New One-Person Exhibition:
TERRY FROST A Book of Ideas Paintings and Collages from the Artist’s Large Format Work Book. 19 June – 15 July 2017. Private View 17 June 6 – 8pm.
A rare opportunity to view a selection of work from the artist’s large format work/sketch book – never previously exhibited.
A Book of Ideas – Page 22, Acrylic; 46 x 37cm by Terry Frost
Following Terry Frost’s death in 2003, the studio contents were gradually relocated to a specially converted art store. Whilst archiving the artist’s collection some years later, a large format, cloth-bound sketchbook was discovered amongst the artist’s retained paintings and effects.
The richly illustrated volume contained over 50 paintings and collages. A number of these images were developed into known paintings or worked into recognisable print media editions, but some have remained as fascinating prototypes/imaginings of what might have been. Several of the artist’s favourite subjects are explored here, for example ‘Suspended Forms’, ‘Sun and Moon’ theme, the ‘Lorca’ series, etc. The book covers the period 1970s up to 1981.
We have selected a group of 32 individual works from the sketchbook to be mounted and framed for this exhibition. Mostly mixed media, all the works are a standard page size of 46 x 37cm single sheet and 46 x 74cm double sheet. The artworks have been reproduced for this exhibition catalogue in approximately the same sequence they appear in the original sketchbook, to follow the artist’s thought processes.
Over half the originals from the Book of Ideas are reproduced in an archival catalogue published to accompany the exhibition.
A Book of Ideas – Page 7, Collage, gouache and oil pastel; 46 x 37cm by Terry Frost
SIR TERRY FROST RA (1915 – 2003)
Frost was born in Leamington Spa within a working class family. He was encouraged to paint by the artist Adrian Heath, a fellow captive, whilst a Prisoner of War in Germany. Frost moved to St Ives in 1947 and formed part of the group of younger artists (including Sven Berlin, W Barns-Graham and Bryan Wynter) attracted to the place by the cheaper living costs, better climate/light than much of the UK and the other artists already established in the area – Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson etc.
Quickly gaining recognition amongst his peers, Frost was awarded the Gregory Fellowship at Leeds University (1952). Teaching at Leeds College of Art, he later became Professor of Painting at Reading University (a position he held until retiring from Teaching in 1981).
Frost exhibited extensively in the UK and Overseas in both one person and significant group exhibitions. He was one of a small number of British Artists at the time with an international reputation. He was elected Royal Academician in 1992 and Knighted for his services to Art and Art Education in 1998. His work is in major private and public collections worldwide including Tate Gallery, Arts Council and British Council. There is also an extensive bibliography for the artist.
Best know for his exuberant and colourful abstract paintings, collages and prints, Terry Frost shared his zest for art and life with boundless energy and enthusiasm.
Portrait of Terry Frost in his Newlyn studio c.1999, courtesy of the Artist’s Estate
BELGRAVE ST IVES
The gallery has a long association of working with the artist Terry Frost and subsequently with the Artist’s Estate. The artist’s first one-person show with the gallery was held in 1989.
The Belgrave Gallery was established in London in1974 and its sister gallery opened in St Ives in 1998, becoming independent as Belgrave St Ives in 2010. The gallery specialises in exhibiting Modern British and Contemporary Art with an emphasis on work produced in Cornwall.
A Book of Ideas – Page 14/15, Gouache and graphite; 46 x 74cm by Terry Frost
NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information and images (and higher resolution), please contact Richard Blackborow: Belgrave St Ives, 22 Fore Street, St Ives, Cornwall TR26 1HE richard@belgravestives.co.uk tel. 01736 794888
ENDS
Above: ‘An Artist Renewed By Time, Earth and Place’ • 
Above: Brian Rice, Wessex Landscape 1982, Gouache on Bockingford paper; 58.5 x 76 cms.
Brian Rice: The Creation of the Buddha of Time Passed, 1962, Oil on canvas; 121 x 91.5 cms.
Number One 1960, Oil and mixed media on board; 91.5 x 121 cms by Brian Rice.
