Press Release
Nick Fraser: Chapter II
31 July 2026 · Shoreditch Arts Club, London
A life rediscovered. A legacy returned to the East End.
At a glance
- Exhibition
- Nick Fraser: Chapter II
- Date
- Friday 31 July 2026
- Location
- Shoreditch Arts Club
6 Redchurch Street, London E2 7DD - Admission
- £10 advance · £15 on the door
On 31 July 2026, Nick Fraser: Chapter II opens for one day only at Shoreditch Arts Club — presenting the next stage in the remarkable rediscovery of one of East London's most enigmatic artistic voices.
Following the success of Chapter I and the growing recognition surrounding Fraser's work, Chapter II expands the story beyond the paintings, offering audiences a deeper and more intimate insight into the life behind the canvas.
Born in 1946 and known privately for decades as a fiercely independent and deeply contemplative artist, Fraser created a powerful body of work exploring masculinity, spirituality, identity, memory and human existence. Working largely outside the traditional art world, he developed an uncompromising visual language that remained hidden from public view for much of his life.
This new exhibition brings together a curated selection of original works alongside previously unseen archival materials, rare photographs and intimate film footage captured over many years by Fraser's lifelong friend and custodian, Mark O'Shaughnessy. For the first time, audiences will be invited deeper into Fraser's world through moving image, personal history and the environments that shaped both the artist and his practice.
The exhibition carefully explores the context behind the work. It reflects a life lived within the traditions of the East End while carrying deeper questions surrounding identity, self-expression and emotional vulnerability. Rather than seeking to define Fraser, Chapter II creates space to reflect upon the complexity of the man behind the paintings.
“It was an honour to call Nick a friend, to stand by him through his life, and later to be trusted with his work. To now see his story being shared, and brought back to the East End where we spent so much time together, means a great deal to me.”
Over recent years, Fraser's archive and legacy have continued through the work of curator Marcus O'Shaughnessy, whose ongoing research, preservation and public presentation of the collection has brought renewed attention to the artist's extraordinary life and work.
“Over the past few years, Nick Fraser's journey has profoundly shaped my own. What began as an act of care has become something much deeper — a responsibility and a privilege. To bring his work back to the East End, the place that formed him, feels especially meaningful.”
Set within Shoreditch Arts Club — an East End members club and cultural events space for artists and curators — Chapter II will unfold as an immersive one-day experience combining original artworks, archival projection, rare film footage and a live musical performance from BoThai.
More than an exhibition, Chapter II is an act of cultural preservation and rediscovery — reconnecting an overlooked artist with the city, community and streets that shaped his life.
The Trailer
The official Chapter 2 advert.
A short cinematic introduction to the exhibition — the work, the venue and the evening. Embed-ready for editorial use.
Watch on YouTube →Press enquiries
For interviews, images and accreditation.
- @nickfraserart
Press kits, high-resolution images, exhibition photography, archive stills and interview opportunities with Marcus O'Shaughnessy are available on request.