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Tribute to artist Ken

28/ 5/2008

WENDY J Levy pays tribute to the life and career of Didsbury artist Kenneth Lawson, who has died aged 87 ...

KENNETH Lawson enjoyed a long and distinguished career as an artist.  Born in 1920, he started painting seriously at the age of 16 and a few years later, in 1942, was accepted and "hung" in Burlington House in an exhibition of work by the "London Group".

This group of artists sprang from a group of Impressionist painters working in Camden Town.  A founding member of this group was the eminent artist, David Bomberg (1890-1957). 

During this exhibition Lawson’s work received high praise from the art critics of the time and successful exhibitions followed at major galleries in London, including the Redfern Gallery, Cork Street; The Leger Gallery, Bond Street; and The Leicester Gallery, Panton Street.

The celebrated artist, Graham Sutherland (1903-1980), was commissioned to produce a huge painting for exhibition in the ‘Land’ pavilion at the Festival of Britain, on London’s South Bank, in 1951.  He had not previously worked on anything so large and sought the help of Kenneth Lawson who was, himself, quite accustomed to transferring small-scale drawings to large-scale canvases. 

Measuring 14ft x 11ft, the painting, entitled ‘Origins of the Land’, was created at the Tate Gallery, Millbank, and has remained there ever since its initial showing on the South Bank.  Unfortunately, during its exhibition, the painting was slashed by a vandal and, on Graham Sutherland’s request, Kenneth Lawson successfully restored it.

One of Ken Lawson’s treasured possessions is a book, ‘The Work of Graham Sutherland’, on the title page of which is inscribed “For Kenneth, without whose intelligent and calm help ‘The Origins’ might not have been done!  From his friend, Graham Sutherland. Menton 1/7/70”

The success of the collaboration on ‘The Origins of the Land’ resulted in another project in 1952 and 1953 when Kenneth Lawson worked with Graham Sutherland on the drawings of the world's largest tapestry which was made in France and later installed at Coventry Cathedral.  Ken Lawson was the only assistant Graham Sutherland ever had.

Kenneth Lawson’s original mentor, when in Dulwich, S.E. London, was the Royal Academician, James Fitton, who remained advisor and friend until his death in 1982, aged 83 years.

Having lived first in Dulwich, London, where he survived a hit from a V1 flying bomb in World War 2, Ken then lived in Chelsea and Knightsbridge before joining BBC TV in 1956 which necessitated his move to the north west of England. Once settled there his wife and two children soon joined him.

His creative flair was to make a big impression on the world of television. He became "designer-in-charge" with the then newly formed BBC Television Service Production Unit and was responsible for such major successes as “Top of The Pops”, "The Good Old Days", and The Ken Dodd Variety Shows, as well as the Harry Worth and the Val Doonican series. In total he designed more than 1500 well known TV productions for BBC TV. Ken thoroughly enjoyed his work and after normal retirement age he continued to work for the BBC as a freelance design consultant until he was 70 years old.

Ken Lawson’s career was also absorbed by the world of theatre.  Working as Scenic Artist and Designer at many prestigious theatres including, the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.  He designed seven operas, including ‘Tosca’ and ‘Madame Butterfly’, for the South Yorkshire Opera Company at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre.

Ken enjoyed travel and spent time in France, Italy, Madeira, Portugal and Grand Canary. In recent years he spent his winters in the milder temperatures of Menton in the South of France. 

Throughout his working career and up to his death he was a prolific painter and continued to create his own works of art. His travels resulted in many paintings of the landscapes and seascapes that he loved, with much of his early work depicting the artists’ haven, Cornwall.  Ken’s paintings were produced with a unique vision and experienced hand.  His loose and expressive brush strokes depicted the emotional elements of nature rather than its structure.

He was a tall, handsome and distinguished man with immense charm and charisma.  He never sought the limelight but would always ensure that others received recognition.

As well as having been shown in the major galleries in London, his work has also been shown in the Manchester and Salford Art Galleries and is in many significant collections in this country and abroad.

Although he separated from his wife more than thirty years ago, they were never divorced. He was much loved and respected by his many friends and colleagues, and the contributions of his help and expertise so willingly given to his fellow artists and to the world of art will never be forgotten.

Ken is survived by his wife, Joan, and their son, Roger, and daughter, Cassandra. He had lived in Didsbury, in an apartment in The Beeches for the last 35 years.  

Kenneth George Lawson, artist and TV & theatre set designer, was born on 23rd August, 1920.  He died of cancer on 23rd May, 2008, aged 87.