Royal Academy of Arts
Profile
The Royal Academy of Arts is an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment, and appreciation of the visual arts through exhibitions, education, and debate. The Royal Academicians are all practicing painters, draughtsmen, engravers, printmakers, sculptors, and architects and are elected by their peers. Coastal Gallery has selected designs by Sir Terry Frost RA, Michael Craig-Martin CBE RA, Sandra Blow RA and Grayson Perry CBE RA.
Sandra Blow
Sandra Blow was born in London in 1925 and entered St Martins School of Art in 1940. Shortly after the Second World War she studied at the Royal Academy Schools, and in 1947 lived in Italy for a year, where she met Alberto Burri, who was a significant influence on her work for the rest of her career. Blow was at the forefront of the Abstract Art Movement in Britain during the 1950’s. She won the Guggenheim International Award in 1960 and was awarded the second prize at the third John Moores Exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery in 1961.
Terry Frost
Terry Frost was widely recognised as one of the leading British abstract artists of his generation. Born in Leamington Spa in 1915 Terry Frost discovered his talent for painting as a prisoner of war in the Second World War. After returning to England Frost attended Camberwell School of Art. He went on to teach at Bath Academy of Art, Leeds University, and Newcastle University before being appointed Professor of Painting at the University of Reading. Terry Frost’s career as an artist spanned six decades and his work is held in museums and galleries worldwide.
Michael Craig-Martin
Michael Craig-Martin was born in Dublin in 1941 and educated in the USA, where he studies at Yale University. He returned to Europe in the mid-1960’s and was a key figure in the first generation of British Conceptual artists. As a tutor at Goldsmiths College, London, from 1974 to 1988 and 1994 to 2000, he had a significant influence on two generations of British artists. His work is held throughout the world and is included in numerous museum collections including Tate, London; the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra; and the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
