Exploring Modern British Still Life Through the Works of Two Artistic Icons
In a captivating online exhibition titled “Signature Pots,” the artistry of Derrick Greaves and Patrick Caulfield is celebrated at the James Hyman Gallery. This exhibition offers a unique insight into the work of two prominent British artists who have significantly influenced the still life genre with their innovative techniques in color and form.
Derrick Greaves (1927–2022) and Patrick Caulfield (1936–2005) are renowned for their distinctive styles that, at times, intriguingly intersected. This dual exhibition serves as the highlight of the gallery’s 2025 program, spotlighting the fascinating connections and divergences in their approaches. Adding a personal dimension, James Hyman, the gallery owner, once lived near Caulfield and shared a close friendship with Greaves.
Greaves rose to fame in the 1950s, notably representing Britain at the Venice Biennale. Initially associated with the Kitchen Sink painters, a group known for depicting everyday life, Greaves evolved his style to embrace bold graphics, aligning more closely with Pop art through his use of vibrant colors and clean lines.
Caulfield entered the art scene in the 1960s, part of the New Generation painters alongside figures like David Hockney and Bridget Riley. Like Greaves, his work bore influences of Pop art, characterized by its focus on everyday objects.
In “Signature Pots,” both artists elevate ordinary interiors and objects to iconic status with their distinct styles. Greaves’s works, such as Still Life with White Lilies (2021) and Glass Jug and Tondo (2015), use saturated colors to explore new dimensions of volume and space. Caulfield’s pieces, like Untitled (signature pots) and Untitled (jug and pot) (circa 1975), employ a seemingly casual yet meticulous use of line to create impactful spaces.
Displayed together, the works of Greaves and Caulfield transform humble still life compositions into sophisticated expressions of modern art. The nuanced differences and similarities in their depiction of vessels offer a contemplative exploration of artmaking’s essence. “Signature Pots: Patrick Caulfield | Derrick Greaves” is available for viewing online until December 25, 2025.
Visit the James Hyman Gallery in London to explore this exhibition and experience the intersection of these two masters of modern British still life.
