Sadly Sandra Blow RA died on 22nd August 06
at the age of 80.
She was an inspiration in both her work and
her life, any body who had the pleasure of meeting her would
have been touched by her vivaciousness and style. From 1941
Sandra studied at St Martins and the Royal Academy schools but
it was in 1947 after moving to Italy that she started her painting
career making her mark with strong tonal works using paint and
collage. It was here where she met Alberto Burri.
When she returned to London in 1950 she joined
the forefront of British Modern Abstract Art. Her successs followed
quickly achieving internatioanl recognition.
Sandra spent 44 years in London devoting her working life to
developing her abstract art. It was a time that she described
as being 'wide open` her contemporaries were the likes of Bacon,
Freud, Frost, Hilton + Pasmore also the jazzman and art critic
George Melly.
In 1960 she won the Guggenheim International Award. In 1971
Sandra was elected into the Royal Academy and in 1983 received
an Honorary Fellowship. Sandra moved to Cornwall in 1994 where
she continued to work right up until her sudden death. CCA Galleries
have had the great pleasure of working with Sandra for over
seven years and in that time have published many stunning silkscreen
prints with collaged elements and textures and glazes, her uncompromising
approach pushed printmaking techniques to new boundaries with
the introduction of Hessian, film and cloth. The prints have
become almost sculptural. Last year in celebration of Sandra's
80th birthday CCA published a silkscreen entitled 'Rilievo'
The collaged edition of 80 pieces is so delicately constructed
that each one is presented Boxed.
Her loss will be deeply felt by us all.
COLLECTIONS INCLUDE
Arts Council of Great Brition Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
Contemporary Arts Society, London Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
Leeds City Art Gallery Leicester Museum of Art Liverpool University.
Museum Modern Art New York Nuffield Foundation Tate Gallery
British Council Victoria and Albert Museum
SANDRA BLOW RA 14.09.1925 - 22.08.06
