John Hoyland (b.1934 Sheffield, UK – d.2011 London, UK) was one of the most inventive and dynamic abstract painters of the post-war period. Over the span of more than a half-century his art and attitudes constantly evolved. A distinctive artistic personality emerged, concerned with colour, painterly drama, with both excess and control, with grandeur and above all, with the vehement communication of feeling. Collected here is a selection of Hoyland’s work showing his progression from the hard-edge works of the early 1960s through to the intensely subjective paintings that marked his final decade
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“There is no place for cynicism, only joy, passion and wonderment, clarity and eagerness.”
John Hoyland, Tate Gallery talk, 1994
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“Paintings are there to be experienced, they are events.”
John Hoyland, 1979
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“Painting should be a seismograph of the person.”
John Hoyland, 2006
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“Painting is the will and the whole self in harmony, without self-deception.”
John Hoyland, Tate Gallery talk, 1994
John Hoyland and Clyde Hopkins: The Wind Blows High in Space October 8 – November 14 Upsilon Gallery
The John Hoyland Estate are pleased to announce the upcoming exhibition at Upsilon Gallery The wind blows high in space, a two-person exhibitionbringing together paintings and works on paper by John Hoyland RA (1934–2011) and Clyde Hopkins (1946–2018). Curated by Philip Dodd, former Director of London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts, …
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John Hoyland: The Screen Prints, Eames Fine Art 8 October – 9 November 2026
This exhibition showcases works on paper drawn from the artist’s own planchests. A chance to see prints from across his career. Alongside gloriously vibrant editioned prints are sketches, colour variation trial proofs and beautiful early studies. 58 Bermondsey Street SE1 3UD
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Catalogue raisonné
If you own a painting by John Hoyland then please let us know. We’re compiling a complete catalogue of his paintings and need your help to track down those works in private hands.
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In the studio
Take a virtual tour of Hoyland’s sketchbooks and scrapbooks to find out more about how he worked.
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Spotlight on the archive
Read a fascinating interview from 1978 which reveals how Hoyland chose to deal with the legacy of Rothko
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