Stephen Newton (b. 1948)
The art critic Mel Gooding described Newton’s painting as a “psycho-conceptual project”. They explore primitive manic states; isolation; disassociation; loss; fear; loneliness and supplication, themes containing sinister elements common to us all.
Through years of contemplation and engagement with painting and drawing, Newton has distilled that fusion between the physical and intellectual in the creative process – the essence being a reduction to primitive, almost primeval, images of immense power.
Courtroom, 2018
Oil on canvas
193 x 208cm
In the collection of Jeremy Levison
CV
b.1948
1986 M.A. Fine Art, Nottingham Trent University
1993 M.A. (Distinction) Art and Psychotherapy, University of Sheffield
1998 Ph.D. The Psychoanalysis of the Creative Process, Dept. of Psychiatry, University of Sheffield
2000 Elected Visiting Professor of Painting Theory, University of Northumbria
Selected Recent Exhibitions
2018
One-Man exhibition | Abstract Realities, Bermondsey Project Space, London
One-Man exhibition | Zillah Bell Gallery, Thirsk, Yorkshire
Mixed exhibition | Axis: London Milano
2019
One-Man exhibition | London Art Fair
2020
Mixed exhibition | 7 Contemporary Painters, curated by Alan Rankle, Bermondsey Project Space, London
Mixed exhibition | Mortality – A Survey of Contemporary Death Art, curated by Donald Kuspit. American University Museum, Washington, DC
Mixed exhibition | Vitalistic Fantasies, Contemporary British Painters, Cello Factory, London and Elysium Gallery, Swansea
2021
One-Man exhibition | Paintings of Remembrance, Bermondsey Project Space, London
Mixed exhibition | Winter Showcase, Bermondsey Project Space, London
2022
One-Man exhibition | Doors, Rooms, Horizons, British Art Fair, Saatchi Gallery, London
Doors, Rooms, Horizons at British Art Fair, Saatchi Gallery, London
Publications
1995 The Politics and Psychoanalysis of Primitivism (Ziggurat Books International, London)
‘the acclaimed study’, David Buckman, The Dictionary of Artists in Britain since 1945
2001 Painting, Psychoanalysis, and Spirituality (Cambridge University Press, New York)
‘enormously interesting, highly illuminating and engaging’, Janet Sayers, British Journal of Psychotherapy
‘Overall, the book is erudite and often brilliant in dealing with art and art theory’. Gilbert J.Rose, Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association
‘An extremely worthwhile book’, Adrian Lewis, The Art Book
‘The book is a must for psychoanalysts and art theorists, but it also has a broad church appeal’, Derek J.Smith, Journal of Consciousness Studies’
‘Closely argued and ambitious’, TLS
2008 Art and Ritual - A Painter’s Journey (Ziggurat Books International, London)
‘truly major’, Donald Kuspit
2023 The Hidden Essence of Art (to be published shortly by Morel Books)
(not including papers published)