Someone who has given me unstinting encouragement to get out there and paint in my recent career as a proper painter is Steven Alexander of the Wapping Group. He is one of a family dedicated to painting, with two other brothers painting away and a father whose work he has been gathering for a retrospective.
Looking through the many pieces of fine work, makes me think on how fickle fortune is for artists. His father Christopher Alexander, painted figure works and plein air landscapes all his life. There are many sketch books filled with beautifully observed drawings of people and places. He had an especially good eye for figures and taught figure drawing at Canterbury College of Art for many years. History tends often to judge artists not by their work but more upon their talents for self promotion which causes many fine artists to get little exposure in their own lifetimes. Indeed the current trend is to not bother with the work at all but just concentrate on the marketing.
Looking through the pre proofs of the book that has been produced by his son Steve I am struck by how much they are a mirror of the times and of the tides of artistic ideas sweeping to and fro. There are moments of almost Fauvist intensity and even hints of expressionism. There are watercolours that remind me of Corot and drawings that show Degas was a strong influence. The core style in the painting though is that sort of muscular no nonsense impressionism that is native to these shores and much underrated. There is a small taste of his work below and you can see much more at the exhibition in at the Mine Gallery in Carshalton or in the book that covers his career. Below a few examples:
Portrait study pen and ink 15.5 x 13cm 1949
Portrait study pen and wash 28 x 18cm 1940s/1950s
Portrait study pencil 30 x 30cm 1960s
Girl in a dark coat chalk 62 x 40cm 1960s
Jeanie chalk 46.5 x 30cm 1964
Woman drawing pastel 31 x 32cm 1960s
The life model oils 30 x 41cm 1970s
Two female heads oils 43 x 37cm 1960s
Kingsgate Bay, Thanet oils 29 x 39.5cm 1970s
Blowy day at Botany Bay oils 33 x 44cm 1960s
Watercolour from a 1978 sketchbook (15 x 20cm)
Christopher Alexander drawing in the 1960s
Absolutely beautiful work. Wish I could see the exhibit.
Comment by Mick Carney — April 5, 2013 @ 10:37 pm
Feels good to see the limited edition of these paintings..
Comment by psocial — April 15, 2013 @ 11:38 am
Hi, Thanks for publishing this page. I was taught to paint by Christopher Alexander at the old Thanet Art School in Hawley Square, Margate. I’ve studied many of the great painters all my life but Chris remains my greatest influence. It’s an honour to know that he was there at the right time and I’ve never forgotten the things he taught me. It so good to see that people are finally recognising his work more than 40 years after I last saw him in class.
Comment by Tony Lampert — April 28, 2013 @ 7:30 pm
I was recently informed about a book by the son of Christopher Alexander which led me to finding this page on the internet.
Chris was one of my tutors at the Thanet School of Art & Crafts, Margate which I attended from 1951 to 1953, followed by another two years at Canterbury College of Art.
I therefore owe much of my success as a graphic designer to his teaching.
I am grateful to note that a book of his work celebrates his great talent.
Sincerely,
Arnold Schwartzman OBE RDI
Comment by Arnold Schwartzman — October 13, 2013 @ 12:42 pm
Thanks Arnold I will pass this on to his sons. Rob
Comment by Rob Adams — October 13, 2013 @ 4:49 pm