INFORMATION THAT MIGHT HELP PREPARE A PRESS
RELEASE
John Neville Cohen’s remarkable photography is a canvas painted with
curiosity, innovation, and a love for the extraordinary. His artistry
transcends traditional photography, inspiring viewers with his unique and
captivating approach.
A World First Known for
his iconic photography ‘Spirit of Spring’ created by using his own
innovative technique of ‘painting with light’. By blending a portrait
transparency with a negative image of a red tulip on the same Kodachrome
emulsion, he achieved a captivating and harmonious composition. The
interplay of light and form in this work evokes a sense of magic and
wonder, making it one of his most celebrated creations.
Unlike
digital manipulation, his method relied solely on light and film to create
mesmerizing images. In the 1960s, Cohen developed his own special effects
using Kodachrome colour reversal film avoiding any digital software or
darkroom chemistry.
Cohen has held over 20 one-man major
exhibitions across cities like New York, London, and Edinburgh. His
technique was a true innovation in photography.
John’s technique
involves photographing projected images, but not necessarily onto a
screen. His portfolio includes stunning photographs that evoke emotions
and intrigue. His images resonate universally, appealing to all who
appreciate the purity of this photographic technique. His limited-edition
prints continue to captivate art enthusiasts.
In summary, John
Neville Cohen’s ‘painting with light’ technique where he masterfully
blends light and form, is a remarkable blend of creativity, pure
photography, and visual storytelling. His special effects incorporate
projectors, crystals, and reflections, adding layers of complexity defying
expectations and inviting viewers to engage with his sophisticated art.
Cohen’s projection photography is a testament to creativity,
innovation, and the timeless allure of light and imagery.
While
search algorithms may not always highlight specific artists, his work has
been a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by those who appreciate the
magic of light and imagery.
Profile: John Neville Cohen, a
multifaceted photographic artist and collector, defies categorization. His
creative endeavours span projection photography, where he masterfully
blends light and form, to his passion for collecting Asian antiques and
classic Jensen cars. Additionally, he has contributed to the world by
publishing ‘The History of Jacey Cinemas’ and a unique stamp collecting
album for little people.
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PLEASE NOTE:
The following is written in the third person, because I have compiled this
from a number of previously published sources, so everything on this page
has been written, or said, by someone else, but I did not want to include
even more quotations, than I have already.
Evidence
- See Press Cuttings & Letters
What is Special About the Amazing Art of John Neville Cohen?
John Neville Cohen is really an artist who uses photography.
Photographer’s record reality and the best do that really well, but John
creates amazing fantasy from reality! His beautiful pictures
surprise, intrigue and make quite a statement!
" One of the essential differences between
the artist and the photographer is that the artist always starts with a
blank canvas, whereas the photographer's canvas 'The Viewfinder', or
screen, is always full!"
John Neville Cohen
There are three reasons why John’s art is so
special: -
-
Firstly,
he invented his own photographic ‘painting with light’ method (a
very different and original 'special effect' pure photographic
technique in the early 1960's) without using any computer,
darkroom chemicals, or expensive equipment, to create his unique top
international award-winning studies. This enabled him to produce
transparencies (mostly on Kodachrome) that amazed other
photographers, Kodak and all the experts at the time, well before
anyone had computers.
-
Secondly, his pictures are not simply the well composed flower, fruit,
landscape, nude or portrait studies. His pictures are so
imaginative and once seen, form an impression not easily forgotten.
They have stood the test of time since many of his most valued
pictures were created over 50 years ago.
The first time ‘The London Salon Trophy’, a much-coveted International
award for artistic photography had ever been awarded for a colour
photograph (printed from a Kodachrome transparency) was for 'Spirit
of Spring’ in 1967. John was not only the youngest salon member ever to
have received it, but it was also the very first time a transparency
positive and a negative, appeared on the same film emulsion. Although
technically extraordinary, it is more importantly a very fine work of
art.
Spirit of Spring
National Science and Media Museum
Bradford, West Yorkshire BD1 1NQ NSMM Research Library Book
database. Reference: 770.05.COH Author: Cohen, John Neville Title:
Painting With Light By Projection Photography: Pure Photography Using
Light & Film Self Published, Description: Essay and references to the
pioneering technique developed by John Neville Cohen, which enabled the
creation of ‘Spirit of Spring’, the first ever Kodachrome transparency
that had both a portrait and a negative image of a tulip, on the same
emulsion.
Beauty is
John’s discovery was based on simply photographing projected images that
were not always projected on to a screen and the chosen screen often
became the subject of the picture; John has photographed projected images
on to a feather, a flower, a shell, a butterfly wing, and even on to the
edges of the pages of a book!
Madam Butterfly
Preacher
He built up a collection of around 75 studies that led to over 20 One-Man
Exhibitions of his photographs (some sponsored by Kodak) in New
York, London, The Edinburgh Festival, and many other UK & USA Cities.
At Photo Expo (famous photographers were lucky to have 3 pictures
included at 'Photo Expo 68') but a wall of over 60 pictures was
devoted to John.
"..regarded as one of Britain's most original photographers"
The Times.
"A woman's face was exquisitely metamorphosed with the cup of a yellow
tulip - a Femme - Fleur Picasso might have perpetrated had he taken to
photography”
Arts Revue.
A number of newspaper and photographic magazine articles were published
and his art even attracted the attention of such famous names as Cecil
Beaton
C.B.E.,
Sir William Russell Flint
R.A.,
Sir George F. Pollock
Bt., M.A.,
and Lady Clementine Spencer Churchill amongst many others.
