William Gear (painter)

William Gear (born August 2, 1915 in Methil , † February 27, 1997 in Birmingham ) was a Scottish painter.

Life

William Gear RA FRSA RBSA (1915–1997) Memorial plaque

William Gear is considered one of the most important abstract painters of his generation, especially in New Zealand , his paintings had a great influence on the following generations of artists. His painting Autumn Landscape won a prize at the Festival of Britain in 1951 , which caused a public sensation at the time. His painting March Landscape is exhibited at the Suter Gallery in New Zealand. The first exhibition of the painting sparked a public debate about modern art in New Zealand. The painting was later renamed March Landscape by the Suter Gallery . In addition to painting, Gear was one of the first artists in Great Britain to use the screen printing technique, and he also designed over a hundred wallpaper and fabric samples. In 2015, exhibitions were held in major UK museums and galleries in honor of his 100th birthday.

Awards, memberships and important positions

• from 1953: London Group
• 1958 to 1964: Curator at Tower Gallery in Eastbourne, London
• 1964 to 1975: Head of the Fine Arts Faculty at Birmingham College of Art
• 1966: Royal Birmingham Society of Artists; Visiting professor at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
• 1967: David Cargil Prize from the Glasgow Institute of Fine Arts
• 1968: National Council for Diplomas in Art and Design
• 1971: National Council for Diplomas in Art and Design, as an elected member
• 1975: Lorne Fellowship
• 1997: Leporello Prize from the state government of Lower Saxony

Web links

• William Gear 1915-1997. artuk.org, accessed September 18, 2019 . 
• William Gear RA (d.1997). fossegallery.com, accessed September 18, 2019 . 
• Tessa Sidey: Orbituary: William Gear . Independent.co.uk, March 10, 1997 (obituary, English)

Individual evidence