Christopher Pemberton

Christopher Pemberton​

 

1923 Born in London                                                                                             

1946-8 Studied Modern History at Oxford University

1948-9 Student at Camberwell   

1950s Taught at Bryanston and Shrewsbury Schools.

1959-84 Taught at Camberwell school of Art (Painting and Foundation Dept)          

1982-4 Head of Foundation (Camberwell)     

1983-2007 Lived in Bardwell, Suffolk

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Christopher Pemberton (1923 – 2010) was a painter and teacher, admired particularly for his draftsmanship and portraits.

 

A student at Camberwell himself (1948-9) and taught by William Coldstream and Claude Rogers of the Euston Road group, he later joined the staff at Camberwell and worked there from 1960-85 when it had a distinctive and highly–regarded approach to figuration to which he contributed. He was Head of Foundation by the time he retired (1985). He had also taught in the painting department. His way of teaching and his personality were very much respected and loved and he formed many friendships with colleagues and students with whom he kept in touch with for years.

 

While he did exhibit during this time (eg: Hayward Annual drawing 1982), it was not until he retired and moved to Suffolk that he concentrated on painting full-time and exhibiting more widely.

 

He painted portraits, still-life and landscapes and showed at Cadogan Contemporary (1989, 1992) and Chappel Galleries (2001), as well as other galleries in East Anglia. He always drew prolifically – his colleagues especially valued the quality and originality of his drawing.

 

He made a translation of Joaqim Gasquet's ‘Cezanne, A Memoir With Conversations’  (Thames & Hudson 1991) and also made contributions to: ‘Camberwell School of Arts & Crafts: its students & teachers, 1943-1960’  (Geoff Hassell,  Antique Collectors Club 1995) and ‘The Euston Road School: A Study in Objective Painting ‘ (Bruce Laughton,  Scolar 1986).

 

Obituaries:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2011/feb/06/christopher-pemberton-obituary

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/christopher-pemberton-artist-

Also: The Times (5.2.2011)

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For information about exhibitions, see Exhibitions.