William Bowyer

(1926-2015)

William Bowyer was born in Leek, Staffordshire and during the Second World War was conscripted to work in the coal mines. In the post-war period he went to the Royal College of Art and was taught by Carel Weight and Ruskin Spear, with whom he would forge great friendships.

To earn a living he became an art teacher in 1951 and at Gravesend he taught Sir Peter Blake, with whom he would also become lifelong friends.

William Bowyer became an RA (Royal Academician) in 1981 and is famous for his portrayal of the Suffolk landscape, images around his West London home of Chiswick and sparkling river scenes as well as an incredible array of portraits.