David Haughton

For the basketball player, see David Haughton (basketball).


David Haughton (1924–1991) was an artist. He spent his early childhood in India and later studied painting at the Slade School. He moved to Nancledra, near St Ives in 1947 where he became a member of the Penwith Society. He left Cornwall to teach at the Central School of Art and Design in London from 1951 to 1984.

After 'discovering' St Just whilst on a bicycle ride Haughton wrote: ‘The turning point in my life occurred when I first discovered the town of St Just. What happened to me on that spring day was inexplicable, but it was an experience that has, I believe, happened to a good many people. The mystics have found it impossible to describe in detail, and they use very generalized terms. But once one has experienced anything ... of that nature it is impossible to forget it. And unless one is quite unworthy of one’s human dignity one must live by it for the rest of one’s life. I have no idea what caused it, whether it really was the divine and transcendent visitation that it so clearly seemed to be or merely a freak of one’s chemistry. But I do know that it was all important and utterly beautiful, a trance that went beyond logic but never against it, and that I was at home and everything was mine, loving and tender, the landscape and houses a living thing.’ (David Haughton from a letter to Norman Levine)

John Halkes has written, "The excitement of St Just gripped David Haughton back in the late forties. He has spent the best part of thirty years painting and drawing there. Even when he left West Cornwall in 1951, to teach in London, he returned each year to work. Countless students who have been privy to his company on these visits have also been transformed by his insight and enthusiasm." (John Halkes, 1979 -from the catalogue DAVID HAUGHTON Paintings, drawings, prints 1948 - 1979 - Newlyn Art Gallery Sept/Oct 1979).

Selected one man exhibitions: Hilton Gallery Cambridge 1964; Newlyn Art Gallery, Newlyn (toured to Exeter, Cirencester and Sheffield) 1979; Work of Art Gallery. London 1983.

Selected group exhibitions: Crypt Gallery, St.Ives 1948; Penwith Gallery, St.Ives 1949-52; Piccadilly Gallery, 1965; Four Holistic Painters, Commonwealth Institute 1972; Tate Gallery, 1985.

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