A
JOHN STOPS RWA
Date of Birth: 24 March 1925
Place: Radlet, Herts.
Profession: Artist
click on the image to view the larger version
Click to view the larger image... Click to view larger image...
1
John Stops trained as a painter at Northampton School of Art between 1947 and 1951. He received his Art Teachers Diploma from Leeds University. He taught at several institutions including Bedminster Down School where he was Head of Art from 1958 to 1969, the College of St Mathias, Fishponds, where he was Head of Graphics and Painting from 1973 to 1979.
1
From 1979 to 1981 he worked as a Senior Lecturer for the Faculty of Education at Bristol Polytechnic on the Adult Art Studies Course at Queens Road. From 1971 onwards he has exhibited at all the RWA annual shows. He ran his own gallery near St Davids from 1967 to 1989 where he exhibited his own work. In 1981 and 2001 he was one of a group of seven RWA members to exhibit at the RWA and from 1984 to 2000 he has been included in numerous group show at Bristol's Guild Gallery, where he is the gallery organiser. His work was included in the 2000 Print Exhibition at the RWA and since 1991 he has shown annually with the Bath Society of Artists.
1
Commenting on what has influenced his work he includes….
1
'I was trained in the figurative disciplines which I found absorbing and rewarding; anatomy, life drawing, figure composition and then history of art and architecture. I have no socio-philosophical cross to bear and no marginal analysis to expound and express. I wish to paint expertly and convincingly as my training and continuing involvement will allow the subjects that appeal to me (landscapes, seascapes, townscapes and occasionally people) peculiarly lit, strangely juxtaposed and emotionally charged. I also produce linocuts, and own an 1861 Action Press. Different disciplines come into play here and sometimes the results feed back into painting. Simplified composition and colour relationships for example.'
Always an active contributor to both the RWA and this website, John Stops sadly died after a long illness shortly before the relaunch of the RWA in September 2002.
 
Click here to return to the members' list