Roy Turner Durrant
Encyclopedia
Roy Turner Durrant was a 20th century English abstract artist.
He was born in Lavenham
, Suffolk, England on 4 October 1925. He had a love of drawing from an early age which continued as a driving force throughout his life. His lifelong motto was "ars longa, vita brevis" "art is never ending, life is short" which he may have first seen in the bell tower of Lavenham Church, and following his wish was also inscribed on his tombstone in Lavenham Churchyard.
He had his first exhibition in the Lavenham Guildhall while still at school and his drawings were currency for him at school when he swapped them with class mates for cigarette cards and other items.
He left school at 14 years of age but continued to spend his spare time drawing and painting. He worked in a local electrical shop until the advent of the war joined the Suffolk Regiment. After the war he secured a place at Camberwell College of Arts
where he was taught by amongst others Edward Ardizone and was a contemporary of Theodore Mendez
. Whilst at Camberwell he was already exhibiting his paintings in London galleries. His work moved from early landscape and architectural interest to abstraction but with a great variety of style and technique.
In 1963 he moved to Cambridge where he took a job as the Art Gallery Manager at Heffers a well known local art and booksellers. He continued his vocation of painting in his days off, spending his evenings reading (mainly 19th and 20th century literature and poetry) or listening to the radio (Radio 3 or 4).
Durrant published a book of poetry "The Rag Book of Love" (Scorpion Press
, 1960)
He exhibited frequently throughout his life, holding numerous one man exhibitions both locally and in London. He frequently had works included in the annual Royal Academy in London Summer Exhibitions.
His works have been collected by public galleries, universities and colleges worldwide and interest in his work both in Britain and overseas has continued since his death in 1998. There have been several exhibitions of his work including a one man show at the Fine Art Society in New Bond Street London in May 2008. A book about Durrant is to be published in September 2011.
He was born in Lavenham
Lavenham
Lavenham is a village and civil parish in Suffolk, England. It is noted for its 15th century church, half-timbered medieval cottages and circular walk. In the medieval period it was among the 20 wealthiest settlements in England...
, Suffolk, England on 4 October 1925. He had a love of drawing from an early age which continued as a driving force throughout his life. His lifelong motto was "ars longa, vita brevis" "art is never ending, life is short" which he may have first seen in the bell tower of Lavenham Church, and following his wish was also inscribed on his tombstone in Lavenham Churchyard.
He had his first exhibition in the Lavenham Guildhall while still at school and his drawings were currency for him at school when he swapped them with class mates for cigarette cards and other items.
He left school at 14 years of age but continued to spend his spare time drawing and painting. He worked in a local electrical shop until the advent of the war joined the Suffolk Regiment. After the war he secured a place at Camberwell College of Arts
Camberwell College of Arts
Camberwell College of Arts is a constituent college of the University of the Arts London, and is widely regarded as one of the world's foremost art and design institutions. It is located in Camberwell, South London, England, with two sites situated at Peckham Road and Wilson Road...
where he was taught by amongst others Edward Ardizone and was a contemporary of Theodore Mendez
Theodore Mendez
Theodore Mendez 1934-1997 was an abstract artist who taught at Camberwell College of Arts in London for over thirty years. After attending Strand School, he entered Camberwell College of Arts in 1950 as a student, where his contemporaries included Terry Frost, Howard Hodgkin, Euan Uglow, Roy...
. Whilst at Camberwell he was already exhibiting his paintings in London galleries. His work moved from early landscape and architectural interest to abstraction but with a great variety of style and technique.
In 1963 he moved to Cambridge where he took a job as the Art Gallery Manager at Heffers a well known local art and booksellers. He continued his vocation of painting in his days off, spending his evenings reading (mainly 19th and 20th century literature and poetry) or listening to the radio (Radio 3 or 4).
Durrant published a book of poetry "The Rag Book of Love" (Scorpion Press
Scorpion Press
Scorpion Press may refer to:* Scorpion Press - a poetry publisher active in the late 1960s in London* a publisher of limited editions of crime fiction established in 1991...
, 1960)
He exhibited frequently throughout his life, holding numerous one man exhibitions both locally and in London. He frequently had works included in the annual Royal Academy in London Summer Exhibitions.
His works have been collected by public galleries, universities and colleges worldwide and interest in his work both in Britain and overseas has continued since his death in 1998. There have been several exhibitions of his work including a one man show at the Fine Art Society in New Bond Street London in May 2008. A book about Durrant is to be published in September 2011.
External links
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/artists/roy-turner-durrant