One of the many beautiful abstracts by Anthony Pyke on show at Hastings Arts Forum

British abstract artist celebrated with posthumous show at Hastings Arts Forum

Born in London 1921, Anthony Pyke was an intensely private person but in spite of himself, he gained an international reputation. His brilliant and uncompromising work is in private ownership throughout the world.

His work is a unique representation of a contemporary vision from a period which has been largely overlooked, but which remains relevant for today. During his life, his work was exhibited alongside the London Group and at the Royal Academy, the Redfern Gallery, the Drian Gallery and the Grosvenor Gallery.

Whilst he was alive, Pyke was only concerned with painting and was fortunate enough not to be unduly pressured by selling his work. He died in 2001 at the age of eighty. During his life he had gained an international recognition and he wanted his work to be exhibited and not forgotten. To fulfill his wishes, his family have arranged for his work to be shown so it can be appreciated by and an inspiration for other artists and the world.

He worked for many years on a part-time basis as an Art/Diagnostic Therapist, which gave him the freedom to develop a personal idée-fixe without the pressure of exhibitions. His inspiration came from a profound understanding of landscape, and many of his later paintings are derivative of the landscape and seascape of the South East Coast of England where he had his home.

Art Review journal described him as:

“An English Palmeresque Romantic with reminders in his work of early Sutherland and Piper, the landscape forms have been condensed in to a highly complicated abstracted structures – typical marriage of figuration and abstraction. The result is highly personal and original; one hears the individual voice. These paintings show invention and curiosity controlled by a classical feeling for balance. Their poetry is conditioned by a tough, non sentimental quality in the colour and paint. Two canvasses show Pyke at his most mystical; “November Landscape” a large hierarchical composition in sombre colours and “Season of Mists”, more lyrical and heightened.

Pyke is disciplined. Hard and angular patterns and restrained but beautifully harmonised patches of colour make him an artist who deserves careful study. His method is strictly abstract but the inspiration comes, in each case, from the landscape closely observered and fully understood. It is not difficult to guess, even without help from his titles, that the moods of nature are his starting points.”

Anthony Pyke’s work is on show at Hastings Arts Forum until 15 April.
There is an open evening this Friday, from 6.30–8.30pm. All welcome.
Hastings Arts Forum, 36 Marina, St Leonards-on-Sea  TN38 0BJ

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