I, Santa: Contemporary representations of St Nicholas - Father Matthew Askey and Charles Williams and guests explore the Santa Claus mythology in painting.
5 – 24 December
studio1. 1
with
Father Matthew Askey, Dr Charles Williams, Phil King, Jake Clark, Andrew Seto, Rupesh Sudanshu, Brian Cheesewright, Matthew Collings, David R. Newton, Keran James and Jonny Green.
I, Santa interrogates Santa Claus’s layered symbolism, exploring themes of masculinity and social liminality. Williams’ paintings, influenced by early 20th-century British artists, present Santa as a pensive figure, embodying consumerism, mythology, and human longing. His works transform Santa from a jolly gift-giver into a complex cultural icon, navigating hope and despair.
In contrast, Father Matthew Askey’s works portray figures “playing at” Santa, using the character to explore human dualities: joy and sorrow, generosity and greed. His art questions the role of myth in an increasingly disenchanted world, reflecting on belief and belonging.
Through these diverse perspectives, the exhibition encourages viewers to reflect on Santa’s evolving significance in an age of consumerism and societal change. It’s a call to reconsider our collective mythology, explore the deeper narratives beneath the holiday icon, and contemplate what Santa represents in the broader human experience.
Matthew Askey spoke about his St Nicholas images in my interview with him for ArtWay.
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Bruce Springsteen - Santa Claus Is Coming' To Town.
