Brian Catling RA, the multi-media artist especially known for his performance pieces, sculpture and installations, as well as his egg tempera portraits, has passed away aged 74.
Over the course of his career he exhibited internationally, including solo installations and performances in a variety of countries including Spain, Japan, Iceland, Israel, Denmark, Holland, Norway, Germany, Greenland, Australia and the USA.
Most recently, Catling’s novella ‘Earwig’ was adapted by French filmmaker Lucile Hadžihalilović. The BFI described it as ‘one of the most anticipated films of 2021’.
Explaining his work, Catling said: “I am obsessively engaged in the collision of separate activities that sometimes fuse together in a hybrid event – they being the writing of poetry, the constructing of sculptural installation and the action of performance.”
Catling taught at the Ruskin School of Art for over two decades, before becoming the school’s Emeritus Professor and a fellow of Linacre College.
He described teaching as “an essential element of my imaginative spectrum. Being a reflector to others’ potential and talent is a privilege and a challenge, and it helps to keep me sane.”
Commenting on Catling’s passing, a-n CEO Julie Lomax said: “I first came across Brian Catling and his work when I was a student at Chelsea School of Art in the 1980s. I’m not sure I understood it at the time but I certainly enjoyed Brian’s devilish and very clever humour! When I was delving into the a-n archive for the 40th anniversary I read an article from 1983 penned by Brian describing his Henry Moore Fellowship at Norwich School of Art and I quote ‘controversy is part of my function as the fellow but it is secondary to the production of a healthy and dynamic dialogue’ it made me smile and this is how I remember Brian, always controversial and always happy to engage with students. I am saddened by his recent passing but forever grateful to him, a true artist.”
Catling was recently interviewed as part of a-n’s 40 Years 40 Artists anniversary celebrations in 2020. He reflected on his career, looking back on an interview he gave to Artist Newsletter in April 1983. When asked what are the key changes for artists starting out now, he commented:
“I think things are harder than ever now. With voices of academic control, and insecure containment agreeing to re-brand fine art into tame illustration for media fodder. I totally believe in art schools and encourage all in them to surprise themselves with themselves.”
He was also asked if he had any advice for his younger self, 40 years on. Catling replied: “I have no advice to my younger self, all I have to say is: “Those were powerful and generous days and you were bloody lucky.”
Top image: Brian Catling performing Ancient of Days, 1980s
