Richard Bawden NEAC (1936 - 2024)

Statement

Many things stimulated and inspired Bawden: scale, mood, atmosphere, austerity and the abstract, but also intricate, decorative texture. Paradoxically, he might be inspired by complete opposites. However, he always enjoyed many aspects of design; engraved glass, cast iron furniture, textiles and typography.

Methodology

Bawden was a painter, printmaker and designer. As an artist, he worked from life; that is his starting point. It affected how he felt, saw, and interpreted a visual image. He believed in drawing; the very act is intensely emotional, and had a natural sense of design and logic which he used in his work.

He painted in watercolour on location; interiors that have atmosphere; people whom he knew; and always his cats. He varied between using a dip pen fed with watercolour, painting directly, and his two etching presses and a large Albion press for linocuts. Lino is very uncompromising, but etching is painterly. A print is a means of taking an idea a stage further; everything has to be consciously resolved.

Bio

1936 Born on 18 March in Braintree, Essex

1955-57 Studied at Chelsea School of Art and St Martins School of Art

1962 Became an Associate of the Royal College of Art

1962-2003 Part-time teaching at the following art schools: Hastings, Walthamstow, Colchester, Chelmsford, Braintree and City & Guilds

1984 Elected as a Member of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers

1984-92 Chairman Gainsborough’s House Print Workshop

1986-97 Member of the Board of Governors, Gainsborough’s House

1994-2008 Tutor for weekend printmaking courses at Broadlands Art Centre, Norfolk

1996 Elected a Member of the Royal Watercolour Society (served on Council)

2006 Elected as a Member of the New English Art Club

Memberships

Royal Watercolour Society, Associate of the Royal College of Art, Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers, Gainsborough’s House Print Workshop