An exhibition of plein-air paintings and pastel drawings by Christopher Alexander (1926-1982) and Steven Alexander (b. 1951), focusing on the sea, the seashore, and the harbours, as well as the skies.

Christopher Alexander was born and brought up in Margate, as were his five sons. He is acknowledged to be among the best figurative draughtsman of his generation, studying at the Royal College of Art, and he devoted his life to teaching others the skills he had mastered, while at the same time producing a stunning body of work - paintings and, especially, drawings that are in many cases as good as any you will ever see. Have a look at the book about his life and work, and you will see that there is no exaggeration in these claims.

Four of his five sons drew and painted from an early age under his guidance, and two of them subsequently studied art and have built very successful careers as professional artists. Steven opted for Spanish and French, but has drawn and painted as an amateur ‘repeat offender’ for the last fifty years, and has exhibited in a number of venues. Events conspired (as they will sometimes) to provide very short notice for the selection of work; there was not enough time to frame up works by the master that tallied with the theme, and so the two fine examples of his work rub shoulders here with a larger selection of paintings and pastels by Steven, made from hundreds that have been inspired by his father.