Having lived in the village of Lania, Corbidge made a series of portraits of elderly Cyprus folk. The old man’s face is scarred by the toll of time and the hardships of life. His eyes speak of pain, suspicion and mild resentment. His hair is untidy and he wears a moustache like most men folk in the villages. This is a grisaille that speaks of the man’s soul. The bold and aggressive strokes express the hardship of life on the man's face but the slight leaning forward show a humility and kindness despite the rough appearance.
John Corbidge was born in Sheffield, England, on February 3, 1935, and passed away in November 2003. Corbidge attended school in Glasgow and later in Elstree, London, where visits to local film studios sparked his imagination. He studied at the Sheffield College of Arts (1944) and the Sheffield College of Arts and Crafts (1951), where he was influenced by former Prix de Rome scholar Eric Jones. His tutor’s passion for Italian art left a lasting impact on Corbidge’s artistic style.
Corbidge exhibited in Cyprus, where he also executed mosaics and bas-reliefs in Limassol. He held numerous one-man shows and participated in group exhibitions across Europe and the United States, earning critical acclaim and establishing himself as a prominent artist.
Ιn 1965, Corbidge settled in Athens, Greece, and became deeply inspired by Greek music, poetry, and folklore. He held several one-man shows in Athens and Nicosia and designed theatre sets for an American repertory company.
During the Greek Military Junta in 1968, Corbidge returned to Cyprus, where he held a one-man show at the Hilton, Nicosia, and decided to settle permanently in 1969. The Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 led to the loss of his home and studio, but he continued creating art, focusing on the Cyprus tragedy in a series called “Bitter Sun.”
Throughout his career, John Corbidge pursued a powerful, personal vision in his art, avoiding compromises and maintaining his artistic integrity. His work can be found in private and national collections worldwide.
PNT-00129 > John Corbidge, Old Man, Watercolour, 65x43 cm, 1971
The 'Sneak Peek' series is supported by The Hellenic Initiative Canada.
