Austen Pinkerton

Biography: Austen Pinkerton


Austen Pinkerton was born in 1951 in North Harrow, north-west London, and educated locally at Pinner County Grammar School, leaving with nine 'O' (Ordinary) level, and four 'A' (Advanced) level passes.
On leaving school he began study at the Oxford School of Architecture, Oxford polytechnic, where he spent the first two years. While at Oxford he had a one-man show at the Oxford Playhouse, described by the university magazine 'Isis', as 'A delightful breath of fresh air in the gallery'.*
At the end of the second year it was suggested that he should consider transferring to Art College, as a result of pictures he included in a second year final exhibition.
He then went to Goldsmiths College, London University, School of Art, graduating in 1976 with a Batchelor of Arts: Fine Art (Painting).
At Goldsmiths School of Art the Principal was Jon Thompson, later mentor to the likes of Damian Hirst, and his tutors included the artists Albert Irvin O.B.E., Basil Beatty, and Andrew Brighton, later to be curator of public events at Tate Modern. The painting school was in the old Surrey Docks Office building, Rotherhithe, at which there was a break-in, and six of his pai...

/ participate in large group shows. One exhibition in the USA in North Carolina has so far taken place. He has also contributed to a group exhibition at the Arkhangel gallery in Listowel, Eire.
In 2011 he was offered a two year contract with the Corporate Art branch of the GX fine art Gallery in Camberwell, South London, (Since closed).
From late 2011 he began to enter for public competitions, e.g.: John Moores, BP Portrait award, Whitechapel Open, R. I. of British Watercolour Artists, Pastel Society, R. I. of British Artists, Cork Street Open, Threadneedle competition, Painter Stainers competition, National Art Open….. and has been shortlisted seven times to date.
In October 2012 his picture ‘The Bay’ was chosen for the Threadneedle Prize competition at the Mall Galleries, Central London.
In February 2013 his large drawing ‘Pentre Ifan’ was chosen for the Lynn Painter-Stainers Prize competition, The Mall Galleries, Central London.
In 2011 his biography was included in the Goldmark Gallery two volume publication of artist biographies:'British Artists Since 1945' by David Buckman. Curiously his, (as far as he was aware), entirely unknown large painting 'Hangliders' was listed by Buckman as a 'Major Work'.
In 2013 h...