Edward Middleditch

Edward Middleditch (1923–1987), was an English artist.

He was born in Chelmsford, Essex. From 1949–52 he attended Royal College of Art, where his teachers were Ruskin Spear, Carel Weight and John Minton. His fellow students included Derrick Greaves and Jack Smith. Middleditch associated early on with the so-called 'Kitchen Sink' school of realist painters in the 1950s. He held teaching posts at Chelsea School of Art, St Martins School of Art, and Norwich School of Art (where he became head of fine art).

He was elected a member of the Royal Academy in 1973, later as Keeper of the Royal Academy (in charge of the schools). Middleditch exhibited widely and is represented in major and regional collections in UK, US, Canada, and Australia.

Style

As a painter, draughtsman and printmaker he has a unique place in British art. He drew his motifs always from the natural world: grasses, water, feathers, opening petals, reflections. Gradually shifting observed patterns became fleeting abstracted movements often caught from water currents and light effects. His later work became more highly abstracted, concerned with repeating patterns as if seen from above and filling the picture-frame; drawing influence from kilims and Persian carpets. Middleditch died aged 64 in Chelmsford, Essex 1987.

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