Colin Self, Thunderbird, 2019, Spray paint, graphite crayon and pencil on cardboard Tick Tock Tea packaging. Private collection © Colin Self. All rights reserved DACS 2025.
Originally scheduled before the pandemic, the exhibition marks one of those moments that has, through nobody's fault, been put back in the calendar, until now! Colin is in his early eighties and while he is slowing up, he is still productive, His output has been remarkably consistent over the last six decades. Being a consummate draughtsman, his drawings are what he is known for. Colin has drawings in both the Tate Collection, London and the Museum of Modern Art Drawing Collection, New York. However, as well as these, this exhibition will include Colin's beautiful landscape paintings (some of which adorned Marianne Faithfull's last album of spoken word poetry), his technically complex prints, collage work, and seldom seen ceramic objects.
Detail of back panel of Three Women Waiting and B-52 Nuclear Bomber August 1963 and 2007, Oil on board, 1210 x 1820 mm. Courtesy James Moores Collection
Selection has followed a slightly protracted process, delayed by the impact of Covid, but also because of the changes that have taken place during the Castle Museum's extended renovation. However, it will be apparent that the exhibition has been put together over this period with great attention to detail by the two curators responsible for it. There is a catalogue containing essays by writers who have known Colin's work from different decades he has been working. Originally conceived and embarked upon by curator Dr Rosie Grey, before she transferred her activities to the Sainsbury Centre, and taken on and completed by Giorgia Bottinelli at the Castle Museum, the exhibition has been beautifully designed and should give younger audiences fresh insight into this genuinely ground-breaking British Pop artist's work.
The exhibition One Self by Colin Self is supported by the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art and the East Anglia Art Fund.
About the author
Paul Barratt
Paul Barratt started working in contemporary art galleries in 1989, having graduated in Fine Art from Goldmsith’s, London University. He initially worked at Anthony d’Offay Gallery, one of the contemporary art dealers, who dominated the London art market in the 80s and 90s. He was approached by the Lisson Gallery to be gallery manager for the influential art dealer Nicholas Logsdail. This was followed by a short period in New York at Gladstone Gallery, to work for visionary art dealer Barbara Gladstone, working with the artist and filmmaker Matthew Barney.
On his return to London, Paul secured a place on the postgraduate curatorial course at the Royal College of Art, to complete an MA. After graduation in 2001, he worked as an independent curator on several projects in Oslo, London, Brighton and Basel, before joining Paul Vater at his design agency Sugarfree in 2004. He has worked with Paul ever since.
