Fred Yates - Artist - St Just - Cornwall

(July 25, 1922 – July 7, 2008) born Frederick Joseph Yates, was an English artist. His paintings are included in many private and public collections including Brighton and Hove Art Gallery, Liverpool University, the University of Warwick, Torquay Art Gallery and Russell Coates Gallery Bournemouth.

Biography

Fred Yates was born in a suburb of Manchester, England in 1922. He began his working life as an insurance clerk but this career was cut short by the Second World War, during which he served as a Guardsman. His twin brother was killed during the failed attempt to capture the bridge at Arnhem in September 1944.

After the war Yates took up painting on his return to Manchester - initially as a painter and decorator. And it was whilst working in Manchester, and training to become a teacher, that Yates began painting - much in the vein of LS Lowry.

By 1970 he was living and working in Cornwall, England, as a painter. In Cornwall, Yates painted almost exclusively outdoors - scenes of local village life, clifftop and beach scenes. It was around this period that Yates' commercial success began after the "St Ives 1939-64" exhibition at the Tate Gallery in London. It was also around this time that Yates had a solo exhibition in Geneva which saw some of his work purchased by Henri Cartier-Bresson.

In later years, Yates moved to France. To a small village in the Haute-Vienne department. Here he painted local scenes and both met and encouraged local artists.  He also purchased a house in Avignon, France. Despite his advanced age - he was already over 80 - he continued to paint regularly and travel widely right up until his death.

Death and memorial

Yates died of a heart attack on returning to England in July 2008. A public Memorial Service was held at St James's Church, Piccadilly on September 11th at 12 noon.

Books

Fred Yates, John Martin, Francis Mallet, Fred Yates: C'est votre passion, monsieur! (London, White Lane Press, 2007)

(courtesy  www.wikipedia.com)