John Cecil Stephenson: a Modernist in Hampstead

John Cecil Stephensons art school training enabled him to produce still lives, landscapes, and portraits in a professional capacity. However, in the early 1930s, he found himself at the center of a group of artists with avant-garde credentials, and his own art underwent a remarkable transformation. By 1934, he was exhibiting groundbreaking works such as Mask (CAT. 7) at the 7 & 5 Society, and in 1937, he was a key contributor to the watershed publication and exhibition Circle, showcasing his work alongside that of luminaries such as Kazimir Malevich, Le Corbusier, Fernand Léger, Alberto Giacometti, and Pablo Picasso.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2022
Publisher: Liss Llewellyn

John Cecil Stephensons art school training, which began with a scholarship to Leeds Art School and continued with a degree from The Royal College of Art, positioned him to excel in the professional realm of still lives, landscapes, and portraits. Like many painters of his generation who had received similar conventional instruction, he also became a skilled teacher, appointed as Head of Art at The Northern Polytechnic in 1922. However, it was in the early 1930s that Stephenson's artistic journey took a remarkable turn. He found himself at the center of a group of avant-garde artists, and his own work underwent a profound transformation. By 1934, he was showcasing groundbreaking pieces such as Mask (CAT. 7) at the 7 & 5 Society, and in 1937, he played a pivotal role in the influential publication and exhibition Circle, where his work was showcased alongside the likes of Kazimir Malevich, Le Corbusier, Fernand Léger, Alberto Giacometti, and Pablo Picasso.

What led Stephenson to develop a completely abstract style, as acclaimed art critic Herbert Read described him? Between March 1919 and November 1965, John Cecil Stephensons resided in London at No. 6 Mall Studios, located off Tasker Road in Hampstead. As the father figure of what Read coined as a "nest of gentle artists," his neighboring artists included renowned figures such as Barbara Hepworth, John Skeaping, Ben Nicholson, and Henry Moore during the decade preceding World War II. This fertile ground was further enriched by visits from artists fleeing persecution, including Piet, László Moholy-Nagy, and Alexander Calder, who were part of the art set that gathered around Read's house.

Stephenson's artistic journey was marked by his willingness to experiment and push boundaries. He was influenced by various movements, including Cubism, Futurism, and Surrealism, but he ultimately forged his own unique style. His abstract works, characterized by bold colors, geometric shapes, and abstract forms, reflected his fascination with the world around him and his desire to explore new artistic possibilities.

Despite his early success, Stephenson's career was not without its challenges. He faced criticism from some quarters for his unconventional approach, and he struggled to find a consistent market for his art. However, he remained committed to his craft and continued to produce new and innovative works throughout his life.

In conclusion, John Cecil Stephensons art school training laid the foundation for his remarkable career as an abstract artist. His willingness to experiment and push boundaries, coupled with his connections to avant-garde artists and his dedication to his craft, led him to become one of the earliest artists in the country to develop a completely abstract style. His legacy continues to inspire and influence artists today, and his work remains a testament to the power of artistic expression.

Weight: 490g
Dimension: 214 x 270 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781999314569