Art on a Postcard x St Wilfrid's Hospice: The Paintings and Ceramics
14 SEPTEMBER 2023 - 03 OCTOBER 2023Notes
About
Robert E. Wells is a Yorkshire-born painter who studied in London and is now living in East Sussex. Many people know him for his cityscape paintings, particularly around London, where unusual figure groupings and incidental traffic with brightly coloured details are set against a strong architectural backdrop. He worked for several years as an architectural illustrator, which you can see in many of his paintings, including the image opposite from the Towner Collection. It’s just an ordinary entrance to a regular house in an Amsterdam Street, but Robert’s choice of what to capture is what makes it interesting. Rather than depicting the house as a complete architectural entity, he has focused on the arch that leads to the side door, with just a peek at the windows on the right. It is somehow more intriguing this way, and you can sense the artist’s enjoyment in seeking out unusual views which encourages the viewer, in turn, to see places from a different perspective. In recent years, his work has seen a shift from architecture to include more figurative elements with complex multi-layered narratives, whilst retaining a freedom in paint application. He is increasingly inspired by the landscape, with atmospheric paintings of rural scenes. Robert is a member of the New English Art Club – a society that fits perfectly with Robert’s interests and sensibilities. It’s refreshing to see an artist with such an open and candid view of life and his work, and to witness in this book an unfolding story of self-expression.
Education
Batley School of Art
1976-84 Designer, Architectural Interiors
MA. University of East London. 1990
Select Exhibitions/Awards
PRIZES AND AWARDS
2014, 2017 The Davison Award for Oil Painting
RBA 2016 Frinton Frames Award
RBA 2012 The Howard de Walden Art Prize (First)
2007 Daler-Rowney Prize
2006 President’s Choice
He is a member of the RBA and NEAC.
Gallery Representation
REGULAR EXHIBITIONS
NEAC Annual Exhibition
RBA Annual Exhibition
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Towner Art Gallery
Pannett Art Gallery and Museum
Russell Gallery
Adrian Hill Fine Art
Thompsons
Gladwell & Patterson
Statement about AOAP Submitted Artwork
A personal study of my daughter doing what comes natural.... Looking in the mirror.
You must not reproduce, duplicate, copy, sell, resell or exploit any works. In doing so, you endanger our relationships with artists, and directly jeopardise the charitable work we do.
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3. Fred Whitehead RCA (1936-2021)
Fishing Boats, 'Stade' Beach, HastingsOil on Canvas, 39.5 x 49.2 x 3.6 cm.
Auction Ended
13. Freyja Lee
Golden Snake and FlowerCeramic with 9ct Gold Lustre, 29 x 35.5 x 13.5 cm.