tribute to John Ridger

The Eye Arts Guild remembers and misses John Ridger who died in February aged 95.

John had been a founder member of the Eye Arts Guild where he and his wife Cynthia May met over 25 years ago. The EAG has benefited so much from their presence and contributions through the years.  We will miss John very much, especially on the lovely days out painting in the summer, though Cynthia promises that she will be there to wave the flag as soon as we recommence our plein air activities and summer programme in May.

John was a talented painter and draughtsman.  He was unable to go to full time art school when in his twenties he expressed such an ambition.  There was a war to get over and “serious” work to be done. Throughout his life, however, he took lessons and attended courses.  As a result of assiduous attention to working in a variety of media he produced not only beautiful paintings and drawings, but three dimensional pieces: pottery, carved wood and papier-mâché.  Even a gorilla, though Cynthia says that now he is not the gorilla he used to be!​

He also wrote his memoir “The Time in Between”, published in 2014, largely with his family in mind but a delightful read; both insightful and humane, for anyone lucky enough to find a copy of this limited edition publication.  (A very few copies are still available to buy, the funds going by John’s request to The Bank, Eye.)
​

A portrait of John by his wife, Cynthia May

1.  The pot he made recently at The Bank's pottery classes.  He so thoroughly enjoyed the experience of learning all the new skills involved: designing, making, painting, firing and glazing.
2.  The carved wooden madonna and the child hewn from a fallen tree he found locally.
3.  Also one of the three dimensional works made latterly for amusement which are redolent of his sense of fun and endless creativity.

​

With happy memories of John working with us on Thursday mornings, we have selected some of John's drawings created at EAG sessions, as well as a few of his many paintings.  Click here to go to John's page on the Gallery.