John Tunnard: His Life and Work

Magnificent insects, rocks and the dry branches of trees, a fascination with the detailed design of fantastic constructions in deep space, all distinguish the work of the artist John Tunnard. Living in Cornwall for much of his life, Tunnard was an independent but key figure in the development of abstract art. He became a member of the London Group in 1934 and, on reading Herbert Read's book Surrealism, and under the influence of Miro, Klee, Masson and Tanguy, his work became partly surrealist, with elements of constructivism.This book is the first to examine in detail John Tunnard's career as an artist; it includes an extensive catalogue. With over 100 illustrations, more than 50 in colour, the book covers many of the known oils, gouaches, watercolours and mixed media works. A biography sets his work in the context of his life and times and is accompanied by a series of appendices listing important exhibitions, major galleries currently holding his work, and a guide to the coding system which Tunnard often added to his signature.