Johny Midnight - Biography

They say home is where the heart is and for Johny Midnight that happens to be Chamonix. After ‘commuting’ back and forth from London to Chamonix, Johny firmly lay down his paint brush where his palette was, in the Valley of Chamonix and spent the 2002/03 Winter - Summer period as a hunter/gatherer of studies and sketches for his first ‘Chamonix exhibition’, in November 2003, London. Encouraged by the success of his London exhibition, the self-belief to live the dream of founding the first modern art gallery in the Chamonix valley grew.  Johny recalls a few nerves, “with no precedent it seemed a risky venture, would people be interested enough to buy art in a world renowned ski/ mountaineering town?” However Johny, inspired by the magical natural beauty of Europe’s highest mountain range, did what any self respectful artist would do, and blew caution from the highest peak and began the journey of realisation, bringing the world of art to Chamonix…

They say big things come from humble beginnings, Johny is no exception. True to the artistic vein, a shed at the foot of the Grands Montets lift system housed the first gallery. Ever the natural self-publicist, Johny threw a few of his infamous parties, clearly, only to introduce himself to the world and began painting the town red. People began buying his work, with comments such as ‘we didn’t realise you were THAT sort of artist when we met you in bar!’

With a little endeavor, word of mouth and Johny’s obvious talents, the winter proved a success and a larger gallery was needed. Johny’s dream was taking shape. He was offered a new location in Argentierre, the little sister village of Chamonix. With a larger gallery Johny’s art attack on Chamonix grew in force and he was able to action more of his ideas with the addition of other talented Chamonix based artists into his gallery.

After two years in Argentierre, the gallery became successful enough to move to Chamonix. As Johny remarks, “the philosophy of Gallery Midnight is to only show work that is original, dynamic and unique. An artist who begins to draw from his own influences rather than those of others, will begin to create new techniques resulting in art work that has the stamp of that artist, in this way you begin to create new schools of art and a different way of seeing and appreciating. This should be the aim of every true artist and the gallery goes along way to promote this. You will not be disappointed if you pay a visit.”

Gallery Midnight has a rustic mountain charm, where all who enter feel welcomed. You can come and enjoy tea and cakes while you peruse the artwork, and of course a bottle of wine is never far away from being opened, obviously not before lunch! Important to Johny is the fact that Gallery Midnight is a ‘working’ gallery where you can watch Johny and the other artists at work at various times and discuss their work. As a gallery owner Johny has tried to rid the ‘snob’ factor that associates itself with many galleries, and is proud the public can view the artwork exhibited in its working environment and gain a better understanding of art. “I love it when I see people trying to work out why they have been captivated by a painting’’ says Johny, and its usually because they are recalling the atmosphere that the painting is evoking in them.” ‘’And if that’s the case then I have done my job well’’

It is evident that the gallery and its owner have made an impact in Chamonix and added a new extremity to a famous town where ‘extreme’ is an everyday word. I only hope Johny learns to ski as well as he paints! Oh, if you are wondering where the name ‘’Midnight’ derives from, Johny with the cheeky grin of true artist explains, “You would have to ask Matt from the MBC brasserie in Chamonix’’. I have heard some thing about Baron von Midanacht from Hungry but I’m not all together sure. You will have to ask him yourself.