NORMAN ACKROYD CBE RA (1938 - 2024)

Norman's 14th biennial solo show at North House Gallery, projected before his death in September, would normally have been focused as usual on the last two years' work. Instead, the 100 etchings, for practical reasons a mere tenth of the total, will try to do justice to his oeuvre since 1980. Stand alone etchings as well as small works from his subject-focused annual collections of etchings are included. There is also one copy of the 2023 collection Connemara and Beyond displayed and for sale.

The selection has been made by Penelope Hughes-Stanton, who lived and worked with Norman for 20 years from 1977 and who, after an amicable separation, has continued the association since establishing North House Gallery in 1999. 'Norman and I travelled all over the British Isles before and with our two children and I am eternally grateful for the knowledge, visions and experiences acquired along the way.' He continued well into his eighties with ever more adventurous trips with congenial friends around the coasts and islands of the British archipelago. His last works were a large watercolour for his friend and neighbour José Pizzarro's new restaurant, Lolo and a cover image for daughter Poppy Ackroyd's CD Notes on Water composed in tribute to her father.

For at least 50 years he has been acknowledged as one of the country's most celebrated landscape artists. Born in Leeds in 1938, he attended Leeds College of Art (1956-61) and the Royal College of Art, London (1961-64). In 1988 he was elected Royal Academician, in 1994 he was made Professor of Etching, University of the Arts, London and in 2000 elected Senior Fellow at the Royal College of Art. In 2007 he was awarded a CBE for services to Engraving and Printmaking.