Clifford Fishwick

Clifford Fishwick (21 June 1923 in Accrington, Lancashire – 22 January 1997 in Exeter)[1] was a painter and Principal of Exeter College of Art and Design who exhibited regularly with the Newlyn and Penwith Societies. Fishwick is regarded as an important if underrated figure in post-war British painting.[2]

Fishwick attended the Liverpool School of Art. He began teaching at Exeter College of Art and Design in 1947 and was principal from 1958 to 1984.[3][4] He was a member of the Kenn Group of Artists (along with Michael Mason - a former student of his,[5]William Ruscoe, John Maltby, Amy Elton, [6][7] Frank Middleditch, [8] Rowland Hill,[9]Peter Thursby[10]and others) and exhibited in the group's annual shows regularly, often in the gallery of the Royal Albert Memorial Museum,[11] but also further afield.

Fishwick had a close association with Peter Lanyon[12] and was a member of the Newlyn Society of Artists from 1952 to 1983.[13] Fishwick exhibited widely, including at the Royal Academy[14] and the Penwith Society of Arts.[15] Fishwick lived with his artist wife Patricia (b. 1929) in Topsham, Devon.[16]

A painting titled At the Wheel of Boojum signed and dated 'Clifford Fishwick '56' was sold at Christie's in 2012 for £2000.[17]

After his death, retrospective exhibitions were held in Exeter and Plymouth.[18] His work is held at the British Museum in London, University of Plymouth, Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery, Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter, and University of Exeter.