Lucian Freud and The Soul as Sphere

Join Peter Hall, Head of Exhibitions and Sophie Ridsdale-Smith, Exhibitions Assistant for a highlights tour of Lucian Freud and The Soul as Sphere.

The Lightbox presents two adjoining exhibitions: The Soul as Sphere, curated by artist Somaya Critchlow and a presentation of works by Lucian Freud, that have been selected by The Lightbox and curated by Critchlow.

The Soul as Sphere is an exhibition anchored around Critchlow’s grandfather, the late artist, professor of architecture, writer and geometer, Dr Keith Critchlow. First presented in Spring 2022 at Maximillian William, London, this show explored his lasting influence on the arts. As part of the two adjoining presentations, The Soul as Sphere will be re-exhibited and expanded on from the original selection of artworks. The legacy of Keith Critchlow is built into the walls of The Lightbox, as among the many artists, architects and creatives influenced by Keith Critchlow is Julia Barfield, architect of The Lightbox. Keith Critchlow both taught Barfield at the Architectural Association in London and worked alongside her on the award-winning Cambridge Mosque, completed in 2019.

It is in this context that The Lightbox has invited contemporary artist Somaya Critchlow to curate a presentation of Lucian Freud works. Lucian Freud is one of the eight artists featured in The Soul as Sphere, his work is on view in the exhibition alongside examples from Frank Auerbach, David Bomberg, Frank Bowling, Keith Critchlow, Somaya Critchlow, Käthe Kollwitz, and Leon Kossoff. The Lucian Freud presentation, marking the centenary of Freud’s birth, features works that span the near sixty years of Freud’s creative output and is one of the first regional exhibitions dedicated to the artist. In both presentations, there is a tenderness imbued with personal narrative and timely connections which expand on contemporary and historical Britain.

26 November 2022 – 19 March 2023 £9.50 Day Pass ● Lightbox Members and Under 21s Free

No pre-booking required.

Exhibition supported by Maximillian William, London

Image credits: All exhibition images © 2022, Deniz Guzel Lucian Freud (1922-2011), Naked Girl with Egg, 1980/81, oil on canvas © Courtesy of British Council Collection © The Lucian Freud Archive. All Rights Reserved 2022/Bridgeman Images. Lucian Freud (1922 – 2011), The Painters Mother IV, 1973, oil on canvas © Tate © The Lucian Freud Archive Bridgeman Images. © Keith Critchlow. Image courtesy the estate of Keith Critchlow. Keith Critchlow (1933-2020), Head, 1961, Oil on board, 35 x 29 cm Somaya Critchlow (b. 1993), Untitled, 2022 Oil on linen, 15 x 10 cm © Somaya Critchlow. Image courtesy the artist and Maximillian William, London. Photography: Prudence Cuming Associates Ltd © Keith Critchlow. Image courtesy the estate of Keith Critchlow and Maximillian William, London. Photography: Shen Tan

Film edited by Sophie Ridsdale-Smith