Gillian Ayres

Born 1930 – Died 2018

Ayres was one of Britain’s most significant abstract painters, known for her vibrantly coloured paintings and prints which earned her a place on the 1989 Turner Prize shortlist. She held a number of teaching positions, at St Martins School of Art from 1965 to 1978, and as Head of Painting at Winchester School of Art until 1981. In 1987 she relocated to the North Devon-Cornwall border where she remained for the rest of her life. She was elected as a Royal Academician in 1991.