“Painting is a mysterious business”

12 Oct to 17 Dec 2010
“Painting is a mysterious business”
THE PAINTINGS OF DAVID FOWKES –
an exhibition organised by Kentmere House Gallery to be held at
The King’s Manor, University of York, Exhibition Square, York

David Fowkes, who celebrated his 90th birthday in December, has lived in York for 30 years and taught for many years at York College of Art. David has a great following in the city and has shown several times previously at the University of York. His work is in many private collections, including that of: HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

He comes from a renowned family of artists and was fortunate to spend his formative years living in an art gallery, in Eastbourne, where his father was curator. There he met many of the famous artists of the early 20th century, such as Eric Ravilious. He then taught for many years at Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen, before retiring to York in 1980.

Much of his painting is of the landscape and cities of Italy, which he visited annually for many years. David regards himself primarily as a figurative painter but is an admirer of those painters who can combine abstract and figurative elements. He writes:

“Whether in Yorkshire, the far North West of Scotland, Amsterdam or Italy, I always have a notebook to draw and record tonal and colour relationships. Back in the studio in the winter (and sometimes years later) I select a drawing which I think could make a painting. I carefully transfer the drawing exactly to the canvas. as I believe that what made me draw a particular set of relationships in the first place must be accurately repeated on the canvas. Then as the painting develops it changes: sometimes small, sometimes very big changes may happen, but all is in response to one’s initial visual excitement. Painting is a mysterious business.”

There will be a preview on Monday 11 October from 6-8pm at which the artist will be present. Please email the gallery (ann@kentmerehouse.co.uk) for an invitation.

The exhibition will then be open from 9-5pm, Monday – Friday.