Stephenson (Ian, 1934-2000). Chair Development, 1955

AR * Stephenson (Ian, 1934-2000). Chair Development, 1955, oil on wooden frame and board, mounted on white painted frame, inscribed by the artist to verso Chair Development 1955 15" x 13 1/4" IStepehnson, additional handwritten pencil label to verso I. Stephenson King's College Newcastle, signed and dated 'Chair Development/1955/I Stephenson' to verso, with additional presentation inscription to verso by the artist 'for Lawrence with gratitude for his friendship, Roger', and further inscribed by the artist with title 'Camer Street R de Grey', 38.5 x 34 cm (15 1/4 x 13 1/4 ins), overall backing frame size 63.5 x 59 cm (25 x 23 1/4 ins) QTY: (1) NOTE: Provenance: Collection of Sir Lawrence Gowing (1918-1991). Born in County Durham, Ian Stephenson is recognised as one of the most important British abstract artists of his generation. He studied at Kings College Newcastle-Upon-Tyne between 1951 and 1956 alongside Noel Forster, where he was taught by Lawrence Gowing, Victor Pasmore, and Richard Hamilton. He featured in the ground breaking Redfern Gallery exhibition Metavisual Tachiste and Abstract Painting in 1957 and held his first exhibition with Noel Forster in London at the New Vision Centre in 1958. His work was included in Antonioni's iconic film Blow-Up in 1966, and a retrospective of his work Ian Stephenson: Paintings 1955-66 and 1966-77 was held at Hayward Gallery London in 1977 (touring to the Arnofini Gallery, Bristol, and Turnpike Gallery, Leigh-on-Sea). Stephenson returned to Newcastle to take up a post as Director of Foundation Studies in Fine Art at Newcastle 1966 until 1970 alongside Hamilton and Pasmore. His work was described as 'the most beautiful being made in this country' in the introduction by Joanna Drew for the catalogue for the 1977 Hayward Gallery retrospective.