LINCOLN TOWNLEY

Lincoln Townley worked in nightclubs entertaining bankers and financiers on nights out in London’s Soho into the early hours from 2005 to 2010. Townley was completely consumed by his environment, this lead to him painting the clients he looked after and hiding these pictures under his bed in his small flat Old Compton Street, ashamed of the images which were emerging. In 2012, Townley exploded on the art scene with his works which are fueled with his fascination with what successful and powerful people are willing to go through to succeed.

As a visual poet of violence, Lincoln Townley’s figurative paintings capture the darker side of the human experience and apprehend it within recognizable gestures and a menacing palette. Having participated in the 2019 Venice Biennale, with exhibitions in New York City, London, Los Angeles, Berlin, and Singapore, the highly successful self-represented artist creates looming images of the foulest gradients of our soul. His ability to capture the darkness of his sitters has made him a portraitist of several celebrities such as Al Pacino, John Cleese and Russel Brand, while still working in parallel collections that encompass the experience of contemporary malice. After having found solace in the work of artists like Francis Bacon and Edvard Munch, his art continues to reclaim the experience of confrontation and doubt, as when looking into a stained reflection, unsure—and scared—if what we just saw is indeed our own spectral image.

Sotheby’s (London) have written that “Lincoln Townley’s figurative paintings are fictive portrayals drawn entirely from the artist’s imagination. The head and shoulders portraits depict be-suited businessmen sporting viscerally painted faces that loom out of abyssal backdrops and emerge directly into our own space. They are an evocative depiction of greed within the world’s financial institutions and the ‘money men’ behind them. Townley’s unwitting subjects are those who go out of their way to do the things that unsuccessful people are unwilling or unable to do.

Akin to Francis Bacon’s radical distortions of the human figure, Townley’s own figures make manifest the existential turmoil of our Twenty-First Century moment. Each Banker portrait represents the power, rapacity and influence of a financial institution – reflecting, in many cases, the unstoppable will of the individuals driving the unchecked growth.”

In recent years, Townley has gained significant recognition within the contemporary art world, establishing himself as one of the most exciting emerging talents. His work has garnered increasing attention for its emotional depth and bold visual style, blending elements of portraiture and abstraction to capture the psyche of his subjects. Over the last decade, Townley’s paintings have risen considerably in value, reflecting both his growing reputation and the demand for his work. His unique approach to portraiture, which captures the internal struggles and triumphs of his subjects, has resonated with collectors and art enthusiasts alike.

Townley’s success in the art market has been underscored by remarkable auction results, particularly at the prestigious Sotheby’s auction houses in London and New York. His paintings have achieved impressive prices, with many works surpassing expectations and setting new records for contemporary British artists. The auction results have solidified Townley’s position as one of the most sought-after contemporary artists, and his pieces are increasingly regarded as both valuable investments and significant contributions to the ongoing evolution of modern portraiture. Sotheby’s has become a key player in promoting Townley’s work to international collectors, further cementing his place in the upper echelons of contemporary art.

The evolution of Townley’s career is a testament to his growing influence in the art world, and his works continue to attract widespread attention. As his reputation continues to rise, his ability to channel the complexities of his subjects with such striking visual intensity ensures that his paintings will remain in high demand for years to come.