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William Crozier (Irish artist) facts for kids

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William Crozier (5 May 1930 – 12 July 2011) was an Irish-Scots artist. He was known for his paintings of still life and landscapes. He lived in Hampshire, England, and West Cork, Ireland. Crozier was a member of Aosdána, a special group for Irish artists.

Life and Works

Early Life and Art

William Crozier was born in Glasgow, Scotland. His parents were Irish. He studied art at the Glasgow School of Art from 1949 to 1953. After finishing school, he spent time in Paris and Dublin. He then settled in London.

In the 1950s, Crozier became well-known. His early art shows at galleries like the ICA and Arthur Tooth were very successful. He created unique paintings and art pieces.

Artistic Style and Influences

Crozier was deeply influenced by ideas after World War II. He connected his art to European art styles of the 1950s and 1960s. He was part of a group of artists and writers in London. He knew famous artists like Robert Colquhoun, Robert MacBryde, John Minton, and William Scott.

In 1963, Crozier spent time in southern Spain. This trip was very important for his art. When he returned, he started painting a series of "skeletal" artworks. These paintings were influenced by his visit to places like Auschwitz and Belsen in 1969. His style was similar to the "New Expressionist" German painters of the 1980s.

Teaching and Later Art

During the 1960s and 1970s, Crozier lived in London. He showed his art in many cities across Europe. Like many artists of his time, he also taught art. He taught at Bath Academy of Art and the Central School of Art and Design. He also taught at the Studio School in New York. Finally, he taught at Winchester School of Art. There, he helped create a strong painting program based on European traditions.

From the 1980s, Crozier stopped teaching. This gave him more freedom in his art. He found new inspiration from his studios in West Cork, Ireland, and Hampshire, England. His abstract landscapes and still life paintings used rich, bright colors. These colors helped show strong feelings. He always wanted to find new ways to create art that showed real things.

Recognition and Exhibitions

William Crozier represented the UK and Ireland in other countries. He won the Premio Lissone in Milan in 1958. In 1994, he received the Oireachtas Gold medal for Painting in Dublin.

In 1991, the Crawford Art Gallery Cork and the Royal Hibernian Academy held a special show of his work. He became a member of Aosdana in 1992. He was also made an honorary member of the Royal Hibernian Academy.

In 2005, Crozier celebrated his 75th birthday. He had a big exhibition in Cork. This was part of the European Capital of Culture celebration. The show included his drawings. It showed that he was also a great artist in black and white. For his 80th birthday, he had a large show at Flowers Galleries. Another show of his early paintings in London helped people appreciate his older work. The Tate Gallery and the National Gallery of Ireland bought some of his art.

William Crozier passed away peacefully at home on July 12, 2011. He was 81 years old.

Films About William Crozier

Several films have been made about Crozier and his art:

  • Gordon Smith made 'William Crozier' for Scottish TV in 1970.
  • Cian O hEigertaigh directed 'The Truth About a Painter' for RTÉ in 1993.
  • Meridian Film UK made two films in 1996: Charlston and Meon Shore. These were part of the 'Summer Painting' series.
  • They also made ‘The Frame: Jane Bown photographs William Crozier’ in 2000.
  • Crozier shared his thoughts on Dalí's painting "Christ of Saint John of the Cross". This was for a BBC show called The Private Life of a Masterpiece in 2005.

Where to See His Art

You can find William Crozier's artwork in many public and private collections. These are in the British Isles and other countries. His art is in the National Galleries of Ireland, Canada, Poland, and Australia. It is also in the Tate Gallery in Britain. Many companies in the UK and Ireland, like BNP Paribas and British Petroleum Plc, also own his work.

His art is shown in these public collections:

Work in Collections

  • Dublin City University:
    • Autumn Fields
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