Euan Uglow – An Arc from the Eye Opens at MK Gallery

Situated in central Milton Keynes, next to Milton Keynes Theatre, the Gallery has long championed bold, thought-provoking exhibitions that connect global artistic voices with local audiences.

This spring, MK Gallery presents Euan Uglow – An Arc from the Eye, on display from 14 February to 31 May 2026. Marking the first solo exhibition of Uglow’s work in a UK public gallery for 20 years, the show brings together many of his most ambitious paintings created over a remarkable five-decade career. The exhibition opens with works by five artists who taught or influenced Uglow, including Paul Cézanne and Alberto Giacometti, setting the context for a practice rooted in discipline, precision and a deep engagement with form.

Best known for his painstakingly observed paintings of nudes, portraits, landscapes and still lifes, Uglow’s work is defined by its rigorous focus on balance, proportion and geometrical structure. Measuring and re-measuring his subjects over extended periods, he constructed compositions that feel both intensely analytical and quietly intimate. An Arc from the Eye offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience the clarity and complexity of his vision at scale.

Euan Uglow (1932–2000) was one of Britain’s most respected post-war painters. Associated with the School of London, he became known for his meticulous working methods and uncompromising commitment to observation. Though celebrated within artistic circles, Uglow’s work has rarely been brought together in a major public exhibition in recent decades, making this presentation particularly significant.

The exhibition is curated by Catherine Lampert, an esteemed curator, writer and former Director of the Whitechapel Gallery. A long-time champion of Uglow’s work, Lampert brings deep insight and scholarship to the exhibition, shaping a presentation that illuminates both his influences and his enduring legacy within British painting.

Visitors are encouraged to get along to MK Gallery to experience Euan Uglow – An Arc from the Eye and to explore everything else the Gallery has to offer — from its wider programme of exhibitions and events to its learning spaces, cinema and café. Whether you’re a long-time art enthusiast or simply curious, there’s always something new to discover.