Gallery Midnight
Hopeful
Hopeful
by Johny Midnight
A silverback gorilla and his young one, painted for the eyes above all. The baby holds up a hand-made sign reading 'how's the future looking?' - patches of grey, pink and red pulling a tender study towards something more pointed.
Original for sale £5,000 | contact gallery
Limited edition fine art prints, hand-signed and numbered by the artist. Once the edition is sold out, it will not be reproduced.
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Artwork Description
A silverback and a younger gorilla dominate the canvas, painted as realistically as possible with particular care given to the eyes, which carry the emotional weight. The fur is handled more loosely, freeing the picture from fussiness, while the background breaks into patches of grey, pink and bright red that push it towards the contemporary. The young gorilla holds a hand-lettered sign - 'how's the future looking?' - turning a wildlife portrait into a quiet question.
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Artist's Insight
This is all about the eyes. Get those right - lifelike, soulful - and you can relax a little on the detail in the fur. I painted the two gorillas as realistically as I could, then broke the background into patches of grey, pink and red to make it a more modern picture. The baby holds up a sign it has obviously written itself, because gorillas can do that, and the sign asks how the future is looking. I will leave that with you.
Original Artwork Information
Artwork year created: 2023
Original artwork size: 100 x 120 cm
Original artwork medium: Oil on canvas
Original artwork status: Available for sale - £5,000
Print Details
Gallery Midnight limited edition fine art prints are available in A2 and A3 sizes. Edition sizes vary depending on the artwork.
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Edition Details
- A3 Limited Edition of 100
- A2 Limited Edition of 100
- Printed on archival matt fine art paper
- Hand-signed and numbered by the artist
- Certificate of authenticity included
Framing
Framing is available exclusively through the gallery. As framing is a highly personal decision and depends on the setting in which the artwork will be displayed, we prefer to discuss framing options directly with collectors. Please contact the gallery to arrange framing for your print.
Original paintings are typically presented on stretched canvas and do not require framing.
Please contact the gallery for framing advice or to arrange framing
Shipping
UK Delivery
Limited edition prints are dispatched via Royal Mail and typically arrive within 3–5 working days.
- Free UK delivery on orders over £250
- £5.99 delivery for orders under £250
International Delivery
We also ship internationally via Royal Mail.
- Europe: £10
- Rest of World: £15
Delivery times for international orders may vary depending on destination and local customs processing.
Packaging
Limited Edition Prints
All limited edition prints are carefully packaged in protective cardboard tubes to ensure they arrive safely and in excellent condition. This method protects the artwork during transit and allows the print to be professionally framed once received.
Original Paintings
Original paintings are typically collected from the gallery or arranged for delivery separately. Please contact the gallery to discuss shipping options for original artworks.
Returns
Please view our returns policy here
About the Artist
Johny is a painter and founder of Gallery Midnight in Balham. His work is often described as “abstract on reality”, capturing familiar landscapes, seascapes and city scenes with expressive colour and movement. Influenced by a life spent between London, the Alps and the Caribbean, his paintings explore changing light, atmosphere and energy, inviting viewers to see well-known places in new and unexpected ways.
Blog posts
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Battersea Power Station Art: Why I Keep Coming ...
Battersea Power Station art has become a defining series for Johny Midnight - bold, graphic paintings that explore atmosphere, structure, and the presence of one of London’s most iconic landmarks.
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Why Skiing Artwork Sits at the Heart of My Work
Skiing artwork is where it all began for Johny Midnight - from a wooden shed in Chamonix to paintings that capture movement, scale, and the feeling of being high in...
Why Skiing Artwork Sits at the Heart of My Work
Skiing artwork is where it all began for Johny Midnight - from a wooden shed in Chamonix to paintings that capture movement, scale, and the feeling of being high in...
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The Shackleton Endurance Collection: Why I Devo...
Johny’s fascination with polar exploration led him to create the acclaimed Shackleton's Endurance Collection - a year-long project inspired by the 2022 discovery of Endurance by marine archaeologist Mensun Bound. Drawing...
The Shackleton Endurance Collection: Why I Devo...
Johny’s fascination with polar exploration led him to create the acclaimed Shackleton's Endurance Collection - a year-long project inspired by the 2022 discovery of Endurance by marine archaeologist Mensun Bound. Drawing...
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