Artist
Victor Pasmore: A Pioneer of British Abstraction
Early Life and Education
Edwin John Victor Pasmore was born on December 3, 1908, in Chelsham, Surrey.
He received his early education at Summer Fields School in Oxford and Harrow in West London.
A turning point came with the death of his father in 1927, forcing him to take an administrative position at the London County Council.
He pursued painting part-time at the Central School of Art and became associated with the Euston Road School.
Figurative Beginnings and Wartime Experiences
Initially, Pasmore experimented with abstraction but later adopted a lyrical figurative style.
His early works often depicted views of the River Thames from Hammersmith, reminiscent of J.M.W. Turner and James McNeill Whistler.
A strong moral stance: During World War II, Pasmore was a conscientious objector.
After being refused recognition by his local tribunal, he was called up for military service in 1942. He refused orders and was court-martialed, receiving a 123-day prison sentence.
He successfully appealed this decision and gained unconditional exemption from military service.
The Shift to Abstraction
Pasmore’s breakthrough into abstract art occurred around 1947, profoundly influenced by Piet Mondrian and Paul Klee.
He was inspired by their writings on nature and the creation of dynamic harmony in art, believing it foreshadowed a future societal harmony.
Key Influences: He also drew inspiration from Ben Nicholson and other artists associated with Circle.
His abstract work often involved collage and construction of reliefs, pioneering the use of new materials and sometimes reaching large architectural scales.
Major Achievements and Architectural Integration
Revolutionary Impact: Herbert Read described Pasmore’s new style as “the most revolutionary event in post-war British art.”
In 1950, he was commissioned to create an abstract mural for a bus depot in Kingston upon Thames.
He contributed a mural to the Festival of Britain in 1951, showcasing several British constructivists.
The Apollo Pavilion: In 1955, he became Consulting Director of Architectural Design for Peterlee Development Corporation. The centerpiece of this project was the abstract public art structure, the Apollo Pavilion, which sparked considerable controversy but remains a significant landmark.
International Recognition and Later Life
Pasmore represented Britain at the 1961 Venice Biennale and participated in Documenta II in Kassel (1959).
He served as a trustee of the Tate Gallery, donating numerous works to its collection.
Educational Contributions: He was a leading figure in promoting abstract art and reforming fine art education.
From 1954 to 1961, he led the art course at King’s College, Durham (Newcastle upon Tyne), developing an influential general art and design course inspired by the Bauhaus.
He moved to Malta in 1966 and died in Gudja on January 23, 1998, at the age of 89.
Legacy and Historical Significance
Victor Pasmore’s work marked a turning point in British art, establishing abstraction as a vital force.
His integration of art and architecture challenged conventional boundaries and influenced subsequent generations of artists and designers.
The Victor Pasmore Gallery, inaugurated in Malta in 2014, houses a permanent exhibition of his works created during his time there.
