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Born in 1955, Gerard has not followed a conventional artist
career although it was obvious from an early age, as a young
schoolboy in Norwich, that he had a talent for drawing. By
the sixth form it was clear that his future would be art based. |
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After graduating from Art College
he had a decision to make; to start life as a painter or as
a commercial artist. He chose the commercial route and
spent some 25 years in London advertising agencies, culminating
in the role of Creative Director at one of the largest, Leo
Burnett. In 2001 under his Chairmanship the agency was
the most creatively awarded advertising office in the world.
Up until then Gerard had been painting as a serious hobby
with work regularly accepted at the mall Galleries and the
Royal Watercolour Society. However, his growing determination
to paint full time was finally realised in 2002. He left
advertising and London to join his family in North Norfolk
where he built a studio.
Years of experimentation and exploration followed until 2005
he finally held his first solo show in a local gallery in
Norwich. The response was a sell-out. The following year
he held his first London solo exhibition in Cork Street, a
show
which travelled to York Minster. Since then he has had
six more one man shows including "Mediaeval", a
celebration of church architecture in East Anglia, and "Marshscape",
a series of large studies exploring the North Norolk coast.
In March 2009 he held an exhibition at Bonhams, New Bond
Street, Entitled "Twelve Churches", a collaboration
with the Churches Conservation Trust to celebrate their 40th
Anniversary.
In 2010 Gerard Stamp's life came full circle. Returning
once more to Norwich he was asked to stage the inaugural exhibition
celebrating the Royal opening of Norwich Cathedral Hostry,
a new Exhibition and Visitor Centre designed by Sir Michael
Hopkins and one of the largest Cathedral developments since
the rebuilding of Coventry. Gerard had the honour of
presenting Her Majesty the Queen with a painting to celebrate
the occasion.
There are two important influences on Gerard's work. One
is a lifelong love of architecture, particularly mediaeval
architecture, and the other is a deep affinity with the work
of the Norwich School of Artists, above all John Sell Cotman
whom he has studied so closely that he considers him his posthumous
tutor.
A passion for draftsmanship and drawing underpins all
his work. He is taciturn about his paintings, preferring
the images to speak for themselves and will instead quote
John Constable "Painting is but another word for feeling".
To see examples of Gerard Stamp artwork, please
visit his website
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