Biggin Hill Commission, Souring Spirits, 2022
Jeremy Houghton’s artistic vision is profoundly shaped by his awe-inspiring experiences soaring across the vast and diverse skies of Africa. From the breathtaking flight over the kaleidoscopic salt pans of the Kalahari Desert to witnessing thousands of flamingos in perfect migration formation, navigating vast distances with remarkable instinct, bravery, and endurance, he has come to deeply appreciate the blend of qualities required to cross borders and conquer the skies. This natural choreography of movement, pattern, and rhythm mirrors the human story of flight—an age-old fascination that has captivated artists and inventors for centuries.
Flight has long been a symbol of human aspiration, freedom, and ingenuity, inspiring monumental works of art throughout history. From the grandeur of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling, which captures the divine and ethereal, to contemporary masterpieces such as Julie Mehretu’s large-scale painting How to Lose Your Way (2014), which explores movement, chaos, and order reminiscent of aerial navigation and flight patterns, art and flight have been inextricably linked. These epic artworks communicate stories of bravery, innovation, and the endless pursuit of new horizons—qualities that resonate deeply with Jeremy’s own artistic journey.
His association with Biggin Hill Airport, one of Britain’s most iconic airfields, evokes this rich tradition and personal history. Biggin Hill played a pivotal role in the Battle of Britain, the “finest hour” when the courage and skill of RAF pilots helped defend the nation during its darkest days. Jeremy’s previous work painting the RAF Centenary and commemorating the Battle of Britain forged a lasting connection to this heritage, infusing his current Biggin Hill commission with profound respect and emotional depth. His artwork celebrates not only the technological marvels of flight but also the human stories behind them—the bravery, the camaraderie, and the relentless spirit of those who dared to soar.
The commission for Biggin Hill Airport is a monumental undertaking that captures the essence of flight as both a physical and symbolic journey. Jeremy draws inspiration from the natural world’s migratory patterns and the precision of bird formations, paralleling these with the navigation and discipline exhibited by aviators. His paintings convey the exhilaration of flight, the challenges of crossing borders, and the patterns that bind nature and technology in a timeless dance.
Through this work, Jeremy continues the age-old human tradition of using art to explore and celebrate flight—an elemental force that has inspired creativity from Renaissance masters to modern visionaries. His experiences in Africa, combined with his deep connection to aviation history, enable him to create dynamic, large-scale pieces that honor the legacy of Biggin Hill while capturing the universal thrill of soaring through the skies.
The commission for Biggin Hill Airport is a monumental undertaking that captures the essence of flight as both a physical and symbolic journey. Jeremy draws inspiration from the natural world’s migratory patterns and the precision of bird formations, paralleling these with the navigation and discipline exhibited by aviators. His paintings convey the exhilaration of flight, the challenges of crossing borders, and the patterns that bind nature and technology in a timeless dance.
Through this work, Jeremy continues the age-old human tradition of using art to explore and celebrate flight—an elemental desire that has inspired creativity from Renaissance masters to modern visionaries. His experiences in Africa, combined with his deep connection to aviation history, enable him to create dynamic, large-scale pieces that honor the legacy of Biggin Hill while capturing the universal thrill of soaring through the skies.