John Knapp-Fisher

Gallery at Croesgoch, Pembrokeshire

Born| 2 August 1931[1]

London

Died| 21 February 2015 (aged 83)[2]

Haverfordwest, Wales

Education| Maidstone School of Art
Elected| Royal Cambrian Academy of Art
Website| www.johnknapp-fisher.com

John Knapp-Fisher (August 1931 – 21 February 2015) was a British painter known particularly for his depictions of the coast of Pembrokeshire, West Wales. He worked from his studio in Croesgoch since 1967.[3] He exhibited his paintings across Europe and also Africa and North America.[4] In 1992 he was elected a member of the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art.[5]

## Early life

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John Knapp-Fisher was born in 1931,[6] the son of Arthur Bedford Knapp-Fisher, Professor of Architecture at London's Royal College of Art.[7] John was educated at the Maidstone College of Art where he studied graphic design.[4] Subsequently he worked in exhibition design and theatre design, but also began painting. In 1965 he moved to Pembrokeshire, Wales.[4]

## Career

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Knapp-Fisher claimed he painted every day. "I tell students to do something every day – even if it’s a quick thumbnail sketch... Rather like a dancer has to practise every day, a painter has to oil the hinges by doing little drawings."[5] He preferred to paint from notes and drawings in his sketchbooks, rather than from photographs. As a result his favorite subjects were local to his studio, for example Porthgain Harbour.[5]

Knapp-Fisher's largest exhibition was in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he displayed over 60 paintings.[5]

To mark his 80th birthday in August 2011, Knapp-Fisher was featured on the BBC Radio Wales Arts Show.[3] He also held an exhibition of new paintings at the Martin Tinney Gallery in Cardiff.

## Personal life

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Knapp-Fisher once spent 5 years living on a boat in East Anglia.[5] He resided in Croesgoch with his partner, Gillian Pare.[4] Knapp-Fisher died at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest in February 2015 age 83.[8]

## References

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1. ^ The Times, 4th Aug 1931
2. ^ KNAPP-FISHER, John
3. ^ a b Laura Chamberlain Arts Show profiles John Knapp-Fisher, BBC Wales Arts, 3 August 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
4. ^ a b c d Karen Price 80th birthday exhibition for John Knapp-Fisher, Western Mail, 29 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
5. ^ a b c d e Karen Price Exhibition by artist John Knapp-Fisher, Western Mail, 31 October 2008. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
6. ^ Artist John Knapp-Fisher marks 80th birthday, BBC Wales News, 3 August 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
7. ^ John Knapp-Fisher website Home. Retrieved 2011-11-06,
8. ^ "Pembrokeshire artist John Knapp-Fisher dies aged 83". BBC News. 21 February 2015.

## External links

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* Official website
* The Guardian obituary

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF
* FAST
* WorldCat

National|

* United States