Glossary: Kitchen Sink

The term "kitchen sink" derived from an expressionist painting by John Bratby, which contained an image of a kitchen sink. The critic David Sylvester wrote an article in 1954 about trends in recent English art, calling his article "The Kitchen Sink" in reference to Bratby's picture. Sylvester argued that there was a new interest among young painters in domestic scenes, with stress on the banality of life. Bratby painted several kitchen subjects, often turning practical utensils such as sieves and spoons into semi-abstract shapes. He also painted bathrooms, and made three paintings of toilets. Other artists associated with the "kitchen sink" style include Derrick Greaves, Edward Middleditch and Jack Smith It was the post-war austerity and drab existence of the 1950’s that provided the artistic drive for Bratby and his fellow artists, focusing on the unglamorous and commonplace scenes.

My first ever painting by Bratby was a huge upright oil of the artists outside brick privy (toilet) with the door open and the pan lid lifted. Not a very appealing painting you may think but what a magnificent iconic work. It was a true no holds barred, what-you-see-is-what-you-get work that ended up in the front window of The Simon Carter Gallery in Woodbridge. This was 1985 and the good folk of Woodbridge were not ready for such an un-heroic image. Notes were pushed through his door threatening him with the local watch committee and such terrifying statements to the effect that “I will never enter your premises again”. Thus began the 1980’s golden age of Modern British art.

Here at Room4art.com™ we sell works by the kitchen sink artists and have at the moment one pencil self portrait of John Bratby executed in the late 1940’s early 50’s. This is a wonderfully strong image reflecting the artist’s natural skill as a draughtsman and with our splendid zoom facility you can examine this powerful work in close detail. I think the greatest quotes about the artist are: "Bratby paints as though he has only one more day to live” and “he paints a packet of cornflakes on a littered kitchen table as though it were part of the Last Supper"

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