For his first exhibition with David Simon Gallery John Callaghan is showing a powerful series of his paintings in oil which look at architectural features of Soho and Bristol.

Callaghan has a remarkable ability to capture the character of a place through architectural detail. He takes us through the seedy streets of Soho where unassuming doorways take the viewer's mind into underground bars, brothels and nightclubs. His most recent paintings, this time based on Bristol, continue to focus on urban architecture in and amongst florae. His mastery of colour theory again playing an integral part of his compositions.

John Callaghan was born in Pointe-a-Pierre, Trinidad in 1951 and was trained at Wimbledon School of Art going on to study at North East London Polytechnic and the Royal Academy Schools. From 1977 until 1979 he taught Art and Design and painting at various colleges and institutions in and around London.

He then went on to work as a Visualizer and Art Director in advertising. In the 1980s John established a Design Build company working on Interior Design whilst still continuing to paint, selling works to private collectors.

John Callaghan has been practising as a full time painter since 2000 and is currently focusing on a new series of works which continue to concentrate on the theme of urban architecture, in and amongst florae, with a juxtaposition of layers of colour playing an integral part of his compositions.