Harry Holcroft 1951-2013.
Harry Holcroft was educated at Worth Abbey and Downside. He read Geography and Development Economics at Hertford College Oxford, and Art at the Ruskin School of Drawing.
After twenty-five years in the Household Cavalry, he left to paint full time. During the 1970s his art involved commercial commissions for companies as diverse as Drambuie, Bear Stearns, BP Oil and The Economist.
During the ’80s he perfected watercolours of the Middle East.
He then moved into large oils.
His worldwide travels resulted in over 20 exhibitions on subjects as diverse as The Middle East, Russia, Europe, France, India, The Far East, Africa and the Amazon shown in New York, Los Angeles, Provence and London selling paintings of his journeys and his books. These brought him to major collectors attentions worldwide.
His book trilogy 'The Silk Route', 'Spice Route', and 'Slave Route' were followed in 2009 with 'Rainforest - Light and Spirit' with illustrations of his paintings and travels through the world's endangered Rainforests. This was co-authored with Professor Sir Iain Prance, ex-Director of Kew Gardens, and a world authority on the environment. In his studios in Provence and London he created the magic canvasses, that lead one into the lost worlds that have captured the imagination of many.
In the last five years he travelled to the South Pacific, Eastern Australia and India working on new projects. In 2012 he divided his time between London, India and Provence.
He died 3rd November 2013, falling down a steep flight of steps at Ahilya Fort in Madya Pradesh India where he was on his second season as ‘Artist in Residence’ for Prince Richard Holkar. He had just been on his second tour of Oman, painting the breathtaking landscapes and mountains, for an exhibition in Oman due Spring 2014. An exhibition on London and the UK was ready in 2013 for show in 2014.
A 'Restrospective' exhibition of all his paintings will be on show in February 2015 at La Galleria, Pall Mall London.
See 'Forthcoming Exhibitions' tag for details.
FUTURE EXHIBITION
February 23rd - 28th 2015 - La Galleria, Pall Mall, London - 10am - 6pm daily
'Retrospective and Unseen Works'
PREVIOUS EXHIBITIONS
1970-80 - Five Private Exhibitions, London
1981 - The Joseph Gallery, New York
1982 - Private Show, Los Angeles
1983 - The Weighouse Gallery, London
1985 - The Cadogan Contemporary, London - 'Sinai, Egypt, Israel, Jordan'
1987 - Tryall Golf & Country Club, Jamaica - 'amaica & West Indies'
1992 - The Harrington Gallery, London - 'India'
1993 - The Harrington Gallery, London - 'Russia'
1995 - The Bruton Street Gallery, London - 'Prague & Eastern Europe'
1997 - The Air Gallery, London - 'France & Provence'
1997 - The Air Gallery, London 'The Silk Route - from China to Europe'
1999 - The Air Gallery, London - 'The Spice Route'
2002 - The Air Gallery, London - 'The Slave Route'
2003 - Rafael Valls Gallery, London - 'Rainforest, Jungles of South America'
2005 - Private Exhibition - London - 'Rainforest'
2008 - Rainforest - Light and Spirit - Artspace Galleries, Maddox St. London 10-15th November
2010 - 42 Berkeley Square, London - 'Rainforest Destruction' & 'South Pacific'