Jacqueline Stanley, HRHA, ARCA, (1928-2022) sadly died December 2022 after an eventful life. She was a prolific artist who had work in the Rye Art Gallery (RAG) from its inception in the 1960’s. More recently she was part of the special 65th anniversary exhibition ‘Colony’ in the summer of 2022. There were many visitors, local and from London, who appreciated Jacqueline’s work enough to buy quite a few pieces.
She was born in Camberwell, London, and there is no doubt that she must have experienced great hardship between the wars. However, post war changes was beneficial for Jacqueline as council grants were available and she was able to get a full time scholarship to study at Beckenham. Just before the turn of the 1950s she acknowledged that her teachers were one of the greatest pioneers in art education (Lucienne and Robin Day, Carol Weight, Ruskin Spear) who encouraged her to apply to the Royal College of Art (RCA). Jacqueline continued her art studies with the above teachers and on occasions with Frances Bacon.
Jacqueline met her husband Campbell Bruce (RCA) and they eventually moved to Egerton House in Kent. Many paintings of that period were featured in ‘Colony’ and the move from stark, dark London scenes turned into brightly coloured fields of rainbows and orchards which were greatly admired in the show. She was able to be present which was exciting for her and visitors. Jacqueline and Campbell eventually moved to Ireland where they continued their creativity between 1975 – 1990.
“With a strong CV and a natural aptitude for drawing and painting, Jacqueline went on to win many prizes and worked around the world producing not just paintings but also prints which feature in our current show, ‘Art of British Printmaking, 1970’. Her skill is forever present and its echo will be omnipresent for all who view or own her work. I for one, will miss her, not only part of her work but her personality. All in the gallery offer our love and sympathy to the Stanley/Bruce family.” (Louise Simkiss-Day, RAG Trustee)
Image Credits: John Cole / Rye Art Gallery , Rye Art Gallery/Jason McGhee .