Kenneth Lawson (artist)

Kenneth Lawson (22 August 1920 - 22 May 2008) was an English artist and set designer.[1][2][3]

Lawson was born in South Norwood[citation needed] on 22 August 1920. He began painting in the 1930s in Dulwich, mentored by James Fitton RA, and in 1942 exhibited with The London Group.[2][3] His works are held in collections including The Whitworth, Gallery Oldham and Salford Museum and Art Gallery.[4][5]

In 1945, during World War II, Lawson survived a hit on his home by a V-1 flying bomb.[2]

When Graham Sutherland started work on the large (4.25 metres (13.9 ft) × 3.27 metres (10.7 ft)) work The Origins of the Land, commissioned for the Festival of Britain and now in Tate Britain, he sought advice from Lawson who had experience of large-scale works;[3] when it was vandalised before display, Lawson was commissioned to repair it.[6] Lawson later worked with Sutherland on studies for the large tapestry Christ in Glory in the Tetramorph for Coventry Cathedral.[2]

Lawson moved to Manchester in 1956 to work as a designer for the BBC; he worked on over 1,500 shows including designing the first set for Top of the Pops in 1964.[2] He retired from the BBC in 1980, and in 1982-1985 designed sets for seven operas by South Yorkshire Opera at The Crucible in Sheffield.[3][7]

In retirement he returned to painting, inspired by visits to the Algarve, Madeira and the Amalfi coast, and latterly he spend winters in Menton, France.[7]

Lawson died on 22 May 2008 at his home in Didsbury, Greater Manchester, after suffering from cancer.[2] He was survived by his long-term partner Jean Maudsley.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Kenneth Lawson: set designer". www.bafta.org. BAFTA. 11 May 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Ottewell, David (18 April 2010). "Obituary: Kenneth Lawson". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Kenneth Lawson (1920-2008)". paintingsbykennethlawson.co.uk. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Lawson, Kenneth, 1920–2008". artuk.org. Art UK. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Kenneth Lawson: artist and set designer". The Times. 26 June 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  6. ^ "'The Origins of the Land', Graham Sutherland OM, 1950–1". Tate. Retrieved 29 December 2021. a memorandum of 4 April 1951 records the decision that a Mr Lawson should back-patch it and retouch the damage
  7. ^ a b Bailey, Fiona (24 September 2011). "Kenneth Lawson (1920 - 2008)". thewhitegallery. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
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