1915-2001 → Michael Chase began his career as a gallerist and only began painting full time in 1976 when he became utterly captivated by the medium of watercolour. Paying particular attention to the visual ingredients a physical place portrays, he painted mostly abstract landscapes, drawing inspiration from visits to France, Italy, Greece and Egypt, as well as England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. He quickly became known for his innovative use of large tubes of paint rather than tiny amounts of colour in a box, as well as all sorts of house painting brushes. These methods opened doors for him, and invitations to exhibit soon followed. Sources of inspiration came from Paul Nash, Arthur Boyd, and Paul Klee.
After the Second World War, Chase began work as a trainee at a British interior decorating firm, which propelled him into the carer of an art gallery administrator shortly thereafter. He worked at the Kensington Art Gallery and most notably the Zwemmer Gallery in London from 1954-65. After moving to Colchester, he became the director of the Minories Gallery (1966-75), and in 1975, devoted his attention to painting full-time.
He was awarded the Barcham Green Award at an open exhibition at Bankside Gallery, London in 1986. He also exhibited at the John Russell Gallery in Ipswich in 1994 and later at the Chappel Galleries.
He had close contact with many leading artists of the day, including John Piper, Michael Rothenstein, Edwards Bawden, Julian Trevelyan, John Nash and Winifred Nicholson, which provided the background of his artistic education as opposed to a more conventional means of study in art schools. He also gave the Australian painter Arthur Boyd his first London showing.
Since 1976, he has had some 20 solo exhibitions all over England in addition to taking part in many group exhibitions and open shows. His works are featured in many private and public collections.
For all you deep art divers out there.
More information on the Zwemmer Gallery.
Minories Gallery website.
More information on the artists Chase encountered as a gallerist and artist (all linked bios sourced from the Tate Gallery):
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