Tom Cross ( English, 1931-2009)

Born in Manchester, Tom Cross trained at the Slade School of Art, University of London and after gaining several scholarships spent two years travelling and painting in Italy and France. Upon his return to the UK, Cross worked for the Arts Council in Wales and later taught painting as Senior Lecturer in Fine Art at Reading University. In 1976 Tom Cross moved to Cornwall as principal of the Falmouth School of Art and continued his practice. In 1978 he was elected a member of The London Group. Alongside painting, Tom Cross also published books – Painting the Warmth of the Sun, The Shining Sands and Catching the Wave – which have become essential works on the history of the Newlyn and St Ives Schools.