Evidence
- See Press Cuttings & Letters
Flower Maiden
Sea Nymph's Mirror
John has openly explained that he often starts with an idea and then
experiments with various images, but sometimes something unforeseen
happened, that sends him down a totally fresh route to create a very
different picture than the one he originally planned, often it has been
these ‘inspired accidents’ that have since turned out to be his most
valued artworks.
Recently a young art critic wrote "John N. Cohen's artwork incorporates
several genres--ready-made objects, digital photography, and Impressionist
style of light painting - to create a striking and surreal effect that has
a strong impact upon the viewer” Claudia Moscovici.
"Indeed, since the photographic image is made by the action of light,
truth to light is truth to the medium of photography! All John Cohen's
photographs are made, simply and solely, by the use of light. His magic is
the magic of the luminous; his poetry is that of the chiaroscuro. The
attractions of his work is all the greater for the purity of the
photographic technique, and its appeal all the more universal for being
couched in an imagery common to all men and intelligible to all”.
Sir George F. Pollock
Bt., M.A., F.R.P.S., F.R.S.A.
(Past President of The Royal Photography Society).
Kodak New York Press Release 1968
John started promoting his high-quality limited edition prints only since
he retired and in a relatively short period of time, he has acquired quite
a following on LinkedIn, Facebook, and at various other art sites on the
Internet, like Flickr, where so many have chosen his pictures as
'favourites'.
"I love these, John. Can imagine them large scale in a white room
- would look fantastic!" Rachel Glittenberg Facebook
"Hi John, I am so pleased to have
come across your page, your work is sensationally sophisticated and so
softly intense, you have a unique personal talent for expressing
visually moments of being and emotional journeys, sincerest
congratulations on your excellent artistic technique, xx
you are such a talent John" Monica
Martinelli-Richmond Facebook
"Stunning image! Your work is
amazing! Your work is extraordinary and very inspirational!" emellin66
Flickr
"really beautiful and magical. love the composition."
Galerie-Morgenstern Flickr
With so much success in the 1960’s one might well wonder why John is not
by now far better known. There is a reason; John was involved in the
family business, running an independent chain of specialist cinemas; he
had become a director, having started as a projectionist, and was
responsible for the ‘front of house’ publicity and he really enjoyed the
business he was in. His photography in those days, even with all the
success he had, was still simply his hobby!
Later with family commitments and so many more business demands, his
photography was put aside. Although when the family business was sold,
because of the impact of video and large rent increases, he set up and ran
a commercial photographic and design studio. John also gave a number of
lectures to various photographic societies, in the early days, explaining
exactly how he achieved his results. His lectures were in great demand and
he always had a good reception. Not only were most attending very
enthusiastic, but even years later, hardly anyone has produced anything as
interesting as his studies. John also made this information freely
available on his website in his article titled 'The Magic Lantern'.
Roller
John is now well over 80 and is still currently creating pictures (one
of the latest is 'Roller'). His pictures certainly cause
interest, adding a bright new dimension to any wall. So
sophisticated, always a talking point, appealing to all age groups.
Montmartre
One must not forget that John's reality photography is outstanding too
(as can be seen in 'Montmartre') and some of these are also published
as limited-edition prints.
For serious art buyers and art lovers there are still some of the prints
for sale. To buy an artwork by John, it is still possible to purchase a
print, although they are limited to only 8 of each picture. Not yet
one of the big names, but these pictures do have great investment
potential and now is the best time for astute buyers to buy.
"Art Galleries refer to me as a photographer, but photographers refer
to me as an Artist!"
John Neville Cohen.
Keywords: #johnnevillecohen, #projectionphotography #limitededition #largeprints #paintingwithlight
#lightpainting #specialeffects #Kodachrome #photography #paintingwithlight
#film #portraits #johnnevillecohen #analoguephotography
#creativephotography #conceptual #surreal #dramatic #fantasy
#expressionist #artisticphotography #visualartsart #artworks #contemporary
#impressionist #photographer #technique, #pictures, #photoexpo, #kodak, #kodachrome,
For
Much More About John: -
John Neville Cohen’s web
https://www.jncohen.net/index.htm
Reviews and Exhibitions
Reviews.htm
Sir George Pollock Introduction
Introduction.htm
YouTube John talks about 'Painting with Light'
https://www.youtube.com/user/jncohen40
LinkedIn https://es.linkedin.com/in/johnncohen
Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/john_n_cohen/sets/72157623122863068/
Twitter https://twitter.com/JohnNCohen
Interviews:
Artpromotive Feb 2012
Leap May 2012
Facebook Fan Page
https://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/Painting-With-Light/208903157734
Fine Art America
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/john-neville-cohen.html
John Cohen’s websites: -
Asian Antiques, Photography and Classic Cars https://www.jncohen.net
Antique Reference: Japanese Netsuke, Inro, Chinese Snuff Bottles,
Pendants, Jade https://www.jncohen.com
History of Jacey Cinemas Ltd and Joseph Cohen
https://www.jncohen.net/JaceyGroup/JosephCohen.htm
A Very Special Stamp Collecting Album
https://www.jncohen.net/Stamp-Collecting/index.htm
Classic Jensen Cars from the early 1960's
https://www.jncohen.net/Jensen.htm
John Neville Cohen’s contact details
https://www.jncohen.net/Contact.htm
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