Patrick Procktor, R.A. 1936-2003
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“Procktor’s most enviable gift is, perhaps, the ability to tell the truth about small things - the fall of light, the angle of a head or hand. They give the best pictures the immediate quality of diary entries.’’ - Critic Peter Campbell, Patrick Procktor, The Listener, 18 May 1972
Patrick Procktor RA graduated from the Slade School of Art in London in 1962. Alongside his friend and contemporary, David Hockney, he was an integral part of the artists, designers and musicians who defined London’s cultural scene in the 1960s and 70s. In 1964, he was included in Bryan Robertson's groundbreaking Whitechapel gallery exhibition, The New Generation, which featured the work of twelve groundbreaking artists including Hockney, Patrick Caulfield, John Hoyland and Bridget Riley.
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Works
Patrick Procktor, R.A. 1936-2003
London BridgeEtching and aquatint, artist proof, aside from the edition of 50
Unframed: 38.5 x 58 cm; 15¼ x 22¾ in.
Framed H. 58 cm x W. 62.5 cmSigned in pencil lower right 'P. Procktor' and inscribed AP lower leftWB2100Copyright The Artist£ 3,250.00Further images
'The view is from the roof of Fishmongers Hall where the artist 'used the seven foot balustrade to rest the watercolour sketch.... To add height to his own 6 ft...'The view is from the roof of Fishmongers Hall where the artist 'used the seven foot balustrade to rest the watercolour sketch.... To add height to his own 6 ft 4 ins he mounted a table where he remained standing from 8:30 in the morning until a late lunch. In those five hours he made three watercolours. They are the preliminaries for a large panorama he has been commissioned to paint by John Mowlem, the contractors who built the bridge.' (Sunday Telegraph, 18 March 1973)
The bridge was opened by H.R.H Queen Elizabeth II in 1973; the original bridge built in the 1830s was bought by the Americans and re-constructed at Lake Havazu City, Arizona in 1971. Under the distinctive red and white awning can be seen the figure of the Late Queen Elizabeth II. It is a scene that is brought to life in contemporary footage of the opening, held by British Pathé:
https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/128582/
Another from the edition is held in the Tate Collection.
Exhibitions
London, The Redfern Gallery, Patrick Procktor: New Paintings, Watercolours and Etchings, 1 - 24 October 1974, no. 71;
Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery, Patrick Procktor, Prints 1959 - 1985, 8 June - 21 July 1985, no.39, with tour to The Hob Warehouse (Guinness Museum), Dublin, The DLI Museum and Arts Centre, Durham, Southampton Art Gallery and The Redfern Gallery
Literature
The Sunday Telegraph, 18 March 1973
Patrick Procktor, Prints 1959 - 1985, (exh. cat.), published by The Redfern Gallery and Editions Alecto Limited, 1985, p.78 (illustrated)
