Patrick Procktor, R.A. (1936-2003)

When discussing Procktor's exhibition in 1963 Bryan Robertson wrote: 'Procktor's first exhibition at the Redfern Gallery in 1963 was conspicuous as a whole for its panache and attack, its big canvases of figurative themes dramatized through strong colour, emphatic placement of figures in space or ground, and a resonant, warm schematic and semi-abstract use of colour to carry the highly-charged handling of pigment. The show launched his career with a bang. Everything was sold' (exhibition catalogue, Patrick Procktor paintings 1959-1989, Welshpool, Oriel Davies Gallery, 1989. p. 11).