afla
For all enquiries (general and commercial): 07890 030996
Find us on
afla

EARLY WORK (1950's)

Back to Gallery


Untitled 1950s etching 28x45cm

"Hyde Park" 1957 etching 30x46cm

"Street scene" 1956 etching 45x57cm

Ian attended Leeds College of Art until 1953, and then the Royal College of Art in London from 1956-1958.

He visited Concarneau in Brittany in July 1953, drawing and possibly travelling with his friend Keith Armour. Whilst at the RCA Ian won a scholarship to travel in Europe and we know he visited France and Italy. After Italy in 1959, Ian’s art became more abstract, as illustrated by the Italian Landscape print on the main Gallery page.

The images on this page are from that period but little is known about them. The etchings are of London scenes and the harbour scene is based on various sketches from the Aberdeen coast, at Banff, Macduff and Findochty.

The self-portraits were probably painted whilst at Leeds College of Art and during the following two years whilst in National Service. We have a sketch book full of barrack scenes and the picture on the left has an army issue tie hanging on the mirror. The self-portraits are sad and pensive - we know that Ian considered the two years of National Service as wasted time. However, we also know that as soon as Ian attended the RCA he grew a beard, which helps to date the portraits!


Self portrait 1954-55 oil

Self portrait 1954-55 oil

"Planes" 1957 oil 45x58cm

afla