Malcolm Hughes
Encyclopedia
Malcolm Hughes was a British constructive
artist. He was born in Manchester
and during the second world war, he was a radio operator in the Royal Navy
. After the war he became influenced by British abstract artists of the period whilst training at the Regional College of Art in Manchester and then later at the Royal College of Art
in London. Whilst he was a student in London his work was in the socialist realism
style and he was involved in painting a large mural at the Royal Courts of Justice
. By the 1960s he had developed his own form of constructivism and his work was exhibited at the Institute of Contemporary Arts
in London and the Salon des Réalités Nouvelles
in Paris.
He taught at a number of institutions during his life. During the 1960s he taught part-time at the architecture department of the Polytechnic of Central London, Bath Academy of Art and Chelsea School of Art where he taught alongside two other constructive artists, John Ernest
and Anthony Hill. In 1970 he began to teach part-time at the Slade School of Art and in 1973 began to run the graduate programme there.
His works are in a number of collections, including at the Tate
, Warwick University, Manchester City Art Gallery, Sussex University and the British Council
.
In 2008, his work featured in an exhibition at Southampton City Art Gallery
alongside other constructive artists, including Peter Lowe
, Mary Martin
.
Constructivism (art)
Constructivism was an artistic and architectural philosophy that originated in Russia beginning in 1919, which was a rejection of the idea of autonomous art. The movement was in favour of art as a practice for social purposes. Constructivism had a great effect on modern art movements of the 20th...
artist. He was born in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
and during the second world war, he was a radio operator in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. After the war he became influenced by British abstract artists of the period whilst training at the Regional College of Art in Manchester and then later at the Royal College of Art
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
in London. Whilst he was a student in London his work was in the socialist realism
Socialist realism
Socialist realism is a style of realistic art which was developed in the Soviet Union and became a dominant style in other communist countries. Socialist realism is a teleologically-oriented style having its purpose the furtherance of the goals of socialism and communism...
style and he was involved in painting a large mural at the Royal Courts of Justice
Royal Courts of Justice
The Royal Courts of Justice, commonly called the Law Courts, is the building in London which houses the Court of Appeal of England and Wales and the High Court of Justice of England and Wales...
. By the 1960s he had developed his own form of constructivism and his work was exhibited at the Institute of Contemporary Arts
Institute of Contemporary Arts
The Institute of Contemporary Arts is an artistic and cultural centre on The Mall in London, just off Trafalgar Square. It is located within Nash House, part of Carlton House Terrace, near the Duke of York Steps and Admiralty Arch...
in London and the Salon des Réalités Nouvelles
Salon des Réalités Nouvelles
The Salon des Réalités Nouvelles is an association of artists and an art exhibition in Paris, focusing on abstract art.A first exhibition with the name was held in 1939 in Galerie Charpentier, organised by Robert Delaunay, Sonia Delaunay, Nelly van Doesburg and Fredo Sidès.In 1946 the Salon was...
in Paris.
He taught at a number of institutions during his life. During the 1960s he taught part-time at the architecture department of the Polytechnic of Central London, Bath Academy of Art and Chelsea School of Art where he taught alongside two other constructive artists, John Ernest
John Ernest
John Ernest was an American-born constructivist abstract artist. He was born in Philadelphia, USA, in 1922. After living and working in Sweden and Paris from 1946 to 1951, he moved to London England where he lived and worked from 1951...
and Anthony Hill. In 1970 he began to teach part-time at the Slade School of Art and in 1973 began to run the graduate programme there.
His works are in a number of collections, including at the Tate
Tate
-Places:*Tate, Georgia, a town in the United States*Tate County, Mississippi, a county in the United States*Táté, the Hungarian name for Totoi village, Sântimbru Commune, Alba County, Romania*Tate, Filipino word for States...
, Warwick University, Manchester City Art Gallery, Sussex University and the British Council
British Council
The British Council is a United Kingdom-based organisation specialising in international educational and cultural opportunities. It is registered as a charity both in England and Wales, and in Scotland...
.
In 2008, his work featured in an exhibition at Southampton City Art Gallery
Southampton City Art Gallery
The Southampton City Art Gallery is an art gallery in Southampton, southern England. It is located in the Civic Centre on Commercial Road.The gallery's art collection covers six centuries of European art history, with over 3,500 works. It is housed in an example of 1930s municipal architecture...
alongside other constructive artists, including Peter Lowe
Peter Lowe
Peter Lowe is a British Constructivism artist. He was born in London at Victoria Park, Hackney. He studied at Goldsmiths' College 1954–60 where he was taught by Mary and Kenneth Martin. Lowe's work is rational, abstract and geometric. In 1960 he constructed and exhibited his first geometric...
, Mary Martin
Mary Martin
Mary Virginia Martin was an American actress and singer. She originated many roles over her career including Nellie Forbush in South Pacific and Maria in The Sound of Music. She was named a Kennedy Center Honoree in 1989...
.