Artist Tom de Freston's latest exhibition, Poíēsis, is a poignant exploration of grief, loss, and the human experience. The show, which opened at London's Varvara Roza Galleries on November 30th, brings together stunning works that capture the inner world of his wife, novelist Kiran Millwood Hargrave, during her pregnancies.
Through a series of large-scale paintings, de Freston delves into the complexities of human connection and the fragile nature of life. His artistic process was deeply personal, driven by his own experiences of loss and grief after seven miscarriages. These works were not initially intended for public display but have been transformed into powerful expressions of empathy and understanding.
De Freston's relationship with Millwood Hargrave is one of mutual respect and collaboration. Rather than a traditional artist-subject dynamic, she is an active participant in the creative process, bringing her own unique perspective to the works. The paintings are unposed and drawn from intimate photographs taken by de Freston during their domestic life together.
The exhibition showcases de Freston's fascination with Titian's Poesie series, which he views as a precursor to his own exploration of human vulnerability. His works capture the intricate web of emotions that underlies pregnancy and miscarriage, rendering them both beautiful and heart-wrenching. The paintings exude a sense of hope and ritualistic intentionality, reflecting the couple's shared desire for connection and understanding.
De Freston has spoken candidly about the transformative power of fatherhood on his creative life. The arrival of their daughter Coral marked a turning point in his artistic journey, shifting his focus from introspective exploration to a more expansive vision that celebrates the interconnectedness of human experience.
By presenting this extraordinary body of work, de Freston challenges the dominant narratives around art and the artist-subject relationship. His collaboration with Millwood Hargrave serves as a powerful reminder that empathy is both an act of creation and a vital component of artistic expression.
Poíēsis offers a deeply moving experience for viewers, inviting them to confront their own emotions and relationships. As de Freston's paintings reveal the inner world of his wife during pregnancy and miscarriage, they also invite us to ponder our own vulnerabilities and connections with others.
Through a series of large-scale paintings, de Freston delves into the complexities of human connection and the fragile nature of life. His artistic process was deeply personal, driven by his own experiences of loss and grief after seven miscarriages. These works were not initially intended for public display but have been transformed into powerful expressions of empathy and understanding.
De Freston's relationship with Millwood Hargrave is one of mutual respect and collaboration. Rather than a traditional artist-subject dynamic, she is an active participant in the creative process, bringing her own unique perspective to the works. The paintings are unposed and drawn from intimate photographs taken by de Freston during their domestic life together.
The exhibition showcases de Freston's fascination with Titian's Poesie series, which he views as a precursor to his own exploration of human vulnerability. His works capture the intricate web of emotions that underlies pregnancy and miscarriage, rendering them both beautiful and heart-wrenching. The paintings exude a sense of hope and ritualistic intentionality, reflecting the couple's shared desire for connection and understanding.
De Freston has spoken candidly about the transformative power of fatherhood on his creative life. The arrival of their daughter Coral marked a turning point in his artistic journey, shifting his focus from introspective exploration to a more expansive vision that celebrates the interconnectedness of human experience.
By presenting this extraordinary body of work, de Freston challenges the dominant narratives around art and the artist-subject relationship. His collaboration with Millwood Hargrave serves as a powerful reminder that empathy is both an act of creation and a vital component of artistic expression.
Poíēsis offers a deeply moving experience for viewers, inviting them to confront their own emotions and relationships. As de Freston's paintings reveal the inner world of his wife during pregnancy and miscarriage, they also invite us to ponder our own vulnerabilities and connections with others.
I mean, it's got some really deep stuff going on, but isn't it kinda weird that the artist is using his wife's photos without her permission? 
That's a pretty big creative deal-breaker for me. On the other hand, de Freston's process of working through his own grief and loss is super inspiring... or maybe it's just an excuse to make some really pretty paintings? 
I'm still not sure if I love this show or hate it – probably both at once? 
his relationship with her is so inspiring, they're like two artists working together in perfect harmony 
the way he explores grief and loss is so raw and beautiful... I think this exhibition needs to be seen by everyone! 
I'm really moved by this artist's work... he's so brave sharing his personal struggles through art 
de Freston's process is super inspiring, especially since he went through 7 miscarriages and still found a way to create something beautiful 
check out this video about the exhibition: 
. And can we please talk about how this guy's art is just a bunch of navel-gazing, and we're supposed to be all emotional and stuff because of it? Give me a break! 
Tom de Freston's Poíēsis is like a masterclass in capturing the human experience. I love how he's not afraid to be vulnerable and share his personal struggles with miscarriage and grief. It's so relatable! 
This exhibition is giving me all the feels - if you haven't checked it out yet, you need to ASAP!!! 
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It's crazy how Tom has turned that pain into something so hopeful & ritualistic. The way his paintings capture the intricate web of emotions during pregnancy/miscarriage is just wow 
It's all about empathy & understanding, and that's something we can all get behind 
. If you haven't checked out Poíēsis yet, trust me, you need to go ASAP 
Can we really trust the narrative here? And what about the fact that seven miscarriages is an incredibly personal experience – didn't his own grief cloud his judgment on how to depict it in art? I need some primary sources or evidence before I fully buy into this exhibition. 
... losing a baby is one of those things that can just rip your heart out and leave you feeling empty. I had a friend who went through a similar thing in uni, it was really tough to watch her go through that. But at the same time, I'm glad that Tom's art is helping people understand & cope with their own emotions 
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I'm intrigued by how he's taken personal experiences of loss and grief to create something so powerful and beautiful. It's like he's saying "hey, we're all in this together" 
And his focus on fatherhood has definitely shifted his art - I love that about it! His paintings are giving me all the feels, especially when they talk about hope and ritualistic intentionality... it's like you can feel the love and connection he and Kiran have 
I just watched that video about Tom de Freston's exhibition Poíēsis at London's Varvara Roza Galleries and it really got me thinking... 
It makes me think about how our experiences shape us as artists, right? 
What I'd love to know is what he thinks about social media and how it affects our relationships... like, how do we maintain intimacy when everyone's always documenting their lives online? 
for turning his grief into something so beautiful & powerful 
Coral, you're a blessing 
. I'm so here for this exhibition and I think it's going to spark some amazing conversations about empathy, vulnerability, and connection 
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