SIR TERRY FROST, R.A. (BRITISH, 1915-2003)
Red and Blue Collage
signed, titled and dated 'Red & Blue/Collage/Terry Frost/2002' (verso)
oil on canvas with collage laid onto board
17 x 11 cm. (6 3/4 x 4 1/4 in.)

Provenance
With Thompson's Gallery, Aldeburgh, where acquired by the present owner

Sir Terry Frost is best known for his dynamic compositions and use of shapes and colours. In the formative years of Frost’s artistic pursuits, he connected with fellow prisoner Adrian Heath during their time together in the prisoner of war camp at Stalag 383. In this challenging environment, Heath provided a source of inspiration to Frost, and the two engaged in discussions about their artistic ambitions and future pursuits. It was Heath who after the war, encouraged Frost to begin painting with his ex-serviceman’s grant.

Frost’s style can be characterised by vibrant colours, strong and bold shapes, and geometric abstractions. It is somewhat unsurprising that Victor Pasmore, an early advocate of abstraction within the British art scene, was Frost’s mentor during his time at the Camberwell School of Art. Frost’s exposure and interaction with the many talented members of the British art scene is found in his involvement with the St Ives artist. He met Roger Hilton in 1951, and the two artist were both working under the talented Barbra Hepworth.

What became unique within Frost’s work, is his specific interest collage as a dominant medium and subject matter in the construction of his works. Many of the works offered in this upcoming auction present Frost’s distinctive approach to collage and the use of multiple materials and colours. Often paper, fabrics, canvas scraps, sometimes cardboard and card were used to add depth and richness to his imagined shapely compositions. Frost’s involvement in the art scene of St Ives is demonstrated not only in his formal training and role as assistant to Hepworth but also in the exhibition and display of his work with many other prominent artists. There are many such examples of these exhibition, namely his involvement Penwith Society.