisation to take place within performance events. CATALYST performed extensively throughout Edinburgh, then in Glasgow and Dundee.

In 1987 Lindsay was commissioned to create a performance for the opening of SAM AINSLEY’s exhibition “Why I choose Red” at the THIRD EYE CENTRE, Glasgow and was invited as guest tutor on an environmental / performance course for GLASGOW SCHOOL OF ART’s Culzean Summer School. 

1987: Lindsay undertook a research project to Japan with the assistance of the Scottish Arts Council bursary. The Japan project was to gain first-hand experience from the best performers, exemplifying, developing or teaching new approaches to dance mainly within the genre termed ‘Butoh’. Also to attend the classes / workshops of Kazuo Ohno, master dancer, teacher and co-founder of the Butoh movement. While in Japan Lindsay was invited to perform his work ‘Red Tape’ in the HINOEMATA PERFORMANCE FESTIVAL and in Tokyo and Hachinohe. 

On his return to Britain he premiered his new thematic dance work “Before Form” in London at the Findburgh Theatre and the ICA, which subsequently toured in Britain, Singapore, Spain and Japan. He also began collaboration with the music company TEST DEPARTMENT which continued with the renamed company NVA. Lindsay was instrumental in shaping, through costume, the May Day BELTANE FIRE celebrations on Calton Hill, Edinburgh with TEST DEPARTMENT’s Ministry of Power which has grown to be a major annual event in the Edinburgh calendar.

1989: Commissioned by the NATIONAL REVIEW OF LIVE ART to create a dance installation which was performed over a period of four hours at the Third Eye Centre.

1990: Choreographed for TEST DEPARTMENT’s “The Second Coming”, an immense industrial choreography in the largest performance space in Britain at St Rollox Locomotive Works, Springburn. A Glasgow City of Culture commission.

1991: Collaboration with the BRITISH COUNCIL, Lindsay performed the VALLADOLID INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THEATRE in Spain and at the KAWAGUCHI WORLD FESTIVAL FUSION in Japan. He also performed in collaboration with Welsh company MANACT for the JAPAN FESTIVAL ’91 at Chapter Theatre, Cardiff and Canary Wharf, London.

1992: Lindsay was instrumental in producing the major dance event FORCE MAJEUR for the TRAMWAY / MAYFEST programme, Glasgow. The event presented a triple bill of radical new dance, in consortium with Laini Chrismas and Life Dance, which included the premiere of Lindsay’s new work “Wa! All the Worlds of God”. 

1993: Artist in Residence at GLASGOW SCHOOL OF ART conducting workshops with Fine Art Painting students. Among other visiting lecturer / workshop positions have been at EDINBURGH SCHOOL OF ART, RSAMD, Glasgow and CHISENHALE DANCE SPACE, London. Complementing his choreographic work has been an on-going commitment to educational work, teaching in a variety of settings. 

1994: After a sabbatical period Lindsay began creating work again with an invitation to perform a site-specific dance piece at the CRISALIDE FESTIVAL, Bertinoro, Italy and to be Artist in Residence at the CCA conducting workshops and creating the performance “New Work” (part 1). Lindsay then collaborated with internationally renowned designer Maria Blaisse together lending a “Material, Body & Movement” workshop residency for the FRUITMARKET GALLERY, Edinburgh. 

1995: Commissioned by “SHINE ON GLASGOW” UZ Productions to create a work for the Buchanan Street ‘Christmas Tree’ metal tower structure and for this he re-launched CATALYST Performing Arts. Earlier that year Lindsay performed in Paris as part of the ‘TACTEL in PARIS’ fashion show by Du Pont, which was directed by MANACT.

1996, 97, 98: Artistic Director and founder of the MIDSUMMER CARNIVAL, a CATALYST Performing Arts production staged as part of the WEST END FESTIVAL programme. Director, costume designer and maker for the CATALYST Costume Band productions therein: ‘Four Seasons’, ‘Heaven & Hell’, ‘Chroma Zone’ (the first two in collaboration with artist Alex Rigg) and finally ‘Eclipse’ for the LORD PROVOST procession in 1999. Founding member of the SCOTTISH CARNIVAL ARTS CONSORTIUM.

1998 – 2006: Lecturer to Portfolio & HNC students in Art & Design and Performing Arts at Ayr College, Dam Park, Ayr. Specialising subject: Life Drawing After which worked as a freelance Artist & Lecturer & Installation Performance Artist

2007: Solo Installation Performances works: ‘Autumn’ WASPS Studios 30th Anniversary 2007 & ‘101 WALKS’ in collaboration with musicians Eddy McGuire & Hooi Ling Eng: KELVINGROVE GALLERIES & MUSEUM ’08 (West End Festival associated)

2008: Company commissioned works include; Concept design & Development for NVA organisation ‘Shadow House’ environmental installation in ‘Glow’ Festival, Newcastle ‘06. Artist in Residence, Physical Training & Costume Design Workshop Leader for BELTANE FIRE SOCIETY performers ’08. Artistic Designer, Performance & Choreographic Direction for MISCHIEF LA-BAS ‘Peeping at Bosch’ – Tramway ’08

2009: World Premiere of ‘The Simplicity of Grasping Air’ Lindsay John Butoh solo installation performance with Soundscape by Alex Rigg & Moving Image by Jane McInally at DANCE BASE -EDINBURGH FESTIVAL Fringe Programme 6 - 10 August 2009 (Supported by a Scottish Arts Council Creative Development Award and Dance Base Residency)

2010: With retirement from mainly Performance based works and with the acquisition of an Artists Studio marks Lindsay’s long desired return to the Fine Art arena, starting with Experimental Drawing as his primal point of departure.

2010 to present… Practicing Fine Artist in both 2D & 3D Mixed Media works @ Wasps Studios, Hanson Street, Glasgow.