Albert Irvin OBE RA (1922–2015) was a celebrated British abstract expressionist known for his vibrant, large-scale paintings, watercolours, gouaches, and screen prints. Born in Bermondsey, London, Irvin lived and worked in the city throughout his life, creating bold, expressive works that celebrated the human experience and reflected his deep fascination with journeys, cities, and the dynamic relationship between people and their environments. Irvin’s artistic journey began at Northampton School of Art in 1940, but was interrupted by World War II, during which he served as a navigator in the Royal Air Force. After the war, he resumed his education at Goldsmiths College, London, graduating in 1950 with a National Diploma in Design. He later returned to Goldsmiths as a lecturer, teaching from...
Albert Irvin OBE RA (1922–2015) was a celebrated British abstract expressionist known for his vibrant, large-scale paintings, watercolours, gouaches, and screen prints. Born in Bermondsey, London, Irvin lived and worked in the city throughout his life, creating bold, expressive works that celebrated the human experience and reflected his deep fascination with journeys, cities, and the dynamic relationship between people and their environments. Irvin’s artistic journey began at Northampton School of Art in 1940, but was interrupted by World War II, during which he served as a navigator in the Royal Air Force. After the war, he resumed his education at Goldsmiths College, London, graduating in 1950 with a National Diploma in Design. He later returned to Goldsmiths as a lecturer, teaching from 1962 to 1983, and went on to mentor students at art schools across Britain. Inspired by the American Abstract Expressionists, particularly Willem de Kooning and Franz Kline, Irvin moved away from figuration in the late 1950s, fully embracing abstraction as a way to express what he called “the drama of life.” His work evolved into a distinctive visual language of radiant colour and broad, sweeping brushstrokes, often applied while working on canvases laid flat on the floor using long-handled brushes. For Irvin, painting was not about depicting the world, but about engaging with it—his compositions serving as immersive experiences that mirrored the movement, emotion, and energy of lived life. Irvin’s first solo exhibition was held in 1960 at 57 Gallery, London. He exhibited widely throughout his career, both nationally and internationally, and was a regular presence at Gimpel Fils, London. A major retrospective of his work from 1960 to 1989 was held at the Serpentine Gallery, London in 1990. His work is represented in major public collections including Tate, the Arts Council, the British Council, the Royal Academy, Manchester Art Gallery, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. He was awarded a Travel Award to America by the Arts Council in 1968, received an Arts Council Major Award, and was elected a Royal Academician in 1998. In 2011, Irvin’s work was exhibited in the Sir Hugh Casson Room for Friends at the Royal Academy. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to the visual arts. Albert Irvin (1922–2015, lived and worked in London, UK) studied at Northampton School of Art and later at Goldsmiths College, London, where he also taught from 1962 to 1983. Irvin held solo exhibitions at 57 Gallery, London; Gimpel Fils, London; and had a major retrospective at the Serpentine Gallery, London. His work featured in group shows nationally and internationally and is held in collections including Tate, the British Council, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. He received numerous honours, including an Arts Council Travel Award in 1968, an Arts Council Major Award, and was elected a Royal Academician in 1998. In 2013 he was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his contributions to British art.Opening Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 10:00 - 18:00 |
| Wednesday | 10:00 - 18:00 |
| Thursday | 10:00 - 18:00 |
| Friday | 10:00 - 18:00 |
| Saturday | 10:00 - 18:00 |
| Sunday | Closed |