Spotlight with Lincoln Townley

British artist Lincoln Townley is noted for his passionate and expressive figurative paintings. In his own words, Townley's dark and often tormented vision aims to portray "the chaos simmering just beneath the surface of our existence, which drive our impulses to strive and win in life." His brushstrokes and surfaces are rough and turbulent, reflecting Townley's confidence and fearlessness as an artist in the face of personal challenges. He was born in London, England, on December 27, 1972, and is primarily self-taught. After becoming sober and quitting his job as a nightclub promoter, he turned to painting and has credited his background as a source of inspiration for his early work, which has been collected by Charlie Sheen, Al Pacino, and Russell Brand. He has shown internationally, including the National Gallery, the Royal Academy, Somerset House and the Saatchi gallery.

Townley’s paintings are filled with hints of tension and violence, as well as the complexities of fame. He has painted anonymous screaming faces with gaping mouths, as well as celebrities like Michael Caine and Clint Eastwood in lysergic tie-dye landscapes or intense neon grids. Townley is inspired by the works of artists such as Francis Bacon and Edvard Munch.