Presentation of the David Gommon Monograph

David Gommon-artist 1913-1987

Gommon spent his whole working life in Northamptonshire. At the end of the war, he joined the staff of Northampton Grammar School as the senior Art Master. He taught there until he retired in 1971. Born into a working-class family in London’s Battersea, he first studied art at the local Polytechnic when he was sixteen. Three years later, he was taken up by Lucy Carrington Wertheim-the pioneering London-based gallerist renowned for showing work by young artists.

A new book published this October offers a richly illustrated view of his creative life. Aided by insights from the artist’s own evocative writings, Philip Vann’s text examines the development of Gommon’s visionary landscape art-rooted latterly in the surroundings of the Northamptonshire village of Hardingstone where he and his wife Jean lived. His art-which is notable for its at once subtle and audacious colourism-is also enriched by his love and appreciation of poetry including works by John Clare, Yeats and T. S. Eliot.

The book also explores his discerning portraits of creative people he knew. Northampton Museum and Art Gallery hold two of these, both of Northamptonians. The portrait of Ray Gosling, writer and broadcaster, was made when Ray was in his 20’s, a teddy boy. The portrait of Jon Adams, alludes to his career in the theatre in ‘Tomfoolery’ and the ‘Rocky Horror Show’. Jon was a talented artist.

David’s daughter Kate and son Peter will be presenting a copy of the book David Gommon to Mr Bernard, headmaster of Northampton School for Boys on Friday 28th November.

People who would like to purchase a copy of the David Gommon Monograph should visit:- https://sansomandcompany.co.uk/product/david-gommon/