Bill Englsih

About

Bill English was Born in 1931 and from a young age was developing as an artist. In 1952 he studied drawing and painting at the Royal Academy Schools. He was awarded the James Knott Traveling Scholarship in 1957 and traveled through Western Europe, this lead to many influential experiences. Bill Married in 1959 he continued to make regular trips to Spain with his wife Helen. Bill became inspired by the Catalan landscape and had several one-man exhibitions in the local region. Bill had a keen interest in education and searched for opportunities to teach in Art Schools. He went on to be head of Pre-Diploma Studies, Harrogate School of Art, Head of Fine Art, Derby College of Art and Design, Head of Fine Art, Trent Polytechnic, Nottingham and finally appointed Principal Norwich School of Art in 1972. Bill remained principal until 1988 with a gifted staff of Edward Middleditch, Neal Henderson, Derrick Greaves, John Wonnacott, John Lessore, Ana Maria Pacheco and numerous others. Bill says his influences are:
 “circumstances rather than individuals… all of it is integral with the nature of life. For a painting of mine to excite me it must surprise me, so chance and risk are important elements as is variety in idea, character, scale and treatment. Landscape in one form or another is fundamental to my work, whether more or less obviously so, abstract to a degree inherent is a search for a truth. The only person I aim to please is myself and I never do.”

This retrospective exhibition will feature works from different time periods through Bill’s Career. 

CV

1948 - 1952    Sunderland College of Art NDD Painting

1952 - 1956    Royal Academy Schools Cert RAS Painting

1956 - 1967     Leeds College of Art

1957 - 1958    RCA James Knott Travelling Scholarship

1959 - 1964    Head of Pre-Diploma Studies, Harrogate School of Art

1964 - 1967    Head of Fine Art, Derby College of Art and Design

1967 - 1972    Head of Fine Art, Trent Polytechnic, Nottingham

1972 - 1988    Principal Norwich School of Art 

1973 - 1976    Chairman Norfolk Contemporary Art Society

1988 - 1989    Commissioned to paint the Walpole Family Exhibited at Wolterton Hall

1989 - 1990    Chairman Chelsea Arts Club

Bill English has held one-man exhibitions in York (64), Norwich (79 & 85), Chelsea (88 & 91), Ipswich (90), Peralada, Catalonia (92), and Espolla (98).

He exhibited regularly in mixed exhibitions in London and various parts of England since his student days and has work in numerous private collections in this country and abroad.