“Einstein, disguised as Robin Hood with his memories in a trunk/ Passed this way an hour ago with his friend, a jealous monk [….] /You would not think to look at him, but he was famous long ago/ For playing the electric violin on Desolation Row….” Bob Dylan
This painting by Chris Gollon takes partial inspiration from the above lyrics from Bob Dylans great ballad ‘Desolation Row’ (1964).Chris Gollon was a friend of The Skids and enjoyed the company of musicians, often using great song lyrics as a starting point for ideas that then led to new imagery. Purchased from IAP Fine Art by the Museum for its permanent collection in 2005, this major work hangs alongside Sir Jacob Epstein’s bust of Einstein and major works by Francis Bacon, John Bellany, Henry Moore, Walter Sickert and L.S. Lowry.
In 2019, a museum retrospective of his music-related works ‘CHRIS GOLLON: Beyond the Horizon’ was held at the Huddersfield Art Gallery, curated by IAP Fine Art, which included ‘Einstein & the Jealous Monk (after Bob Dylan)’ and it also features in the exhibition catalogue.
CHRIS GOLLON: Beyond the Horizon’ available here: Shop
