Fred Yates facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fred Yates
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| Born |
Frederick Joseph Yates
25 July 1922 Urmston, Lancashire, England
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| Died | 7 July 2008 (aged 85) |
| Nationality | English |
| Known for | Painting |
Frederick Joseph Yates (born July 25, 1922 – died July 7, 2008) was an English artist. He was inspired by the Manchester painter L.S. Lowry. Yates wanted to paint about the lives of everyday people. He said he felt closest to "the man in the street." He wanted to make friends with them and please them with his art.
Even though he was a bit shy, his paintings showed people doing their daily activities. He used bright, impressionist colors and bold brush strokes. His art is in many private and public collections. These include Brighton and Hove Art Gallery and the University of Warwick.
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About Fred Yates
Fred Yates was born in Urmston, Lancashire, England in 1922. He first worked as an insurance clerk. But his career changed because of the Second World War. During the war, he served with the Grenadier Guards. His twin brother went missing in action in September 1944. This happened during a battle called Arnhem.
Becoming an Artist
Losing his brother had a big impact on Yates. It made him prefer to be alone for much of his life. But it also made him decide to quit his insurance job. He wanted to become an artist, even though his family didn't agree. He used a grant for servicemen to study at Bournemouth Teacher Training College. There, he learned drawing, printmaking, and painting. He even won a scholarship to go to Rome.
He then taught in Devon and on the South Coast for 20 years. Teaching gave him some stability, but he really disliked it. His shyness made it hard to control his students. The only way he could manage was by doing painting demonstrations. He would get lost in his work and try not to notice the students. Still, he kept painting his own art. In 1954, he came in second place to L.S. Lowry in a painting contest. This competition was organized by the Football Association. His painting of Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club is now in the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery.
Life in Cornwall
In 1968, Yates finally decided to stop teaching. He became a full-time painter. He moved to Cornwall, where he could focus on his art. He earned extra money by gardening for his neighbors. Much of his early work was painted outdoors on rough boards. He often used household paints.
His friendly style helped him find early art collectors. In 1976, he had his first solo art show. It was at the Reynolds Gallery in Plymouth. That same year, he was a finalist for the John Moore's Prize. During the 1970s and 80s, more people started to appreciate Yates's work. In 1992, he had his first London exhibition with Thompson's Gallery.
Moving to France
Yates liked to be alone and moved houses often. In the early 1990s, he moved to France. He lived in several villages, including Rancon and Sablet. During this time, Yates created some of his most bold paintings. He often used a lot of paint, sometimes applying it with sticks or his hands.
In his last years, he tried many times to move back to England. He eventually found a small house in Frome, Somerset. While traveling to complete the purchase, he fell and had a heart attack. He passed away in University College Hospital. He is buried in Marazion, Cornwall.
His Art Shows
During his life, Fred Yates's main art representative was John Martin Gallery in London. This gallery held many shows of Yates's art. These included 'Twelve Months in Provence' (2003) and 'On Top of the World' (2004). Another show was 'Muck and Brass' (2008). In 2011, Penlee House Art Gallery in Penzance held an exhibition. It showed his work alongside Bryan Pearce and Joan Gilchrist. The show was called 'Different Ways of Seeing'.
His Legacy
Yates died from a heart attack in July 2008. He was returning to England at the time. Since he didn't have a family or a will, the government helped manage his belongings. A group called the Fred Yates Society was started. Their goal is to help keep his art famous and preserved. Yates is buried in Marazion graveyard. From there, you can see St Michael's Mount, a place he painted many times.
