John Mitchell - The Personal Collection & Studio Sale
Date: 13th August 2026, Lots 1-380, 10 am start
Date: 14th August 2026, Lots 381-747, 10 am start
'Mitchell's work exists on the edge of language' - David Ross, London, 2011
John Mitchell was a highly respected artist, sculptor and tutor, with much of his work abstract and based on proportional systems, with geometrics and the Fibonacci series being consistent motifs found within his work. Cornish-based yet with an international following, he honed his craft in his idyllic home and studio with views over Newlyn Harbour.
During the 1960's, Mitchell began to use the Fibonacci sequence to influence his work with bulk colours, often dried pigments, filling precisely measured voids with such vibrancies as cobalt blue, red ochre, indigo and burnt sienna. A passage from Samuel Beckett's Molloy, 'I had four ways of wearing my shirt...' added inspiration, encouraging Mitchell to play with similar motifs whilst developing as many variations as possible, which is evident within his 'Frustum and Fillers' series, with multiple variations of paintings and sculpture in both wood and bronze.
This sale showcases a lifetime of Mitchell’s work. It unites the worlds of mathematics and art, exploring a language without words. Lay’s are proud to bring this artist's work back into the public realm for fresh eyes to enjoy once more.
Join us for the private view on the 6th of August, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Collection appointments available to book from Monday 24th to Friday 28th August 2026
Please note: This auction (including viewing & collections) takes place at our Penzance saleroom.
Viewing times
Private view: 6th August, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Saturday 8th August, 9am to 1pm, and Monday 10th, Tuesday 11th, and Wednesday 12th August 2026, 9am to 5pm.
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Lot 44 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Fibonacci Derived Block Cube (c.2011)
Lot 46 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Cone Cut and Sliced (1982) - Two Pairs, Blue and Cream
Lot 47 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Cone Cut and Sliced (1982) - Two Pairs, Peach and Blue
Lot 48 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Cone Cut and Sliced (1982) - Two Pairs, Cream and Peach
Lot 50 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Asymmetrical and Inverted Frustrum XII & XIII
Lot 51 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Incised & Cut Tondo i Diptych (2011)
Lot 52 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Asymmetrical and Inverted Frustrum XV & XVIII
Lot 55 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Frustums & Fillers/Wedge (c.1989)
Lot 56 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Light/Dark Wood Cut Rectangles (Attached)
Lot 59 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Tall Conical Frustums with Inverted Contrasting Parts
Lot 69 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Two Juxtaposed Shapes i - Vermilion/Coeruleum (2007)
Lot 70 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Square Pyramids Juxtaposed and Inverted
Lot 75 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Stepped and Inverted Asymmetric Frustums i (2005)
Lot 78 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Incised and Cut Fibonacci Tondo Diptych (2010)
Lot 79 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Two Juxtaposed Shapes iii - White/Coeruleum (2007)
