Suffolk Gallery

Description

William Johnstone OBE (1897-1981)
​Untitled abstract
Ink on paper
signed with initials
Dimensions:W 53cm (20.9")H 74cm (29.1")
provenance: Christie's studio sale 1990

William Johnstone, O.B.E.1897 - 1981
Born the son of a farmer in the Scottish Borders, was at the forefront of British art world throughout the twentieth century. He became one of the first British artists to break with representation and paint purely abstract pictures. He was Principal at Camberwell College of Art from 1938- 1946 and then Principal at Central School of Arts and Crafts from 1947 to 1960. He had an eye for talented staff including Alan Davie, Anton Ehrenzweig, Patrick Heron, Earl Haig, John Minton, Eduardo Paolozzi, Victor Pasmore, Gordon Baldwin, William Turnbull all whom became leading figures in 20th century British art. He received an OBE for his contribution to art education in 1954 then returned home to the Borders in 1960 to concentrate on painting and return to farming