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John Craxton

A Modern Odyssey
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
John Craxton celebrates the life and work of the British artist John Craxton (1922–2009), highlighting his evolution from poetic wartime images to vibrant works inspired by Greece. The book explores Craxton’s early influences, including British Romantic art and landscapes of England and Wales, while delving into themes of LGBTQ+ identity and his connections with key modern artists. Written by Simon Martin with contributions from notable figures, it presents a varied overview of Craxton’s career across painting, illustration, ballet design, ceramics, and tapestry.
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Format: Hardback
$7199
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book will appeal to readers interested in British art history, mid-20th-century art movements, and those curious about LGBTQ+ perspectives in art. It is suitable for art enthusiasts, students, and visitors to the Pallant House Gallery exhibition.

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A celebration of the life and work of the artist John Craxton, a rebellious figure in British art history

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A celebration of the life and work of the artist John Craxton, a rebellious figure in British art history

Spanning a rich variety of works from the 1940s to the 2000s, this book celebrates the life and work of the British artist John Craxton (1922–2009). It charts the development of Craxton’s work from the poetic, melancholy images created in wartime Britain to the vibrant paintings and drawings produced in his adopted homeland of Greece.

The book revisits the artist’s early life and looks at the influence of British Romantic art and the landscape of England and Wales on his work, while also exploring themes around LGBTQ+ identity, his relationship to significant modern British and international artists, and the historical context of mid-century Britain and Greece.

Featuring short essays and texts from contributors such as Sir David Attenborough, Ian Collins, Simon Martin, and Miriam O’Connor—covering subjects across Craxton’s career, including book illustration, landscape, ballet design, ceramics, and tapestry—this lively account showcases the diverse artistic output of this key figure in British art history.

Exhibition Schedule:

Pallant House Gallery, Chichester
(October 28, 2023–April 21, 2024)

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781869827717

Publisher: Pallant House Gallery Trust

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 24 October 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Pallant House Gallery

Illustration: 110 color illus.

Contributors:

  • Contributions by Edmund White
  • Contributions by David Mellor
  • Contributions by Miriam O’Connor Perks
  • Contributions by Tacita Dean
  • Contributions by Hilary Spurling
  • Contributions by David Attenborough
  • Contributions by Ian Collins

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 210.0mm

Height: 260.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 144

About the Author

Simon Martin is a curator and writer and director of Pallant House Gallery, Chichester. Ian Collins is an independent art writer and curator and author of John Craxton: A Life of Gifts (2021).

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