"John Craxton: Drawn to Light"
John Craxton: Drawn to Light | 5 April - 23 July 2023 | Mesher
John Craxton: Drawn to Light is a captivating celebration of the life and artistic journey of the late painter and designer, presented at Meşher, unveiling the most extensive and comprehensive collection of Craxton's artworks ever displayed, curated by Ian Collins, a close friend and biographer of the artist. Featuring nearly 200 works, takes viewers on a remarkable visual journey spanning Craxton's illustrious career.
John Craxton: Drawn to Light offers a diverse array of Craxton's artworks, including a monumental tapestry, paintings, drawings, prints, book designs, and personal effects. The exhibition serves as a vibrant testament to Craxton's joyful creative life, transitioning from the darkness of wartime to the radiant embrace of light and from monochrome to vivid color.
[ The Culture Show-2011, Episode 4, featuring David Attenborough on British painter John Craxton. ]
To further enrich the experience, the exhibition integrates photographs by American photographer Robert McCabe and London-born painter Nicholas Moore. McCabe's photography, captured during his travels to the Aegean in 1954, intimately captures the region's landscapes and people, paralleling Craxton's artistic vision. Moore's photographs, taken during his 1985 trip to Istanbul with Craxton, provide a glimpse into their shared experiences. Istanbul, a city that Craxton adored and frequently visited, holds a special place in his heart, and this revelatory exhibition invites art enthusiasts to explore Craxton's art and life in the lands he cherished most.
Craxton's early influences, notably Picasso and Miró, can be discerned in his artistic style. At the tender age of 14, he studied El Greco's "An Allegory (Fábula)," a painting that forever captured his admiration. Craxton's extensive travels to Greece and Türkiye greatly influenced his adult work, imbuing it with the spirit of Aegean culture and its breathtaking landscapes. His powerful compositions, characterized by vibrant colors and expressive lines, evoke a subtle and deeply personal symbolism, alongside a sensual life basking in the sun. Mythology, archaeology, Byzantine mosaics, Turkish carpets, and Ottoman architecture all left indelible imprints on Craxton's creative expression. He was an avid portraitist, particularly of cats and goats, and although he had famous acquaintances, he was equally captivated by ordinary people, portraying sailors, shepherd families, and his companions in the intimate settings of taverns and cafes.
I can’t tell you how delicious this country is & the lovely hot sun all day and at night tavernas: hot prawns in olive oil & great wine & the soft sweet smell of Greek pine trees. I shall never come home. How can I! - John Craxton
Traveling along the breathtaking Aegean coast of Türkiye, from the ancient ruins of Troy to the magnificent city of Ephesus, Craxton reveled in a wide range of passions, embracing everything from historical sites to traditional cuisine.
John Craxton: Drawn to Light is an extraordinary homage to an artist whose vision encompassed the breadth of human experience. This exhibition invites us to embark on a journey through Craxton's masterful creations, suffused with light, color, and the spirit of the lands he loved. It is an opportunity to immerse ourselves in the rich tapestry of his life and explore the profound influence that Greece, Türkiye, and the enchanting Aegean had on his artistic soul.
