Gillian Ayres

Gillian Ayres RA OBE was a prominent British abstract artist known for her vibrant paintings and prints, which are defined by bold colours and expressive, gestural forms. Ayres studied at Camberwell School of Art (1946–50), where she developed an interest in abstract expressionism, drawing inspiration from artists such as Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning. Her early work in the 1950s was rooted in lyrical abstraction, incorporating techniques influenced by drip and stain painting. As her career progressed, her style adopted a more structured approach to colour and form, with thick layers of pigment that enhanced the tactile dimension of her canvases. In addition to her celebrated work as a painter, Ayres was an accomplished printmaker. She turned to printmaking in the 1970s, working with woodcuts, linocuts, and screen printing. Like her paintings, her prints are characterised by a bold use of colour and abstract designs. Ayres also had a significant role in education, holding teaching positions at institutions such as Corsham (1959–65) and St Martin’s School of Art (1966–78). In 1978, she became the first woman to head a fine art department in a British art school when she was appointed head of painting at Winchester School of Art. Ayres was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2011 and continued to paint until her death in 2018.