The Mike Holcroft Show Part 1 - Breaking Boundaries

Follow the creative spirit of Mike Holcroft in this mini retrospective show - Part 1.

Spanning two decades ‘Breaking Boundaries’ references two polar opposites, from cerebral, intensely observed figurative paintings - still life, portraits - to full on abstract action painting aimed at sidestepping conscious control, demonstrating Mike’s exploration of the wonderful melting pot of a rich artistic life.

A sensational start to this exhibition is the lush abandonment of 4 key large scale works ‘Seasons’, being shown for the first time.
They were viewed by Nicholas Logsdail, formerly of the Lisson gallery London, responded favourably suggesting Mike take in the Jackson Pollock 1982 exhibition in Paris in order to consolidate his stance with abstraction.

In Paris a fortuitous lengthy meeting with Lee Krasner (widow of Jackson Pollock, , alongside a visit to the Musee de l’Orangerie seeing Monet’s remarkable water lily works, were the starting points for Mike’s series of Mirror Studies and to a rejoicing in the tactile surface again. As an aside, back in the UK, the bizarre encounter with a mirror and a dustbin were crucial in kicking off these colour drawings with their subtle colour harmonies exhibited here in 2015.

A constant throughout his artistic career is an ever present rich imagination. Numerous narrative, allegorical black and white drawings emerge, aching for a fulfilment. Small scale is of equal significance giving a context for series such as Barn, Circus, Onlooker or Night Flight. Encountering the literary works of Ted Hughes, in particular ‘Rock Has Not Learned,’ led to masterful series of charcoal drawings and an exhibition ’Stones on the Path’ several of which are shown here.