John Craxton: A Modern Odyssey

About

This retrospective will follow the works of celebrated British Romantic artist, John Craxton R.A. (1922–2009); from his melancholic images of poets within brooding landscapes created in Britain in the early 1940s, to the radiant paintings and drawings inspired by his adopted homeland in the Mediterranean.

The development of his work reveals Craxton’s experiences of confinement and exile, his personal liberation as a gay man, and his celebration of travel and colour, all set within the historical context of mid-century Britain and Greece. Inspiration taken from Greek archaeology, mythology and Byzantine mosaics shines through his art, as do affinities with acquaintance Pablo Picasso and, youthful best friend, Lucian Freud.

Marking the rebellious twists and turns in his life, the exhibition will showcase glorious paintings, poetic drawings, book cover illustrations, ceramics, dynamic theatre set designs, and rarely seen pieces from the Craxton Estate.

Shown for the first time alongside this exhibition, contemporary artist Tacita Dean will present Crackers (2023), a new two screen film projection which she recently created in Crete as a musing on her friendship with the artist.

Craxton’s versatility will be set within the context of some of his contemporaries in a separate display of pieces from the Gallery’s collection. Selected by contemporary artist Jake Grewal, this exhibit will include works by Graham Sutherland, Keith Vaughan, John Piper, Paul Nash and John Minton.

A new illustrated catalogue will be available alongside this exhibition, with contributions from David Alan Mellor, Sir David Attenborough, Edmund White, Hilary Spurling, Ian Collins, Miriam O’Connor Perks, Simon Martin and Tacita Dean.