Date of Birth: 1922, † 21 September 1996
Place: Leamington Spa
Profession: Artist
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Obituary - Ernest Pascoe DFA (Lond), FRBS, RWA by Jerry Hicks MBE, DFA (Slade), RWA.
Ernest Pascoe, the distinguished artist and lecturer, died after a short illness on Saturday 21st September 1996. His artistic influence, especially in Bristol, has been immense.
After serving in the RAF during the warp he completed his art training at the Slade School of Art from 1945 to 1948. Ernest was an outstanding student, winning many prestigious prizes including the Wilson Steer Medal for Painting, the Henry Tonks Prize for Drawing and the Robert Ross Scholarship.
He benefited from eminent visitors such as Henry Moore, Stanley Spencer and Reg Butler, and particularly from his life long friendship with the Head of Sculpture, Professor Gerrard.
Ernest Pascoe was appointed, in 1948 to the staff of the West of England College of Art. In 1955 he became Head of Sculpture and Vice Principal. In 1969 the West of England College of Art became a Faculty of the newly formed Bristol Polytechnic. From 1972 until his retirement, he was Head of Fine Art. (now University of the West of England). Throughout his long career he maintained a life long commitment to teaching Art in Bristol to the highest National Standards within Higher Education. The wide breadth of his own talent was reflected in the encouragement and friendship he gave unstintingly to colleagues and students alike.
Ernest was equally dedicated to his own artistic endeavours and the City of Bristol has been enriched by many fine examples of his work. Many well known public and private commissions include carvings of 'The Three Kings' for the Tudor Chapel at Christmas Steps, Heraldic Coats of Arms for the Bristol Royal Infirmary and a remarkable Crucifixion, 'Christ in Glory' for St Augustine, Whitchurch. His work also includes an abundance of carved lettering and restoration work for Bristol churches and the City Museum and Art Gallery. He was a member of the 'Bristol Mummy' - Horemkenesi team and was responsible for the reconstruction of the head. Ernest Pascoe has for many decades continued a tradition of artistic excellence locally which has inspired many of his students.
For a considerable number of years Ernest Pascoe was instrumental in the management and organisation of the Royal West of England Academy where he was also a Trustee for some years. He exhibited regularly paintings, both Figurative and Abstract, also sculptures including a series of bronze portraits of successive Presidents, such as Lord Methuen, Donald Milner and Bernard Dunstan. Together with his wife, Jean Pascoe, he cultivated a great feeling of camaraderie amongst the members.
As a well established portrait artist Ernest was also commissioned by famous institutions including Madame Tussaud's to produce portraits of renowned International personalities such as President Nixon, Robert Kennedy, King Olaf, Johahn Cruyff, David Frost, Tony Jacklin and many others.
Ernest will be sadly missed by his devoted wife, four daughters and grandchildren to whom he has been a constant inspiration. He will be remembered by friends, colleagues and students with respect and affection. Ernest Pascoe dedicated his entire life to Art and this was central to his philosophy and for his continuing spirit of the Renaissance he transmitted to his students and daughters who work as artists and teachers. Ernest had a great love of life, a wonderful sense of humour, a profound belief and unfaltering optimism.
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