Tony Bevan
Crucible for the Imagination
Tony Bevan, born in Bradford, UK in 1951 is considered to be one of Britain's most pre-eminent painters.
Bevan has had over 40 solo exhibitions and has achieved worldwide recognition and acclaim.
His works exist in many prominent international collections such as: the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; MoMA, New York; The National Portrait Gallery, London and the Tate Gallery, London.
Australia is to be honoured with exhibitions this year at Liverpool Street Gallery, Sydney and Niagara Galleries, Melbourne. Vault was privileged to catch up with Tony Bevan to have a chat.
Hi Tony, how are you enjoying Australia? You have had several shows at Liverpool Street Gallery and Niagara Galleries. We are so far away, what brings you back? Is it the cricket?
I know I shouldn't say this in Australia of all places, but sport is not high up on my interests. I first came to Australia about nine years ago to exhibit and I have many friends here. It is a long way, but it's worth it.
Which galleries do you show with in Europe and the United States?
I work with Ben Brown Fine Arts in London and more recently in Hong Kong. LA�Louver in Los Angeles, Galerie Vidal-Saint Phalle in Paris and Michel Soskine in Madrid.
Who were your influences in art school, and do you think as artists we are ever able to outgrow our early influences?
It was the whole of the so-called �Modern Movement' that influenced me; it was the breadth and speed of change. I think your early influences are always there: they have that power to begin with. As a child I grew up with African artifacts and as you imagine, that stays with you.
I think British painting has a wonderful purity and stillness, and�showcases great technical skill. Would you agree with this�observation?
I think this is true. You have giants like Constable and Turner. It angers me that art�schools in Britain are closing their painting departments. What a terrible situation. I suspect by administrators who don't know and don't care what they are doing.
Do you think England has always been a great source of talent and�creativity?
I think it has and this is because of its proximity to mainland Europe, with artists�and musicians moving to or visiting Britain, and of course vice versa.
Who are your favourite British artists and why?
Without making a long list, I would select Turner from the past and Freud for the�present: the reasons being you just have to look at the paintings.
Who were your contemporaries?
I've been asked this question many times and I have trouble with it. The reason is�this: I don't think generation barriers make sense in the arts. You move freely between generations and countries, you come into contact with many artists and�their work. So I can't list the people of my time. Subscribe to read this article in full
