Ceri Richards (1903 – 1971)

Biography: Born in Wales, into a highly cultured, working-class environment, Ceri Richards studied at Swansea College of Art and subsequently won a scholarship to the Royal College of Art. He spent most of his life in London, apart from a period teaching art in Cardiff. His work gradually moved towards surrealism. He was deeply affected by Kandinsky, Picasso, Matisse and Ernst. He was also a talented musician, and music was a theme for much of his artwork, as too was poetry. One of the high points of his career was the Venice Biennale of 1962, where he represented Britain and was a prizewinner. Many of his works are in the Tate Britain collection. He also designed stage sets and stained glass windows.