Fletcher Sibthorp

Fletcher Sibthorp was born in Hertfordshire in 1967. After completing a foundation course at Hertfordshire College of Art, he undertook an Honours Degree in Graphic Design and Illustration at Kingston University, graduating in 1989. Fletcher has worked as a full time artist for the past twenty years, producing work in the commercial market as well as for private and corporate collectors.

 

When Fletcher started his career he was attracted to portraying the concept of movement and the effect of this movement on the human form. This led onto his interest in sport and some of his first works of abstract works depicting gymnasts and athletes that eventually culminated in the exhibition ‘In Motion’, which premiered in London in 1992. Sadler Wells approached him in 1995 to produce a painting for the Flamenco dance troupe Paco Pena. The movement and expressive quality of Fletcher’s work complimented the passion of Flamenco and he was immediately drawn to the energy of the dance leading to further works dedicated to this theme.

 

More recently Fletcher has become more interested in the figure alone. The faces of his subjects are simple but express emotion; a contemplative gaze, a moment of deep thought, something fleeting and yet shared.

His limited editions are published in very low numbers and often sell-out within weeks. Many are now highly sought after on the secondary market. He was voted winner of the 2006-2007 ‘Best-Selling Images Poll’ by 200 galleries specialising in limited edition prints                

Fletcher's career has flourished with commissions from prestigious companies such as BP, British Airways, British Telecom and Sony Records. His work has twice appeared on the cover of The Evening Standard and The Royal Shakespeare Company has commissioned him on a number of occasions. His work has adorned the pages of biographies for both Bertrand Russell and Virginia Woolf and appeared on covers of numerous books and record albums.

Fletcher's work is greatly admired by many well qualified to judge and his record of successes is impressive. He has won six competitions including the Association of Illustrators title on three occasions and six separate Awards of Excellence.