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Ernest
Pascoe
1923-1996
Obituary - Ernest Pascoe DFA (Lond), FRBS, RWA by Jerry
Hicks MBE, DFA (Slade), RWA.
Ernest Pascoe, the distinguished artist and lecturer, died after a short
illness on Saturday 21St September 1996. His artistic influence,
especially in Bristol, has been immense.
After serving in the RAF during the warp he completed his art training
at the Slade School of Art from 1945 to 1948. Ernest was an outstanding
student, winning many prestigious prizes including the Wilson
Steer Medal for Painting, the Henry
Tonks Prize for Drawing and the Robert
Ross Scholarship.
He benefited from eminent visitors such as Henry
Moore, Stanley Spencer
and Reg
Butler, and particularly from his life long friendship
with the Head of Sculpture, Professor
Gerrard.
Ernest Pascoe was appointed, in 1948 to the staff of the West of England
College of Art. In 1955 he became Head of Sculpture and Vice Principal.
In 1969 the West of England College of Art became a Faculty of the newly
formed Bristol Polytechnic. From 1972 until his retirement, he was Head
of Fine Art. (now University of the West of England). Throughout his
long career he maintained a life long commitment to teaching Art in
Bristol to the highest National Standards within Higher Education. The
wide breadth of his own talent was reflected in the encouragement and
friendship he gave unstintingly to colleagues and students alike.
Ernest was equally dedicated to his own artistic endeavours and the City
of Bristol has been enriched by many fine examples of his work. Many
well known public and private commissions include carvings of 'The
Three Kings' for the Tudor Chapel at Christmas
Steps, Heraldic Coats of Arms for the Bristol Royal Infirmary and a
remarkable Crucifixion, 'Christ in
Glory' for St Augustine, Whitchurch. His work also
includes an abundance of carved lettering and restoration work for
Bristol churches and the City Museum and Art Gallery. He was a member of
the 'Bristol Mummy'
- Horemkenesi
team and was responsible for the reconstruction of the head. Ernest
Pascoe has for many decades continued a tradition of artistic excellence
locally which has inspired many of his students.
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Ernest
Pascoe
'Donald Milner, OBE, ARCA, PPRWA 1974-78'
(bronze)
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Ernest
Pascoe
'Elsie'
(RWA Collection)
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Ernest
Pascoe
'Bernard Dunstan, RA, PPRWA 1979-83'
(bronze)
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For a considerable number of years Ernest Pascoe was instrumental in the
management and organisation of the Royal West of England Academy where
he was also a Trustee for some years. He exhibited regularly paintings,
both Figurative and Abstract, also sculptures including a series of
bronze portraits of successive Presidents, such as Lord
Methuen,
Donald Milner and
Bernard Dunstan. Together with his
wife, Jean Pascoe, he
cultivated a great feeling of camaraderie amongst the members.
As a well established portrait artist Ernest was also commissioned by
famous institutions including Madame
Tussaud's to produce portraits of renowned
International personalities such as President
Nixon, Robert Kennedy,
King Olaf, Johahn Cruyff,
David Frost, Tony Jacklin
and many others.
Ernest will be sadly missed by his devoted wife, four daughters and
grandchildren to whom he has been a constant inspiration. He will be
remembered by friends, colleagues and students with respect and
affection. Ernest Pascoe dedicated his entire life to Art and this was
central to his philosophy and for his continuing spirit of the
Renaissance he transmitted to his students and daughters who work as
artists and teachers. Ernest had a great love of life, a wonderful sense
of humour, a profound belief and unfaltering optimism. |
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