George Gault’s Biography 1916 - 2001

George Gault was born in Belfast in 1916. At the age of 18 he enlisted in the Royal Artillery, serving from 1934-37. He was recalled in 1939 and served in the Second World War until demobilisation in 1946.

After the War George studied at Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts from 1947 until 1951, where his main influences were William Coldstream, Kenneth Martin, Victor Pasmore and William Townsend. Following these studies George taught at Greenwich Adult Education Institute for twenty years.

In 1954 George won the Silver Medal at the Paris Salon with a piece entitled "Girl Reading"; a study of his wife Pauline whom he married in 1942. This painting features on the rear dust cover of "Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts; its students and teachers, 1943-1960", written in 1995 by Geoff Hassell. In 1957 George was one of Jack Beddington's "Young Artists of Promise", in the book of the same title.

Undoubtedly George's work is original and individual in approach and he is described by James Heard, the well-known art critic, as "very much his own man". His composition is powerful and pleasing, yet executed with spontaneity resulting from years of discipline and experience. George's style is reminiscent of the impressionists, but with the post-impressionist strength of colour. His subject matter is extremely wide ranging and includes landscape, seascape, still-life, abstract and figurative work.

George sadly died in London on 23rd April 2001. In his obituary (The Independent, 10 May 2001) he was described as a gentle, courteous and modest man, incapable of self-promotion.

Exhibitions

• Royal Academy, London (16 paintings from 1950-1982)
• London Group
• Paris Salon (Silver Medal)
• Royal Society of Portrait Painters
• New English Art Club
• Royal Society of British Artists
• Fine Art Society
• The Café Royal, London
• Roland, Browse & Delbanco, London
• Sweet Waters Gallery, London
• Blackheath Gallery, London
• Woodlands Art Gallery, London
• The Cleft Art Gallery, Donaghadee
• White Image, Hillsborough
• The James Gallery, Bangor