Eastbourne artist and printmaker Robert Tavener remembered in centenary year

Emma said: “We moved in the spring after ten years at Cornfield Terrace. This is the first exhibition in the new gallery.”

As Emma says, “This year marks one hundred years since artist, Robert Tavener (1920-2004) was born. To celebrate, we will be showing work from Tavener’s archive plus work for sale, many of which are the last available. Works for sale will include early lithographs from the 1950s, linocuts of the English landscape and architecture, images of the Horse Guards in London and the Sussex countryside and seaside

“Tavener was born in London but moved to Eastbourne in 1953 and lived and worked in Eastbourne for the rest of his life. It became a home and a place he loved. Tavener was a teacher, illustrator, painter but above all a printmaker. Tavener worked as a printmaker and teacher for over fifty years. His linocuts and lithographs were hand printed on his Victorian Albion press and he was inspired by the ‘pattern, shape and texture’ of the English landscape and architecture that surrounded him.

“Born in Hampstead, North London, Tavener was an office clerk until 1940 when he was called up, serving in the Royal Artillery Surrey Regiment. After the war he returned to London and trained as an illustrator and printmaker at Hornsey College of Art.

“During his long career as a printmaker Tavener also illustrated many magazine covers for House and Garden, Lilliput, many children’s books and posters for London Transport and others.

“He made his home in Eastbourne, teaching printmaking at the local school of art where he later became vice-principal. He had several exhibitions at the Towner Gallery and bequeathed a collection of his prints to them in the 1980s. His garden gate led directly onto the South Downs, which provided Tavener with inspiration and strength.”

The gallery is open during October on Thurs, Fri and Sat 10am-4pm (at other times by appointment).

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