Brighton Pier

Brighton Pier by Edward Bawden

Edward Bawden

ARTIST STORY

Edward Bawden (1903-1989) was an artist of many talents, excelling in the art of printmaking, illustration and graphic design. He was born in Essex, and is best known for his simple line work and rich colour palette that capture the beauty in urban and rural English scenes.

His series of linocut prints of London monuments and markets cemented his famous graphic and simplistic style. We love how Bawden was famed for blurring the line between ‘high art’ and commercial design, creating his own style that is still distinctive to this day. Bawden studied at Cambridge School of Art and then earned a coveted scholarship to the Royal College of Art, where he would accept commissions in his spare time. Throughout his career as an illustrator Bawden produced work for companies such as Twinings, Fortnum and Mason, Penguin Books and London Transport. His recognisable designs and illustrious career earned him honorary doctorates from both the Royal College of Art and the University of Essex, and in 1946 he was awarded a CBE. A decade later, Bawden became a Royal Academician as a Draughtsman, the first ever person to have been accepted into this category. After his death, Bawden left around 3,000 of his works to The Higgins Art Gallery & Museum.

We love how Bawden was famed for blurring the line between ‘high art’ and commercial design, creating his own style that is still distinctive to this day. His earthy toned linocuts are a snapshot into a past era of Britain. From sprawling countryside scenes to works depicting the architecture of big cities, Bawden's artwork is both an homage to design and a celebration of British industry.