Bernard Kay, painter, printmaker and teacher. Kay was born and raised in Southport where his father owned a bicycle shop. He knew that he wanted to be an artist from the age of nine and his family supported that choice. After attending the Liverpool School of Art in 1943, he continued his stuadies at the Royal Academy School, 1947-8. He won a scholarship through the French Government to study under Johnny Friedlander at the Atelier Friedlander and the Academy Ranson in 1954 and 1955. It was his time in Paris through his scholarship that he met and mixed with many of the famous artists of the Paris art scene, including Maurice Esteve and Picasso. Lydia Corbett, Picasso’s “ponytail model” was a lifelong friend.
While in Paris, he studied the process of aquatint etching under the pioneering artist Johnny Friedlaender. It was during this time that he travelled throughout the French countryside and collected drawings that would form the basis for his architectural landscape paintings. Upon his return he began teaching at various art colleges including Southport, Wimbledon and Birmingham. During his years in London he was part of the “London Scene” being friends with David Hockney, Nicky Clarke etc. He focused on large canvases in an abstract expressionist tradition, before returning to landscape paintings worked in a structured style using an earthy, muted palette.
He began exhibiting his work from 1940, but also has exhibitions at St. Georges Gallery, 1953-63; Editions Alecto in 1963; Roland, Browse and Delanco from 1957-70, having two solo shows with them in 1960 and 1962. His work can be found in various public collections.
In the 1980s Bernard “migrated” to Oundle in Northamptonshire, where he lived until his death in May 2021.
BERNARD KAY
Felt-tip sketch. Marked, Perigueux 14.5.55 With sketchbook holes to top edge. 370x270mm.
SOLD
BERNARD KAY
KAY, BERNARD. Christmas card lists with sample cards 1965/66. Autograph lists of intended recipients.
£350.00
BERNARD KAY
KAY, BERNARD. Pen and brush ink sketch. Marked, Vallauris 15.6.’55.
£125.00
BERNARD KAY
KAY, BERNARD. Pen and brush ink sketch. Marked, Vallauris 24.6.’55 and signed
£125.00
BERNARD KAY
KAY, BERNARD. Pen and brush ink sketch. Marked, Golfe Juan 10.7.55.
£95.00
BERNARD KAY
KAY, BERNARD. Pen and brush ink sketch. Marked, Vallauris 8.7.’58. and signed.
£125.00
BERNARD KAY
KAY, BERNARD. Pen and brush ink sketch. Marked, Vallauris 16.6.’55. With sketchbook holes to top edge.
£85.00
BERNARD KAY
KAY, BERNARD. Pen and brush ink sketch. Marked, Vallauris 19.6.’55.
£85.00
BERNARD KAY
KAY, BERNARD. Two pen and brush ink sketches. Marked, Vallauris 29.6.’55.
£135.00
BERNARD KAY
KAY, BERNARD. Pen and ink sketch. Marked, Vallauris 15.6.’55. With sketchbook holes to top edge.
£75.00
BERNARD KAY
KAY, BERNARD. Pen and brush ink sketch. Marked, Vallauris 21.6.’55. With sketchbook holes to top edge.
£125.00
BERNARD KAY
KAY, BERNARD. Pen and brush ink sketch. Marked, Vallauris 16.6.’55. With sketchbook holes to top edge.
£125.00
BERNARD KAY
KAY, BERNARD. Pen and brush ink sketch. Marked, Vallauris 15.6.’55.
£95.00
BERNARD KAY
KAY, BERNARD. Pen and brush ink sketch. Marked 16.6.’55. With sketchbook holes to top edge.
£85.00
BERNARD KAY
Bernard Kay Pen and brush ink sketch of plant. Marked, Vallauris 19.6.’55. With sketchbook holes to top edge.
£85.00
BERNARD KAY
KAY, BERNARD. Pen and brush ink sketch of the First World War memorial statue. Marked, Vallauris 14.6.’55. With sketchbook holes to side.
£85.00
BERNARD KAY
KAY, BERNARD. Pen and brush ink sketch of a hotel interior with window. Marked, Vallauris 15.6.’55. With sketchbook holes to side.
£125.00
BERNARD KAY
Bernard Kay Felt-tip ink sketch. Marked, Vallauris 14.6.’55. With sketchbook holes to top edge.
£75.00
BERNARD KAY
Bernard Kay Felt-tip ink sketch. Marked 17.6.’55. With sketchbook holes to top edge.
£75.00
BERNARD KAY
Bernard Kay Felt-tip ink sketch (Vallauris 1955). With sketchbook holes to top edge.
£75.00
BERNARD KAY
KAY, BERNARD. Pen and brush ink sketch. Marked, Vallauris 16.6.’55 and signed.
£125.00
BERNARD KAY
Pen and brush ink. Marked Vallauris. 11.7’55.
£95.00
BERNARD KAY
Felt-tip and watercolour sketch. Marked Prés de Arles 5.6 ’55.
£135.00
BERNARD KAY
Felt-tip sketch. Marked Arles 2 Juin 1955. A sketch of a fighting bull in the arena.
£135.00
BERNARD KAY
Pen and brush ink. Marked, Tony, Kemmish. Vallauris 21.6.’55. Sketch of two of his companions.
£85.00
BERNARD KAY
Pen and brush ink. A portrait of Sylvette David. 1955.
SOLD
BERNARD KAY
Pen and brush ink. Vallauris 10.7.’55. A view in the hills.
£125.00
BERNARD KAY
Pen and brush ink. Marked, Vallauris 29.6.’55. A view over the harbour.
£165.00
BERNARD KAY
Pen and brush ink. Pencil sketch on three conjoined sheets. Circa 1955. 300x190mm.
£75.00
BERNARD KAY
Pen and brush ink. A jetty in the south of France. Signed and dated 1956.
£115.00
BERNARD KAY
Pen and brush ink. Sketch with colour crayon highlights. Marked Paris 29.3.55 Signed.
SOLD
BERNARD KAY
Pen and brush ink. Felt-tip sketch. Marked, Collioure 25.5.55 With sketchbook holes to top edge.
£85.00
BERNARD KAY
Pen and brush ink. Dinner at the hotel. With sketchbook holes to top edge. 380x270mm. On Lana Doucelles paper.
£85.00
BERNARD KAY
Pen and brush ink. Marked, Vallauris 8.7.55. Signed. 370x260mm. On Lana Doucelles paper.
£95.00
BERNARD KAY
Pen and brush ink. Marked, Golfe Juan 10.7.55. Signed. With sketchbook holes to top edge. 380x270mm. On Lana Doucelles paper.
£125.00
BERNARD KAY
Pen and brush ink. Marked, Vallauris 10.7.55. A view of the hotel terrace. With sketchbook holes to top edge. 380x270mm. On Lana Doucelles paper.
£125.00