John Hoyland RA (English, 1934-2011)

John Hoyland was one of the most innovative and energetic abstract painters of the postwar period. His art and attitudes developed over the course of more than a half-century. Colour, emotion, both excess and restraint, and the passionate communication of feeling formed John Hoyland's distinct artistic personality.   

In 1960, he graduated from the Royal Academy Schools, and in 1960 and 1961, he was a part of the important Situation Group exhibitions. In 1964, he was chosen as one of Bryan Robertson's ‘New Generation’ artists at the Whitechapel Gallery, he then spent time in New York making connections with many of the Abstract Expressionists.

Hoyland held his first solo shows at the Whitechapel Gallery in 1967 and in 1969 he represented Great Britain at the Sao Paulo Biennale. The artist had major retrospective exhibitions held at the Serpentine Gallery, Tate St. Ives and The Royal Academy. Hoyland was elected Royal Academician in 1991 and taught painting at the RA Schools from 1999.