Alfred Clive Gardiner (3 April 1891–15 May 1960) was a British teacher, illustrator, printmaker, painter and designer. An important artist in his own right, Graham Sutherland said of him: 'Everything worthwhile I learnt, I learnt from him.'[
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Early life
He was born in Blackburn in Lancashire,[Lancashire, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813–1911] the son of Ada née Claydon and the journalist, editor and author Alfred George Gardiner (1865–1946), the editor of The Daily News. Gardiner attended University College School. Aged 16 he went to Paris which inspired his interest in the works of Paul Cézanne[ and French modern art in general which lead to his interest in Cubism, Futurism and Surrealism.][ He considered a career in journalism, but instead trained at the Slade School of Fine Art from 1909 to 1912. He attended the Royal Academy Schools from 1913 to 1914. During World War I he served at the Ministry of Munitions. After successfully completing an art teaching course, he became a teacher at the Brighton School of Art and began to draw book illustrations, which included plates for Pillars of Empire: Studies and Impressions (1918), Leaves in the Wind (1918) and Many Furrows (1924). With the encouragement of Pierre Puvis de Chavannes he exhibited for several years at the Royal Academy and the New English Art Club.][ Gardiner also joioned the New Society of Artists.
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Career
In 1918 he was appointed a part-time teacher at Bolt Court Technical School and at Goldsmiths' College School of Art, where he became Acting Warden in 1953 and Headmaster of the Art School (1929–1958). Gardiner is credited with moving the Art School in the direction of 'higher education in art', introducing formal teaching and advancing respect for Impressionism and Modernism.[ Goldsmiths History Timeline 1930s Goldsmiths History Project][Firth, A E (1991). Goldsmiths' College. A Centenary Account, London: Athlone Press. p. 156] Gardiner taught at the Sir John Cass Technical Institute and was a founder member and later a college principal of the Blackheath Art Society in 1947, with Graham Sutherland as the first President, along with college principals Leonard Daniels, Hebert Matthews and John Mansbridge.
In 1924 he gained recognition for the murals he painted for the British Empire Exhibition.[ He created illustrations for books written by his father and in addition began portrait painting and designed a series of large posters promoting British and Empire products and places. Among his poster designs were 27 for London Transport, many of which were influenced by his interest in Cubism, such as 'Kew Gardens' (1928) and 'The Tower of London' (1927), and Futurism, as shown in his design 'Save Time – Be on Your Way with a Season Ticket' (1928) and 'Season Tickets Save Time' (1928). As a poster artist for Shell plc he took part in the Modern Pictorial Advertising exhibition held at the New Burlington Galleries in London in 1931. In addition, Gardiner designed posters for the Empire Marketing Board (1926–33).][Buckman, David. Artists in Britain Since 1945, Art Dictionaries Ltd, part of Sansom & Company][ Clive Gardiner, Art Institute of Chicago database][ Poster: Hampton Court, by Clive Gardiner, 1927, London Transport Museum Collection]
In the years of World War II Gardiner collaborated on the décor and design of the British Restaurants for the Ministry of Food.[ Alfred Clive Gardiner (1891–1960), British Council website] In his later years he became interested in watercolour painting and small oil landscapes.[ Clive Gardiner, artist and educator, The History of Arts Education in Brighton, University of Brighton] The Arts Council of Great Britain held a posthumous exhibition of his work in 1963. His pupils including the painter Carel Weight and the designer and typographer Charles Hasler.
Personal life
In 1920 he married Lilian Adelaide Lancaster (1888–1973),[Lilian Adelaide Lancaster in London, England, Church of England Marriages] an artist and a pupil of Walter Sickert. With her he had two sons, the academic philosopher Patrick Gardiner and the writer and architect Stephen Gardiner.[ Clive Gardiner (1891–1960), Art UK website]
Clive Gardiner died at St. Stephen's Hospital in Chelsea in 1960. He left an estate valued at £20789 12s. 8d.[Alfred Clive Gardiner in the England & Wales, National Probate Calendar]
External links
