Craigie Aitchinson
Born – Edinburgh, Scotland 1926
Craigie Aitchinson is a curious phenomenon among painters. He held his first one man show in 1958, and his themes and inimitable style has barely changed since. Aitchinson has avoided forming alliances with any of the major art movements that have gripped Britain since 1945. Crucifixion illustrates the lifelong theme that has informed much of his work. On a surprisingly large canvas, the dark and revert painting depicts a strangely armless Christ, but forms motif for the painter, who states “Everybody knows who he is. He doesn’t need arms.” The childlike simplicity of this rendition of a potent Christian symbol belies the primitive power of Aitchinson’s subtlety. Mournfully coloured bands made the minimalist landscape and infer a depth of field. The hill is Goat Fell, a childhood holiday place on the Isle of Arran. The mystical sense of light illuminating the figure, the faithful pose of the dog, the attendant birds and the sparkling star at the centre of the cross are incongruous but appropriate elements contributing the picture’s soul. They form ideas, meanings and associations that strike at the heart of the spectator – whatever his religious beliefs.
Masterpieces:
- Model and Dog
- Nandi Bull in front of Temple III
text: The A-Z of Art, Nicola Hodge and Libby Anson.