FRANK SPEARS

Frank Spears – The Painter                                                            ISBN  978-0-620-62207-3

In 1928 a young English designer arrived by boat in Table Bay aged 22 not knowing that the next 40 years of his life would be spent in South Africa. Commissioned by his family to honour his memory and legacy, Frank Spears – The Painter is a visual biography of this versatile, talented and well-liked South African painter, who made valuable contributions in many fields. 

Described as a Renaissance man, and imbued with tremendous energy, Frank Spears lived an artistic, creative and full life. Frank Spears - The Painter traces his humble beginnings in Birmingham, before immigrating to Cape Town. It explores his incredibly full life as a successful businessman, original yacht designer of the Spearhead and Andy dinghies, actor and playwright, singer and broadcaster. Weaved throughout the fabric of his life however was his strict discipline to the craft of painting and his life-long devotion to his wife of almost 60 years, the poet, Dorothea Spears. Frank Spears held his first solo exhibition in the Cape in 1935 and many group and solo exhibitions followed including some overseas. Recognising his talent, his art was selected to represent South Africa at the Sao Paul Biennial (1963) and Venice Biennale (1966). He was well-liked and continued to enjoy personal friendships with his contemporary artists who comprised the big names of the South African art world even after his return to England upon his retirement. 

The quality reproductions of his paintings will bring much pleasure to his admirers and those being introduced to his artwork for the first time. Drawing on original archival material and research, Frank Spears – The Painter, examines the life and changing influences on the work of this mystical painter. With an introduction by Hayden Proud of the South African National Gallery this book recognises the unique and lasting contribution made by Frank Spears to the South African art scene.