Peter Brown (artist)
Encyclopedia
Charles Fredrick Peter Brown (1921-2005) was a New Zealand
born artist of the school of traditional realism.
Brown served in the RAF throughout World War II
and the drawing and sketching he did while a German prisoner of war from 1943 helped him decide to pursue art seriously as a career. After escaping from the prison camp, and on returning to New Zealand, the Rehabilitation Department (an organisation set up to assist returned servicemen back into the workforce) assisted Brown to study commercial art and he began his training at the Elam Art School
of the University of Auckland
in 1946.
In 1948, Brown was asked to teach by Archie Fisher
, then Head of the Elam Art School, so he became a part-time lecturer from 1948-1950, before he had even completed his studies. In 1951 he completed his studies, and he continued as a full-time lecturer at Elam from 1952-1959, when he left to undertake independent study and painting. During his time at Elam, he was an active participant in Elam's Rutland Group where he was known for his portrait painting.
He was invited to attend the Slade School of Art in London
in 1960.
After returning to New Zealand, he settled in Napier
and taught at the Hawkes Bay Art School. He was awarded the Kelliher Prize for Landscape Painting in 1974. He went on to move to Gisborne
and was active in the Gisborne art community until shortly before his death in October 2005.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
born artist of the school of traditional realism.
Brown served in the RAF throughout World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the drawing and sketching he did while a German prisoner of war from 1943 helped him decide to pursue art seriously as a career. After escaping from the prison camp, and on returning to New Zealand, the Rehabilitation Department (an organisation set up to assist returned servicemen back into the workforce) assisted Brown to study commercial art and he began his training at the Elam Art School
Elam School of Fine Arts
The Elam School of Fine Arts, founded in 1890 by John Edward Elam is a part of Auckland University. Students study degrees in fine art with an emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach.-History:...
of the University of Auckland
University of Auckland
The University of Auckland is a university located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest university in the country and the highest ranked in the 2011 QS World University Rankings, having been ranked worldwide...
in 1946.
In 1948, Brown was asked to teach by Archie Fisher
Archie Fisher
Archie Fisher MBE is a Scottish folk singer and song writer.-The early years:Archie Fisher was born in Glasgow on 23 October 1939 into a large singing family. His sister Cilla Fisher is also a professional singer, as was his late sister Ray. In 1960 he moved to Edinburgh and appeared regularly at...
, then Head of the Elam Art School, so he became a part-time lecturer from 1948-1950, before he had even completed his studies. In 1951 he completed his studies, and he continued as a full-time lecturer at Elam from 1952-1959, when he left to undertake independent study and painting. During his time at Elam, he was an active participant in Elam's Rutland Group where he was known for his portrait painting.
He was invited to attend the Slade School of Art in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1960.
After returning to New Zealand, he settled in Napier
Napier, New Zealand
Napier is a New Zealand city with a seaport, located in Hawke's Bay on the eastern coast of the North Island. The population of Napier is about About 18 kilometres south of Napier is the inland city of Hastings. These two neighboring cities are often called "The Twin Cities" or "The Bay Cities"...
and taught at the Hawkes Bay Art School. He was awarded the Kelliher Prize for Landscape Painting in 1974. He went on to move to Gisborne
Gisborne, New Zealand
-Economy:The harbour was host to many ships in the past and had developed as a river port to provide a more secure location for shipping compared with the open roadstead of Poverty Bay which can be exposed to southerly swells. A meat works was sited beside the harbour and meat and wool was shipped...
and was active in the Gisborne art community until shortly before his death in October 2005.
Holdings
Peter Brown's artworks are held in the collections of the:- Royal Scottish Academy
- Scottish National Portrait Gallery
- Royal Society of Portrait Artists
- Rutland Group (Auckland)
- New Group (Auckland)
- American Watercolor Society
- Chelsea Art Society
- Artists of Chelsea
- Army Art Society