GEORGE GRAY (BRITISH, 1928-2015) (2)

Provenance
The artist, thence by descent

Footnote
George Gray (1928-2015) was born in Stirling. He studied Geology and Anatomy at Glasgow University, then graduated in Architecture from Edinburgh College of Art.

For two years, from 1954 to 1956, Gray worked in St. Ives, bringing him into contact with Ben Nicolson, Barbara Hepworth and potter Bernard Leach. After this formative St. Ives period, Gray divided his creativity between painting and architecture.

Gray’s painting was largely abstract, in oil, acrylic, or watercolour. He was fascinated by nature at its elemental level, particularly the cosmology and geology, and his painting reflects this interest. Light, sky, sea, and geological stratum were recurring themes. He worked at pace, committing concept to canvas, paper or board without hesitation or revision.

In the early 1960’s, Gray bought Staverton Court, a substantial Georgian estate near Cheltenham, and lived and painted there for two decades. He drove a silver-blue DB5, had two Salukis, and was married to the designer Beryl Gray. He spent the last part of his life in London, where his studio was in Ranelagh Gardens.

Gray exhibited his work throughout his career, including:
The Royal Scottish Academy - 1951, 1952, 1953
The Royal Academy - 1957, 1960
The Maclaurin Art Gallery, Ayr – 1989
The London International Art Fair – 1989
The Shore Gallery, Edinburgh – 1989
Georgetown Fine Art, Washington D.C. – 1990
Argile Gallery, London – 1991
Gallery 26, Highgate London – 1996
Ozten Zeki Gallery, London SW3 - 1996