26 museomag 03 ‘ 2022 “ONE PICTURE CAN FORM THE BASIS FOR SEVERAL PAINTINGS” (1/2) A PEEK INTO THE WORLD OF LUXEMBOURG-BASED ARTIST JKB FLETCHER Born in Solihull, England, and a graduate of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, Scotland, JKB Fletcher has made a name for himself in Luxembourg with his photorealistic, often monochromatic oil pain- tings depicting nature, from water and mountains to forests. Earlier this year, the museum acquired a triptych from one of his most recent series, Abundance. The series focuses on forests and features a variety of woodland landscapes, all rendered in different hues of black and white paint. The lines of the trees and the leaves are blurry and somewhat reminiscent of faded black and white photographs. Only when viewed from a certain distance do the brushstrokes and layers of paint come together as a whole, revealing the image of a forest – and a highly realistic one at that. You almost feel like you’re standing in the middle of the woods, looking up towards a leafy crown or standing among the tall trunks and their wide branches. You might even hear the leaves rustle in the wind and feel the light make its way through the dense foliage of the trees. After living in the UK, the US and Australia, JKB Fletcher has been living and working in Luxembourg for almost ten years. I caught up with the artist at his new studio at 1535° Creative Hub in Differdange and spoke with him about his practice, the ways in which he contributes to the ongoing conversation in art and the difficulties of establishing himself as a young artist in a new country. FLETCHER’S PAINTING PROCESS When I arrive at JKB Fletcher’s studio, what strikes me instantly is how neat and tidy it is. He laughs and ex- plains that I’m not the first person to comment on this. Like his paintings and his personality, Fletcher’s studio conveys a sense of calmness and clarity. A few months ago, he moved into a bigger studio at 1535° Creative Hub, which has finally given the works the space they need to breathe and him the space to assess them properly. JKB Fletcher in conversation with Lis Hausemer, assistant curator (MNHA), during a visit of his studio at Differdange’s 1535° Creative Hub. © éric chenal