In association with City & Guilds of London Art School and hosted by John's widow Silvia MacRae Brown, this retrospective exhibition honours the work of one of Britain's finest sculptors. Although perhaps best known for his works in replacement carving, John was an original sculptor. From the 1960's he was developing creative ideas but the need to earn an income compelled him to work on the carving of figures in cathedrals as well as teaching stone carving. His heart was always in his search for sculptural ideas however.

As Ross Fuller writes: "John was stubbornly extraordinary. He loved the quality of medieval stone sculpture from the inside, being one of the very few artists in the country equipped to emulate it. In my mind's eye he is a child gazing in awe at the west front of a cathedral, absorbing the form of the stones and the aspiration of the anonymous carvers. Form is a branch of love. He lived this love he had discovered without sparing himself, and learnt from it things that can never be found in books. His draughtsmanship was a joy to see. His dedication disturbed the authorities. He shared his knowledge hesitantly and shyly with his students. He hardly knew his own good. He was, in turn, respected more than he realised. He sensed the unity of art and craft within a spiritual culture, and suffered deeply for its absence in our time."

Tony Carter, Principal of City and Guilds of London Art School adds: "John Roberts left his mark where perhaps it most belonged, in the fabric of great historic buildings and on the lives of students who continue to practice the skills he taught; he represented these at City and Guilds of London Art School with both grace and conviction and he will be remembered and respected by all there who knew him."