Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is still under copyright. William Turnbull died in 2012; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it remains in force until 2082. The image is shown here for classroom reference; rights remain with the rights holder.
In context
20 1963 — William Turnbull
Shaded: the lifetime of William Turnbull (1922–2012)
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Measured from the image
Main colour
Walnut #80160e
Catalogued palette
Artist and museum
Born in Dundee, United Kingdom
William Turnbull (1922-2012) was a Scottish artist whose career spanned sculpture, painting, and printmaking. Born in Dundee to John and Anne Turnbull, his early fascination with art manifested through copying illustrations from magazines. His formal education was interrupted by the Great Depression when he left school at 15 to find work, initially as a laborer and later painting film posters. Attending evening drawing classes at Dundee University under James McIntosh Patrick and Fred Mould proved formative, exposing him to landscape painting and illustration techniques. These early experiences laid the groundwork for his future artistic endeavors.
Turnbull's life took a significant turn during World War II when he enlisted in the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1941. Serving as a pilot in Canada, India, and Sri Lanka broadened his perspective and exposed him to diverse cultures. After the war, he briefly studied at the Slade School of Fine Art in London but found its approach restrictive. Disillusioned with the Slade's neo-romanticism, he relocated to Paris in 1948, a pivotal move that shaped his artistic trajectory. In Paris, he encountered influential artists and movements, including Cézanne and Monet, which deeply influenced his aesthetic sensibilities.
Turnbull’s career can be broadly divided into several distinct periods. His early sculpture (1950s) featured totemic columns and forms often inspired by ancient art and rock formations. The 1950s also saw him associated with the Independent Group, a forum for discussion and debate that contributed to the emergence of Pop Art. In the 1960s, he experimented with steel, Perspex, and fibreglass, creating modular sculptures influenced by American Colour Field Painting. A significant shift occurred in the 1970s when he returned to more molded forms and stylized bronze figurines, reflecting a renewed focus on surface patterns and color. Throughout his career, Turnbull demonstrated a remarkable versatility, seamlessly transitioning between different materials and styles while maintaining a distinctive artistic voice.
William Turnbull’s contributions to British art are considerable. His inclusion in the 1952 Venice Biennale's New Aspects of British Sculpture exhibition established his international reputation. A major retrospective at the Tate Gallery in 1973 provided a comprehensive overview of his work, prompting him to re-evaluate his artistic direction. Turnbull’s ability to synthesize diverse influences—from ancient art and European modernism to American Color Field Painting—created a unique body of work that defied easy categorization. His role within the Independent Group positioned him as an early innovator in the development of Pop Art, while his sculptures and paintings continue to be celebrated for their formal elegance and intellectual depth. He is remembered as a significant figure in post-war British art, known for his independent spirit and unwavering commitment to artistic exploration.
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Look closely
20 1963 — William Turnbull
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