‘You had a tremendously good core of “old school” teachers, who taught traditionally, teaching the students drawing and painting work....So the students got a wonderful grounding in how to do it in a sort of traditional way, but there was also this sort of lively, younger group of teachers.’
- Sir Peter Blake.
The Walthamstow School of Art had been a part of the College since its establishment in 1938. Born from the 19th and early 20th century belief that technical education should be ‘instruction in the principles of science and art applicable to industries’,[1] the teaching of art was a fundamental part of the College’s curriculum.
The Walthamstow School of Art existed during a time when there was great change. This included politics, society, culture and education. As such, although the school had a relatively short lifespan, it had a profound impact on British art, fashion and film.
In 2017 the William Morris Gallery (Forest Road, Walthamstow) presented ‘Be Magnificent’, an exhibition on the Walthamstow School of Art. An accompanying brochure which explores the school’s golden years was also released and is available for purchase on the Gallery’s website. This book will provide only a brief overview of the Walthamstow School of Art.
The school’s golden era began in the late 1950s under the leadership of Head of Department Stuart Ray and continued through the 1960s during which time it was considered to be one of the top art schools in the country. Stuart Ray was a serious man and would have been quite intimidating to the students, many of whom he personally interviewed. It was his belief that talent should be the main principle on which a student should be accepted, not the quality of their former qualifications.
This view was unfortunately neutered when government reforms of the mid-1960s required students to have five O-Levels to enrol on a course, not just artistic talent. The school was also turned down by the National Council for Diplomas to teach the new diploma qualifications, a decision that sparked outcry from senior staff at the Royal College of Art as the Walthamstow School of Art had an unprecedented record for submitting successful candidates to the college. The days of freedom were coming to an end.
All the teachers at the School of Art were practising artists who often taught through practical rather than theory-based lessons. Although Stuart Ray was more conservative, he would encourage staff who were a little more free-spirited in their methods. On one occasion, upon smelling smoke, Ray investigated where the fire was coming from. William Green who had a maverick reputation was teaching his students how to set fire to their canvases. Ray’s response was, ‘Just make sure you keep the flames to below ten feet, Green.’
During the 1950s and 1960s London’s cultural scene was booming. The students attending the School of Art were undoubtedly influenced by the dramatic change in almost all aspects of social, business and cultural life which, in turn, fed their creativity. Some of the famous names who studied or taught at the School of Art include Peter Blake, pop artist; Terry Day, musician; Ian Dury, singer/songwriter; Marion Foale and Sally Tuffin, fashion designers; Ken Howard, painter; and Ken Russell, film director.
The Walthamstow School of Art was eventually merged into the North East London Polytechnic which became University of East London in 1992. It never formally closed but over the years its unique identity faded to obscurity.
References
UK Parliament, Technical Instruction Act 1889, London: HMSO, 1889, pp. 384-388, c.76.
William Morris Gallery, Be Magnificent: Walthamstow School of Art 1957-1967, London: Hali Publications Ltd., 2017.
Researched and written by Thomas Barden
