Lieutenant and Lilith Investigate

A rare showing of works by the English painter Chris Appleby opens today at Churchill College, Cambridge University.

Out of all our year group at the RCA, Chris was an obvious star. However, being Chris, he wandered off in the other direction, reluctant to join the conventional gallery system and strangely reticent and critical about the exquisite paintings he produced

Eileen Cooper

Chris Appleby: Works Past and Present brings together a body of work by an artist who, despite predictions of stardom, has shunned the limelight for much of his career.

Much of the exhibition, which runs until May 18, explores the complicated correlation between literature and painting by drawing out intriguing political, textual and cultural references.

Eileen Cooper, who studied with Appleby at the Royal College of Arts in the 1970s said: “To any artist it’s been obvious, even from a quick glance that Chris has a great ‘touch’. He has a feel for materials and process. He’s inventive and restless.

“Out of all our year group at the RCA, Chris was an obvious star. However, being Chris, he wandered off in the other direction, reluctant to join the conventional gallery system and strangely reticent and critical about the exquisite paintings he produced.”

As a consequence of living and working in London, Appleby has a passionate interest in the relationship between theatre and the City.

The forthcoming exhibition offers us not only works of beguiling accomplishment but also present real insights into the commonplace world. Figures drawn in outline sit alone deep in thought, city skyscrapers describe a background as characters in dialogue play out some role in the office.

Everyday dramas, which alter states of being, are the principal subject of these works. Elements of graffiti often capture a fleeting thought or a wry comment relating to the scene depicted.

Added Cooper: “I’m very pleased that Chris Appleby, multi-talented maker, teacher, teller of stories, curator, occasional madman and excellent artist is now coming back to centre stage to take his rightful place.”

Churchill Fellow Barry Phipps, who organised the exhibition said: “Churchill College is very proud of its’ long relationship of engaging with artists. Chris’s exhibition continues our programme of working with the most interesting artists. The show offers a unique opportunity to see paintings rarely shown in public, as such we all benefit from seeing them.”

Chris Appleby: Works Past and Present runs from April 20 to May 18, Churchill College, Storey’s Way, Cambridge, CB3 0DS. Open 9am-5pm daily.


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