Year Past, Year Present

As we take our leave of 2025 and prepare for 2026, it's time for me to review last year and give news about upcoming projects.

Last year was an extremely busy and productive for me. January saw the launch of three linocut prints, including my two most complex prints: a snow scene and Kafka in the Garden. Getting such prints right takes many studio visits and lots of checking of each print. (View here: https://www.imperiumpress.org/merch/posters-and-prints/) February saw the end of my exhibition at the Museum of the Warsaw Archdiocese, which had opened the previous year. Spring to summer was mainly concerned with painting works for my exhibition “Kinderszenen” (June-August) at S7 Gallery, Warsaw, which I went to Poland to hang and attend the opening. The exhibition featured new paintings and themes not previously approached, such as the cityscape from architectural model.

May saw the launch of my first novel The Naked Spur (Imperium Press, link: https://www.imperiumpress.org/shop/the-naked-spur-exeter-house/). The novel explores the plight of an artist named “A.”, who participates in a scheme to sell nude paintings by commission, using a blend of deception and canny promotion. It gives a glimpse of London in the 2000-3 period. Interviews and articles occupied me for some of that month and the launch party was held at Verdurin, London.

September was the launch date of How to Start a Dissident Art Movement (Imperium Press, link: https://www.imperiumpress.org/shop/how-to-start-a-dissident-art-movement/), a book that collected articles addressing the establishment of a new aesthetic and alternative arts economy free to state influence. It also included my thoughts on the personal journey necessary for every artist who wishes to pursue a course that follows his moral, political and intellectual independence.

The group exhibition Power and Intimacy (London, mid-October) featured new art by me, including the first self-portraits in 10 years and my first painting in colour for decades. There was a lot interviews and articles associated with that, including a live television discussion. I also gave a speech at the Traditional Britain Conference in London, overlapping with that exhibition. November and December consisted of making new art and writing an artist monograph. It also saw the establishment of the independent Alexander Adams Archive, which holds hundreds of documents, letters, catalogues, articles, reviews, posters, ephemera and manuscripts relating to my career.

I am aware that this activity meant that my posting on Substack (regrettably) reduced but a look ahead gives you a view of what to expect here next year.

As well as working on new reviews, articles, books and art, in 2026 I shall be publishing Substack pieces on the following subjects: two books critiques of right-wing politics (by authors from a sympathetic position), Lovecraft’s architectural aesthetics, the art of the nocturne, why Renoir matters to dissidents, the experience of art schools (and whether we still need them) and other subjects. There will also be exclusive reveals of new art and new books. There will also be more creative and unexpected pieces. Most of these will be free to read but a handful of pieces will be for paid subscribers only.

Thank you for your support over the last year. Your encouragement and responses help me greatly and free me of some responsibilities to concentrate on outside assignments. I wish you all a happy, healthy and productive 2026.