Frank Avray Wilson (1914-2009)

Born in Mauritius, and known as an Abstract Expressionist painter, printmaker and writer, Avray Wilson was also a scientist with a Masters Degree in Biology from Cambridge University. He studied art in France and Norway and was the first painter in England to apply the techniques and methods of Action Painting and Tachism.


In 1956 he helped form the New Vision Centre Gallery, which became a showcase for Modern and Abstract work. He had his first solo exhibition at Obelisk Gallery, London in 1954 and later showed regularly at the Redfern Gallery from 1950. He featured in many important group exhibitions in particular at the British Arts Council; La Peinture Anglaise Contemporaine, 1957 Liege, Paris, in Switzerland and also New Trends in British Painting New York Foundation in Rome, 1958. He showed at the Leicester Galleries, the Royal Academy London, the Paris Salon, AIA in Paris and Brussels as well as numerous other international venues.


Avray Wilson's work is in many notable public collections including; the Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, City Art Gallery, Manchester, City Art Gallery, Leeds, Cleveland Museum of Modern Art, Durham University, Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea, Leeds University, Leicester Museum and Art Gallery, The Southampton Art Gallery, The Toledo Art Gallery, Ohio, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool