Andrew Lambirth

Like burst balloons after a party: the last paintings of John Hoyland

With their dark spaces and fragments of bright surface colour, there’s an element of cosmic drama in the late works, as a stunning new publication emphasises

‘Chasing Memories’ by John Hoyland. [Courtesy of ridinghouse/photo:colin mills] 
issue 28 August 2021

When the internationally acclaimed abstract painter John Hoyland died in 2011 at the age of 76, a large chunk of light, laughter and danger went out of the British art world. Hoyland, who was born in Sheffield and trained at the local art college before coming to London and the Royal Academy Schools, was a force to be reckoned with.

GIF Image

Disagree with half of it, enjoy reading all of it

TRY A MONTH FREE
Our magazine articles are for subscribers only. Try a month of Britain’s best writing, absolutely free.

Comments

Join the debate, free for a month

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first month free.

Already a subscriber? Log in