George Hainsworth – A Retrospective

Dean Clough Crossley Gallery
Halifax
HX3 5AX
Tel: 01422 365875

22 February – 24 May 2025

“Much of my work has links with that exemplified by Chardin, work
that requires to be valued, understood and appreciated by an
intimate and domestic audience. The paintings aspire to being “used
by the eye” as part of domestic life, and therefore make possible the
enrichment that is implied by this experience.”

George Hainsworth describes his work as figurative in the most
expansive sense. He can go from large paintings of vases of flowers
composed of confident gestural impasto marks, to simple geometric
assemblage. Born just before World War Two, George was strongly
affected by war-time events, particularly Hiroshima, which led to the
production of many anti-war works throughout his career.

A student at Leeds College of Art 1955-60, and the Slade School of
Art 1960-62, he went on to work in Higher Education for many years,
alongside his own practice, which also drew from his experiences in
teaching.

“The influences upon my work are too numerous to mention. They
derive from other painters and sculptors, but also from films and
dance, archaeology, science, politics and philosophy. I feel that as an
artist one is and should be embedded in the wider culture,
interacting with it and hopefully enriching it.”

George draws on a wealth of sources, but what he produces is
distinct stylistically, full of physicality and always completely sincere.

A review of the show can be read here.