Anthony Harris 

Anthony Harris (1931 - ) Anthony Harris was born and raised in Reading, Berkshire where he showed an early aptitude for the Arts. He matriculated at the age of fifteen and whilst working in an office for two years, he attended Evening Classes at the University of Reading. He spent all his spare time in drawing and painting. He was accepted as a full time student in the Department of Fine Art of the university and following a one year course, qualified as a graduate art teacher. He later studied art history at the Courtauld Institute, University of London. 
His talent was recognised by Jack Beddington who selected three of Harris's paintings for his book Young Artists of Promise (1957, Studio Publications, London). The distinguished collector Ruth Borchard purchased the Self Portrait 1958. Her collection of British Self Portraits was exhibited in 2004 and 2009 at the Kings Gallery, Kings Cross, London. Following early publicity Harris was invited to show in the Mayor Gallery and later selected for the R.B.A. and Royal Academy. 

Harris’ long career as an artist and academic includes being the Head of Camberwell College of Arts and vice-principal of Chelsea School of Art. He has painted in oils and watercolours for over sixty years and held several one man shows in England and Italy. He has taken part in many mixed exhibitions including the Royal Academy. He has previously published lectures on drawing and Ruskin.

Last year he published his book Brushes With Genius: Anecdotes on Art and Artists is a lifetime story which starts from his earliest days as a student at Reading University where he studied Fine Art and met Stanley Spencer. It continues for 70 years, in which time he has travelled extensively to create his own paintings in the literal footsteps of Gauguin, Van Gogh, Delacroix, Turner and others. The book can be purchased at the gallery and through Waterstones bookshop here

He lives in St. Albans with his wife who he met at Reading University and continues to paint.