ADRIAN HEATH (BRITISH, 1920-1992)
Untitled
dated 'May 77' (verso)
oil on canvas
153 x 126.3 cm. (60 1/2 x 49 3/4 in.)

Born in Burma in 1920, Heath spent his formative years studying in the U.K. and eventually went onto study under and among some of the most prominent British artists. In 1938 he attended Newlyn School of Art in Cornwall, under Stanhope Forbes, and the following year had enrolled in Slade Art School.

However, when during the war, Heath was captured as a Prisoner of War in German camp Stalag 383, he became acquainted with fellow artist Terry Frost. It was not only Frost who Heath nurtured relations with, he became involved with many other artist who later became defined as the St Ives School. Heath spent much time in Cornwall, visiting in both 1949 and 1951. There he met with Ben Nicholson, where the two shared a mutual interest in abstract art.

Other artist Heath shared explorations and artistic pursuits with were those such as William Scott, who also resided and worked in St Ives. The collaboration between Heath, William Scott and other artist’s such as Moore, Caulfield and Hoyland and many others was chronicled in the 1973 series of prints titled The Rothko Memorial Portfolio

However, Adrian Heath’s oeuvre is characterized by his often large-scale, transient canvases, as exemplified in the present work. His style reflects a true fusion of stylistic and technical elements, ranging from Constructivist and abstract tendencies, using bold colours and geometric shapes, to later works where semi-figurative elements became more prominent. This 1977 piece showcases Heath’s mastery of colour and texture, particularly through the use of a deep red palette.

Heath’s contribution to British Abstraction is demonstrated through both the informal exhibitions help in his Fitzrovia studio, featuring works by Scott, Hilton and Frost, to his publication of ‘Abstract Painting: Its Origin and Meaning’ in 1953.