Victor Pasmore
Pasmore is a unique figure in 20th century British art. A talented figurative painter, he later became a pioneer in the theory and practice of abstract art. His collages, constructions and paintings were some of the most revolutionary work produced in Britain during the 1940s and 50s. His prints have seen a sustained growth in popularity since his death in 1998.
Pasmore followed an unconventional route into the art world. Working as a clerk at the London County Council, he attended evening classes at the Central School of Art. After an initial foray into abstract painting during the mid-1930s, he resolved to 'start again', co-founding the Euston Road School and working in an objective, realist manner. Profound changes of direction such as this would prove to be a hallmark of his career.
He returned to abstraction in 1947 under the influence of Ben Nicholson, and by the mid 50s was producing crisp, constructivist works defined by a rigorous geometry. In addition to paintings he also created three-dimensional wall reliefs in wood and perspex. In 1955 he was appointed Consulting Director of Architectural Design of the Peterlee development corporation, a venture that allowed him to fuse the aesthetics of art and architecture in the design of a new post-War town. This culminated in the notorious Apollo Pavilion, an abstract concrete structure erected as the centrepiece of a housing development in 1969.
He relocated to Malta in 1966 and was captivated by the brilliant, sundrenched landscapes of his new home. By this time the strict geometry of his work had softened, with wandering lines, diffuse edges and bright colour becoming defining elements of his compositions. He soon began an extensive enquiry into the production of prints at the 2RC print studio in Rome. Printmaking would go on to became an important facet of his work, reflecting and informing the stylistic developments that would define the rest of his career.
He went on to collaborate with six different print studios, each of which encouraged Pasmore to work in a unique style specific to them. He would draw upon each studio's particular skills and develop images in conjunction with their favoured technique, whether that was etching, aquatint, screenprinting or lithography. His ceaseless appetite for experimentation led him to embrace new variations and unexpected outcomes.
Pasmore's work was decades ahead of its time and remains brilliantly radical today. His prints are highly-sought after and make a fabulous addition to any collection.
If you would like more information on investing in Pasmore, why not take a look at some of our most recent articles featuring his prints.
