14/08/2026
We are saddened to hear of the passing of artist Jack Crabtree (1938 – 2026), whose work and teaching left a lasting mark on Newport and the wider Welsh arts community.
Jack taught at Newport College of Art between 1966 – 1974, becoming an important figure in the city’s creative life. During his years in South Wales he produced many works inspired by the people, landscapes and industries of the region, developing the powerful social realist style for which he became widely recognised.
We are proud to care for a number of his paintings in our collection, including "Landscape with Pithead and Flowers" (https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/landscape-with-pithead-and-flowers-156208) which is currently on display in the gallery. We also recently celebrated Crabtree’s work through our exhibition "Roots and Rivets" with focus on his painting The Polluted Pool, Maindee, loaned by Amgueddfa Cymru
Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all those who were inspired by his art. His paintings will continue to tell the story of the people and places of South Wales, ensuring that his connection with Newport will not be forgotten.
Friends of Newport Museum and Art Gallery
Mae'n drist gennym glywed am farwolaeth yr artist Jack Crabtree (1938 — 2026). Mae ei waith a'i addysgu wedi creu argraff fawr ar Gasnewydd a chymuned gelfyddydol ehangach Cymru.
Addysgodd Jack yng Ngholeg Celf Casnewydd rhwng 1966 — 1974, gan ddod yn ffigwr pwysig ym mywyd creadigol y ddinas. Yn ystod ei flynyddoedd yn Ne Cymru cynhyrchodd lawer o weithiau a ysbrydolwyd gan bobl, tirweddau a diwydiannau'r rhanbarth, gan ddatblygu'r arddull realaidd gymdeithasol bwerus y cafodd ei gydnabod yn eang ar ei chyfer.
Rydym yn falch o ofalu am nifer o'i baentiadau yn ein casgliad, gan gynnwys Landscape with Pithead and Flowers (Landscape with Pithead and Flowers | Art UK) sy'n cael ei arddangos yn yr oriel ar hyn o bryd. Yn ddiweddar buom hefyd yn dathlu gwaith Crabtree trwy ein harddangosfa Roots and Rivets gan ganolbwyntio ar ei baentiad The Polluted Pool, Maindee, a fenthycwyd gan Amgueddfa Cymru.
Mae ein meddyliau gyda'i deulu, ffrindiau a phawb a gafodd eu hysbrydoli gan ei gelf. Bydd ei baentiadau yn parhau i adrodd hanes pobl a lleoedd De Cymru, gan sicrhau na fydd ei gysylltiad â Chasnewydd fyth yn cael ei anghofio.