New exhibition
25.10.22
Lands of Unknown Warriors
Chapter House, Westminster Abbey, November 8th - 19th, 2022. Open Monday - Friday, 9.30 AM - 3.30 PM, and Saturdays, 9.30 AM - 3.00 PM
Lands of Unknown Warriors is an exhibition of new paintings by John Woodman in the Chapter House at Westminster Abbey. The Unknown Warrior was chosen for Westminster Abbey in 1920, from four unknown warriors who fought for Britain during the First World War, and who died in four different battle areas. In the summer of 2017 the artist spent time in the four locations (the Aisne, the Somme, Arras and Ypres), making studies of the landscapes as they are now. The oil paintings on show stem from these studies and use vivid colours which seek to distil the individual character experienced in each location. Each painting has been made across four separate canvases, one for each unknown warrior and each canvas is the same size as a Commonwealth War Grave (2 ft 6 in. in height and 1 ft 3 in. in width). Once completed, the canvases were taken to the battle areas in Belgium and France which inspired the paintings; photographs of this are also included in the exhibition.
Chapter House, Westminster Abbey, London SW1P 3PA
Nearest Tubes: St James's Park / Westminster
Free entry to exhibition via the cloister entrance in Dean’s Yard.
Admission charges to Westminster Abbey apply.
The exhibition was intended to mark the centenary of the Grave of the Unknown Warrior in November 2020, but was delayed due to COVID-19 lockdowns.
2.2.21
The Window
5.11.18
The Window has been extended and is now on show until the end of November. Head on over to Robinson College, Cambridge to see the new series of paintings. Also click below to see images of the paintings and their installation with the wonderful John Piper window.
The Window
9.10.18
Robinson College Chapel, Cambridge University, Grange Road, Cambridge, CB3 9AN
10.00 - 17.00, October 25-27, 2018
The Window is an exhibition of new paintings by John Woodman in the chapel of Robinson College, Cambridge.
The paintings are inspired by memories of places and experiences which have been chosen with the college in mind. Their shape and colour have been influenced by the chapel and its beautiful stained glass window, ‘Light of the World’, by John Piper. Very tall and thin, the paintings will stand directly on the floor to be viewed simultaneously with the Piper window. These paintings imply forms and spaces, but nothing is ever fully present. Rather marks and colours collected over time wait to be uncovered by the viewer.
All are welcome to a reception, featuring a talk by the artist in the Linnett Room, Robinson College, on October 26 (5.30-6.30).
The Underworld
13.10.17
Ben Jasnow is published in the Fall / Winter edition of Poet Lore with responses in poetry to a new series of paintings by John Woodman. This new and ongoing series is called The Underworld.
Poet Lore is out this month and the paintings can now be seen if you click the button below.
New book cover
Something and nothing, which was made for a boarding house of Westminster School (see below), has been used for the front cover for a new publication.
Hesiod and Classical Greek Poetry was written by Zoe Stamatopolou and is published by Cambridge University Press.
Georgic Fantasy
01.02.16
John Woodman and Ben Jasnow have collaborated again.
Georgic Fantasy is an iBook published by Artist's Proof Editions containing thirteen paintings by Woodman which respond to Jasnow's wonderful ten-part poem of the same name.
It will come out on February 19th and is available for pre-order now.
Westminster Abbey Exhibition
1.10.15
Reunion with the Unknown Warrior
Chapter House, Westminster Abbey, November 5th - 15th, 2015, Monday to Saturday, 10.00AM - 4.00PM
Reunion with the Unknown Warrior is a new exhibition of paintings by John Woodman in the Chapter House of Westminster Abbey. The triptych, inspired by the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, will be on show November 5th - 15th, to coincide with the opening of the Field of Remembrance. On the first night of the exhibition, during Evensong on November 5th, the paintings will be positioned around the Grave of the Unknown Warrior in the Nave of the Abbey, and will spend the night with the memorial. The following morning, they will return to the Chapter House. A reunion of sorts.
Free entry to exhibition though admission charges to Westminster Abbey apply.
Chapter House, Westminster Abbey, London SW1P 3PA
Nearest Tubes: St James's Park / Westminster
Interview with Ben Jasnow and John Woodman
2014
Read an interview included in the Open University's PVCRS about my collaboration with Ben Jasnow to translate and illustrate the Idylls of Theocritus. The current issue has some great articles including a wonderful one with Antony Gormley.
Artist Interview
23.04.13
Watch an interview by Bridge PAI Executive Director Matthew Slaats with Ben Jasnow and John Woodman about Ancient Songs, Modern Muses.