Pioneering artist Gillian Ayres dies
ABSTRACT artist Gillian Ayres has died aged 88, her agent confirmed.
A spokesman for the Alan Cristea Gallery, which represented her, described her as a “pioneering, great, wonderful woman”.
The gallery’s Twitter account stated: “It is with great sadness that we report the death earlier today of Gillian Ayres peacefully in hospital in North Devon. Our thoughts are with Gillian’s family and friends.”
Alan Cristea, who worked with Ayres for more than 20 years, said: “As a female abstract artist working in the UK, Gillian Ayres was way ahead of her time and the vast majority of her male counterparts but of course, for her, gender was an irrelevance.
“She was an artist, pure and simple, and resisted all attempts to be classified as some kind of feminist, artistic beacon for younger generations. Certainly there were comparisons to be made early on with American abstract art but she always pursued her own creative path. She was immensely courageous, independent and determined in both her art and her lifestyle.
“I worked with her for the last 20 years of her life – I wish it had been longer – and we staged seven exhibitions of her paintings, works on paper and prints during that time. Every one of these shows was a life-enhancing experience since her exuberance and her strength imbued all of us at the gallery and visitors alike.
“I will treasure the memories of these exhibitions and of our frequent visits to her house and studio on the Devon-Cornwall border, where we were always treated to lavish meals, large doses of champagne and riveting anecdotes delivered through clouds of cigarette smoke... I loved her to bits and will miss her enormously.”