Philip Lofthouse
Article in the Romansh Newspaper La Quotidiana, January 2025
Translation (Romansh Sursilvan - English)
The Ordinary That Inspires
Recently, Philip Lofthouse showed new works at Löwenberg Castle in Schluein. The artist, who lives in Castrisch, spent two years reaching a new style. His abstract works demand a confrontation with feelings and human questions.
By AUGUSTIN BEELI/FMR
His works are not immediately accessible. Anyone looking for art that is “comprehensible” and “graspable” at first glance will not find that with Phil Lofthouse. His way of expressing himself demands confrontation. Artists who paint abstract works generally do not find it easy to attract the broad masses. The question of why he does this, why he chose that path, the 48-year-old answers as follows: “A work of art seeks out curious and interested people. My paintings want people to ask questions.” At his exhibition, which ended recently, people were able to do that. Phil Lofthouse exhibited four large paintings in the 150 × 150 cm format and eight smaller ones. He titled that exhibition at Löwenberg Castle in Schluein “Health and Safety.”
Feelings of fellow human beings
Last summer, on the occasion of the flag exhibition in Laax, Phil Lofthouse represented Foppa and the former judicial municipality of Schluein. He had received the commission to create one of the flags of the former judicial municipalities of the Grey League. The artist, who lives in Castrisch, created an abstract work in the elongated format of the flag. Together with the others, the work by Phil Lofthouse fluttered on one of the 20 masts at Lag Grond.
“It was a wonderful experience,” said Phil Lofthouse about that flag, which hung in Laax until the end of October. Artists must be able to interpret the feelings of other people, he concludes: “It’s my job to gather that and work it out in an artistic process,” he explains. For that reason, he cannot make “pleasant” pictures for everyone, but rather wants to express feelings and draw attention to events and facts. Recently, Phil Lofthouse invited people to visit his new exhibition at Löwenberg Castle. In it, he placed health and safety at the center: two important conditions that human beings long for.
A view of the castle
Almost four years ago, Phil Lofthouse was able to realize a dream he had had since settling in the Surselva: to work as a freelance artist. Together with other artists, he began to give new life to the castle in Schluein. From his home in Castrisch, where he lives with his family, he has that building in view.
And the subjects that Phil Lofthouse developed? Some he discovered in the old bathroom. The tiles, printed with a daisy motif: a symbol of chastity and love, guaranteeing cleanliness, marked for removal with a fluorescent orange spray. In this distinctive building, the artist is constantly confronted with walls with patterns: here a switch that was removed at some point and never replaced; there the outlines of a cable. Everywhere there are traces of work and changes to the fabric of the building. Löwenberg Castle is a permanent construction site; the activities of people inspired the artist for his work “Health and Safety.”
It was a process
The way he painted 30 years ago differs from his current style. In his project he has included Löwenberg Castle; unspectacular objects have found a place in the artistic concept. He gives weight to his observations, showing a mark made by a pen, a wall with a cable, the detail of bars on a window. With this exhibition, Phil Lofthouse wanted to show how he applies elements and works with unusual material. The Englishman was used to painting with oil, which he learned in his Fine Art Painting studies in England. He often portrayed friends; the learned, academic art had long since ceased to satisfy him. In search of a new form, he now strives to experiment. “It was a process, and it helped me become more confident in myself,” is how he sums up his feeling. Artists, just like people in other professions, go through their development and their experiences. Fixating oneself usually does not bring satisfaction. In just the same way, interest in the new has always promoted science and contributed to the development of humankind.
Article in the Romansh Newspaper La Quotidiana, August 2024
Translation (Romansh Sursilvan - English)
The Grey League on Proud Display
They represent the 21 former judicial communities of the Grey League, which stretch from Mustér down to Mesocco. The 21 flags are currently flying along the shore of Lag Grond. Artists created the flags and, in doing so, explored a new way of presenting art in public space.
By Andreas Cadonau/FMR
There’s no doubt: the flags now catch the eye of many who stroll by the lake shore in Laax. Since the start of August, the flags lining the edge of the car park have been a little different from the usual. Not the touristic blue with the word Laax flutters in the wind anymore, but a vivid parade, featuring, for example, glimajas (dragonflies), a bescla (a push-button/switch) and much more. Each of the 21 flags was created by an artist as part of the festivities marking 600 years of the Grey League.
Cularta’s curator Yvonne Gienal invited one artist from each of the former judicial communities of the Grey League to design a flag, communities stretching from Mustér down to Mesocco. “We felt a certain skepticism among many artists toward our idea.” Historically, the banner/standard has not had the best reputation and is considered by many to be old-fashioned. And to having been skeptical, even very skeptical, about the flag, the artists Markus Weggenmann and Phil Lofthouse freely admit; despite that skepticism, they decided to take part in the exhibition.
Offering inspiration
This also applies to artist Valerie Lipscher, who likewise created one of the 21 flags by the shore of Lag Grond. Although she lives in Zurich, a city that definitely did not belong to the former Grey League, her intensely colored flag represents the former judicial community of Thusis. “Last year I spent time in residence at the Lilli Keller Foundation in Thusis, and that stay inspired me.” Lipscher was glad to contribute to the exhibition: “Also to give something of my inspiration back to the region.” Because she also works with textiles in her artistic practice, the step toward a flag was a smaller one for her.
For Phil Lofthouse, from northern England and living in Castrisch for 13 years, the step toward the flag seems to have been bigger. His work represents the former judicial community of Schluein, and at Löwenberg Castle Lofthouse set up his studio a few years ago. “Now I’m very happy, and a little proud too, to be part of this open-air exhibition.” For him, having decided only a few years ago to re-engage with art more seriously, it’s important to be able to present his work to the public.
An interesting platform
Markus Weggenmann no longer wants to talk about skepticism in connection with the flags. Having lived in Cumbel for 40 years, he’s well aware that creating a flag is “quite out of the ordinary.” But the unusual also appealed to his artistic vein: his way of working with color and shaping with it a mountain landscape found, by the shore of Lag Grond, an interesting platform.
The public is responding to the flags and showing interest in the creators. That is confirmed by Valerie Lipscher, Phil Lofthouse, and Markus Weggenmann, as well as curator Yvonne Gienal. To build on that interest, she points to a booklet that offers not only information about the artists, but also some details about the former Grey League.