Richard Slater RI
 | | Bathers at Croyde | | |
|  | | Coastal Farm | | |
|  | | Watching the Surfers | | |
|  | | Parkland | | |
|  | | Bird Bath | | |
|  | | Entrance To The Harbour I | | |
|  | | St Mark's Square - Venice | | |
|  | | Jungle Lion | | |
|  | | Blue Mist in the Valley | | |
|  | | Morning Flight | | |
|  | | Study of a Startled Horse |  SOLD |
|  | | The Proffered Pear | | |
|  | | Garden Walk | | |
|  | | The Red Room | | |
|  | | I Want This One | | |
|  | | Mevagissey Quays | | |
|  | | Cats and Birdcages | | |
|  | | Meeting by the Trellis | | |
|  | | Mevagissey Quayside | | |
|  | | Cornish Beach | | |
|  | | Figures Fruit & Flowers | | |
|  | | The Pathway | | |
|  | | Green Pines | | |
|  | | Moving Horse - Study | | |
|  | | Horse, Butterfly & Groom | | |
|  | | Moonlit Village | | |
|  | | The Herdsman | | |
|  | | Sunbathers & Windbreaks | | |
|  | | Beach Scene | | |
|  | | Tree Tunnel | | |
|  | | Sunlit Beach | | |
|  | | Village Landscape | | SOLD |
|  | | Church Lane | | |
|  | | The Green Garden | | |
|  | | Moorland | | |
|  | | Evening Glow | | SOLD |
|  | | Downland Moonlight | | |
|  | | Moorland Village | | |
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His talent, recognised by Hornsey College of Art was rewarded with a place in 1943 - straight from school, after a break for National Service he returned. During the years 1950/54 he gained National Diplomas in Design for Illustration, Painting and Lithography at the same time studying for his Art Teachers Diploma.
In 1951 he began teaching in London schools then moved to Shoreditch Comprehensive School where he later becoming Head of the Art Department in 1957. In 1960 he was invited to teach at St Mark and St John, Chelsea - where he eventually became Head of Department and Principal Lecturer, in 1973 staying with the College - he moved to Plymouth. From 1970 - 80 he acted as an Art Examiner for the Bachelor of Education Degree with London and Exeter Universities.
Richards work has been exhibited in some very illustrious places from the word go, included are The World Touring Exhibition of the Arts Council of Great Britain in 1953, exhibiting with The Royal Academy, various other London Galleries including St. George’s and the Whibley in Cork Street - at the latter he was given his first Solo Exhibition. From 1980 his work was accepted for inclusion in the annual exhibitions of The Mall Galleries, London - the home of The Royal Society of Painters in Water Colour, in 1999 Richard was elected to full membership.
His Commissions have been numerous; these include his design for a Ceramic Mural for London Primary School, illustrations for Cambridge University Press and Lithographs for Consolidated Fine Art - New York.
In 1980 he retired from teaching to concentrate on painting. His new career began with another Solo Exhibition at Plymouth Arts Centre, from this starting point he began to exhibit widely in southern England. During this period he became a regular exhibitor with the Royal Society of Marine Artists at The Mall Galleries. In 2004 Richard was elected to full membership of St. Ives Society of Artists - during this year he also exhibited in the Singer /Friedlander Watercolour Exhibition. His awards have been numerous the last one being The Kingsmead / Rowland Hilder Award at the Royal Institute Annual Exhibition in 2003.
Richard Slater is listed in ‘Who’s Who in Art’ and ‘The Dictionary of British Art since 1945’
He is both a figurative and landscape painter and in this Exhibition he is showing both sides of his nature. Here we see his evocative landscapes and harbour scenes of the south west. The countryside paintings often depict traditional granite farm buildings, the fields in summer splendour hedged with trees which border the narrow lanes. The harbour scenes often have a cubist element these give them an edge over those usually depicted by others, the eye travels with interest over the work to see the movement he has created within it, whether it be man or boats.
The figurative paintings - at times reminiscent of Samuel Palmer - capture still moments which could lie in the past, present or future, they posess dreamlike qualities which ask the viewer to create their own stories, there being something in the work that encourages engagement. They often depict lovers meeting in well appointed gardens where exotic flowers and trees abound - all seemingly alive - watching and eavesdropping upon them. The sun sits high in the sky and paths lead the eye in and out of the lush growth, owls, horses and butterflies often find a place within his work as do the shepherd with his flock. Nightime lovers meet by moonlight within curious grounds not of this world. All beg the question - are we in another world?
Richard Slater is a fascinating artist who deserves all the many accolades he has garnered over his lifetime.
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