Fletcher Sibthorp

Fletcher Sibthorp
Sibthorp in his studio
Born	7 March 1967 Hertfordshire England
Nationality	British
Education	Kingston University
Known for	Painter
Movement	Figurative
Awards	Communication Arts Certificates of Excellence; Winner 2006 ABT (Fine Art Guild) John Solomon Award for Best Selling Artist

Fletcher Sibthorp (born 7 March 1967) is a British artist based in London, England. He is predominantly known for his large-scale figurative pieces, mostly in oil and usually depicting movement in the form of dance; ranging from contemporary dance through to classical ballet and flamenco. His work is housed in both private and corporate collections, mostly in the United Kingdom and Japan. He has painted several key figures in the world of dance, notably Royal Ballet principals Darcey Bussell, Sarah Lamb, Miyako Yoshida and Alina Cojocaru, and the flamenco performers, Joaquín Cortés, Eva Yerbabuena and Sara Baras.

Fletcher Sibthorp was born in Bricket Wood, Hertfordshire, England and studied Illustration at Kingston University (then known as Kingston Polytechnic), graduating with Honours in 1989. During his studies there and immediately following graduation, Sibthorp developed a keen interest in exploring the idea of movement and its subsequent effect on the human form, usually experimenting in oil. His key influences at that time were the British painters Francis Bacon and Frank Auerbach, as well as artists Gustav Klimt and Edgar Degas.

Movement, its effect on the human form and sport

Although he worked to a large format, many of his earlier commissions were for nevertheless for book jackets, magazine articles and corporate brochures. He persisted, however, in experimenting outside of commissioned work, predominantly in the area of sport and in 1992, his efforts culminated in his first solo show, entitled ‘In Motion’, at the Stable Gallery, Wandsworth, London. Five large scale pieces from this show, portrayals of gymnasts and athletes, were acquired by a Private Sports Club for their flagship club in the City (of London), as a permanent collection.