Manchester artist Harry Ousey believed the only way to express the true atmosphere of nature was through abstraction. He produced a large body of watercolours, dramatic oils and collages many of which are in public and private collections in the U.K. and across Europe.

He painted the moors and quarries of the Peak District becoming a member of the Manchester Art Group in 1947. He moved to St. Ives in the 1950s to take inspiration from the sparkling sea and rugged coastline.

Whilst in Cornwall his first solo show took place at London’s Lincoln Gallery in 1962, followed by others in the capital’s Galleries.

Harry, and his wife Susie, led a nomadic life enabling him to paint throughout the U.K. but in 1976, convinced his paintings were not understood here, he moved to France where he believed his work would appeal to a European audience.

They lived and worked in their VW camper van before settling in Aix-en-Provence. Following in the footsteps of Cezanne, his paintings of this period were inspired by the atmosphere of Mont St. Victoire. That inspirational view became his final resting place upon his death in 1985.

Biography courtesy of the artist’s estate.