An exhibition celebrating the life and work of Glynn Boyd Harte; artist,author, illustrator and traveller as well as being "one of the most curious and flamboyant characters on the London social scene," (Telegraph 2003).
10 years since his death Curwen Gallery is holding a retrospective of his remaining works, taken from the personal collection of his widow, Carrie Boyd Harte.
The exhibition contains a wide selection of works from many different periods of the artist's life.Many recall periods of spent abroad, such as the vivid illustrations from his much celebrated book Mr Harte's Holiday, represented in the exhibition by
Villa Les Flots (above) and
Boite aux Lettre as well as many other works.Other pieces, such as the wonderful
Salmon(below- a gallery favourite and one of the first to sell) and
Le Bain Marie, were produced as commercial illustrations for papers and advertisements.
Many of Boyd Harte's most interesting works celebrate particular times and places in the artists life, conjuring up an idea of a traditional Parisian cafe breakfast or the view of a favourite Fitzrovia shopfront.It is this effortless capturing of a moment which distinguishes him from his many imitators.His choice of scene is so often unconventional, as can be seen in
L'Aquarelle (below) or
Five Chairs, yet at the same time so appropriate to his subject.
Also on sale are two of his exceptionally rare artists books,
Temples of Power (a study of the architecture of London Power stations) and
Souvenier of Metroland (produced with the poet,John Betjeman).Many of his classic lithographs are also included in the exhibition,
Champagne and
Sardines, two immensely successful prints which are now very hard to get hold of.
Glynn Boyd Harte was born in Lancashire in 1948 and graduated from the Royal College of Art in 1973. He was also an accomplished pianist and composer and was locally famous for his flamboyant clothing and lavish fancy dress parties.He was master of the Art Workers Guild in 1995 and had regular solo exhibitions at Francis Kyle Gallery and Curwen Gallery as well as various galleries in Paris and New York. He travelled extensively, from St. Petersburg to San Francisco, with frequent stays painting in Paris. Glynn divided his time between his homes in Fitzrovia, London and Normandy, France.He died at the age of 55 on 16th December 2003, mid-way through his solo exhibition "Apples and Artichokes" at Curwen Gallery.
For more information on the exhibition see the gallery
website for an online catalogue of the exhibition.
Chloe Cheese, a trustee of the Curwen Print study center, has a long standing relationship with Curwen Gallery. Chloe works from the Curwen Studio using lithographic methods to create her prints.After leaving the Royal College of Art in 1976 she went on to work as an artist and illustrator. Quickly becoming well known for her distinctive work, she created a much imitated style which is instantly recognisable.
She has exhibited at galleries worldwide and has work in public collections including the Victoria & Albert Museum, London and the Arts Council of Great Britain.Chloe Cheese has also worked as a freelance illustrator with clients including The Sunday Times, Terence Conran at Habitat and Commes Des Garcons Japan.
Chloëʼs personal work always concerns her view of the world around her which she interprets according to her own observation and sensibility. Sometimes the first use or intention of buildings and things which have been lost or altered. She tries to retain a sense of history and how this subtly infiltrates our visual landscape.
Andrew Ingamells, showing in the lower gallery, is renowned for his portrayal of architectural subjects in both the U.K and abroad. His work, although contemporary in feel, continues a tradition of neo-classical draughtmanship made popular by Piranesi and others.
Born in 1956, Andrew Ingamells trained at St.Albans School of Art and the London College of Printing before embarking on a career as a graphic designer and illustrator. It was during this time that he started making drawings of individual buildings and architectural landscapes of London.
