Bryan Wynter (1915-75) was a major figure in post-war British art. This is the first full-length survey of his career. It examines the cultural, intellectual and social contexts of his work, from his early studies at the Slade and interest in Surrealism, through his move to Cornwall after the Second World War and his place in the progressive art scene in London and St Ives between 1945 and 1975. Michael Bird establishes the theme of Wynter as a 'great experimenter' - a facet of his personality that is reflected in his art throughout his career. It incorporates Wynter's application of Surrealist methods, his passion for exploring his surroundings on land and water, the connection between Wynter's use of the drug mescaline and his great series of abstract paintings from 1956-61, and his groundbreaking experiments in kinetic art in the 1960s. Wynter has often been seen as a 'St Ives' artist. This book examines key differences between Wynter and his close associate Patrick Heron. It places both Wynter's art and his thinking firmly in the wider context of the post-war British and American avant-garde. Generously illustrated with works from all periods of Wynter's creative life, including many works never previously reproduced, this book makes an important contribution to the history of post-war British art. It will be a valuable source of reference for all those with an interest in abstract art, the St Ives painters, and post-war cultural history.

Author Biography

Michael Bird is a freelance writer and art historian. His previous publications include Sandra Blow (2005) and The St Ives Artists: A Biography of Place and Time (2008).