John Powley

Born 1929 in South London: Strand school where a dedicated and strict art teacher ("Freddie" Round) instilled observation, perspective, shading and line, limited to pencil and charcoal until the boys reached 5th form. After a war time spell as evacuee, scraped through sciences for higher school certificate (now A level) and gained a distinction in Art, taken as an extra subject.

Medical school followed at King,s College London and King's College Hospital, qualifying in 1951. Then National Service (1953 - 55 Singapore) and later various surgical registrar appointments with FRCS in 1958. Consultant in General surgery Eastbourne 1966.

Throughout medical career continued painting which became more serious as an indirect result of a successful hernia operation on Robert Tavener RE, vice principle of Eastbourne College of Art.

Through him attended courses at Phillips House (Dinton, Salisbury) with Edward Wesson, Tom Coates, John Yardley, Bob Brown etc. Later becoming a tutor there and at Dedham Hall replacing Bill Voss who died in 1989. Joined the Wapping Group in 2000.

Favourite artists :- Turner (of course), Whistler, Sargent, Waterhouse, Matisse, Sickert, Vuillard - and 20th Century, Mary Potter, John Piper, Sandra Blow and John Virtue among others.

Wishes :- Not to be a slave to "the view". Plein air painting achieves freshness with unexpected visual treats but it can lack creativity and imagination.

EXHIBITIONS
Those with Wapping Group since 1999, Mall Gallery, with RI, NEAC, RSMA, RBAand Medical Art Society. RWS, Venice in Peril, Langham Fine Art, Towner Gallery. RA Summer Exhibition 2003,2004, 2006. Solo shows in Eastbourne, Lewes and Shepherd Market, London.