A PORT Glasgow artist and former Inverclyde teacher says he’s delighted to see his work going on public display for the very first time – at the age of 71.
John Moody’s photographs, prints and sketches showcasing four decades of the town and its life are on show at a Glasgow art gallery until the end of this month.
John says his work has the theme of the ‘River Clyde running throughout it’, with all of the artwork being inspired by photographs overlooking Port Glasgow taken from the artist's window, capturing the town, the Firth of Clyde and beyond.
The drawings and prints are a recording of John’s ‘response to the ever-changing landscape of his home.
The former teacher worked at three Inverclyde secondary schools before pursuing various other careers in politics, community development, and physical disability, as well as working with the Scottish Recovery Network to promote recovery from mental illness.
John said: “Through my work, I am able to celebrate the beauty of Inverclyde and the ever-changing area of Port Glasgow.”
“I am very lucky to have such a lovely view over the Firth of the Clyde, and I have been recording that view for over 30 years since I moved here.”
The Glasgow Print Studio in the Merchant City is hosting ‘Clyde Suite (Littoral Home)’ until August 31.
John has been taking photographs from his house in Barr’s Brae since 1987, with the most notable change to his view being the absence of the Goliath crane, which was demolished in 1997.
One of the artworks on display is a piece entitled Goliath, a screen print developed from a hand-drawn image of the former shipyard crane which incorporates some of Moody’s poetry.
After graduating from art college in 1976, John spent nine years as an art teacher in Inverclyde, working at St Stephen’s High School, Greenock High School and Wellington Academy.
He says that creating art is ‘one of the best things’ to support mental health, and has used his art as a form of communicating ‘powerful messages about well-being’, especially during the pandemic.
He said: “The pieces also act as a record of the Covid-19 lockdown, communicating the universal feeling of being trapped in our own homes as they all depict the outside world from behind the window.”
John says he is grateful to have the opportunity to showcase his work and the town he is proud to live in, he said: “I am finally able to celebrate my work and show that Inverclyde is a strong community with a rich history of shipbuilding which lies in front of a stunning landscape of the river and the hills beyond,
“I am able to show off the beauty that this place has to offer.”
The exhibition will run until August 31 and is free to attend during the gallery’s opening hours of 10am-5.30pm, Tuesday to Saturday.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here