Artist profile

John Duffin originally comes from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. Before pursuing a career as a painter and printmaker Duffin worked as a Naval Architect in a shipyard. He enrolled into Goldsmiths College in 1985 before moving onto Central St. Martins to undertake an MA in Printmaking.

Duffin has held many solo shows and is regularly selected for the RA's Summer Exhibition.

The scenes he captures display the rhythm and humanity of urban life, the prints depicting cities full of life and energy, transforming the city into a character in its own right. Duffin’s work can be strongly recognised as neo-noir by his use of use of deep black shadows, striking architecture and extreme angles. This cinematic approach to his practice enables him to portray personality in these images. He imagines himself as the “silent onlooker”, devouring the poetry created through the movement of the city.