A new collection of works by internationally collected and Cotswolds based artist John Lendis, inspired by his local and infamous ‘beast’. Nicknamed ‘The Beast of Burford’, there have been frequent sightings over the last few years of a suspected large panther stalking the beautiful and unspoiled landscape of The Cotswolds. Rumours and theories abound, with some pointing to the possibility of escaped wild cats whilst others suggest origins of a more supernatural nature. John’s unique combination of painting styles creates a dream like setting for this series of work, where The Beast inhabits different locations around the Cotswolds, including Ablington, Bledington, Idbury and Burford. The collection seeks to pay homage to the juxtaposition of a wild mysterious beast against a landscape of tame Cotswolds perfection. 

John has always taken a keen interest in mythology, fantasy and particularly folklore, for the most part because of its potent powers to shape our understanding of the world around us, as well as how such tales and stories can captivate, inspire, and take on a life of their own. This new collection of paintings and drawings is the culmination of a distillation of thoughts, residing somewhere on the edge of fantasy and imagination, a theme found so readily in John’s work. John's artistic career spans over 50 years and at this stage he finds himself drawn to producing works centred around the most magical wildlife from this area; foxes, hares and now the some what more mysterious ‘Beast’. 

This new collection will be availbe online and in the gallery from Saturday the 24th of June.