An Artist Ahead of His Time

A joint retrospective Exhibition of the works of painter and printmaker, the late Peter Pretsell is currently showing at two locations in Edinburgh. The Edinburgh College of Art Sculpture Court Balcony and the Printmakers workshop in Union Street, Edinburgh, are the venues.

The overwhelming impression of the works on show is that of fun, irony and a fine sense of the absurd. I particularly liked his domestic scenes of suburban interiors in the 1970s as well as his “Come Dancing” series. He used unconventional materials making prints incorporating materials such as plastic netting and foam rubber.

Pointer 1987 screenprint by Peter Pretsell

His recurring themes were all involved with the hobbies, aspirations and lives of “ordinary people”. Those who knew him best described him as a spontaneous artist to whom drawing was a natural as breathing. The results are a lively social commentary with a vibrancy that is very attractive. He was also technically very assured and knowledgeable.

I met his widow, Philomena, herself an artist and potter at the opening. They met when she was a student of his. Peter and Philomena enjoyed a long and happy marriage, before his untimely death in 2004. She describes him as “A compassionate, serious person who liked to get his message across in a fun way.”

Peter Pretsell taught at Edinburgh College of Art as a lecturer in Printmaking and Drawing for 15 years before being made Head of Printmaking in 20000. He exhibited widely and won a number of prizes over the years. His work is represented in many notable public collections, which include the Victoria and Albert Museum, Scottish Arts Council, Edinburgh City Council and Inverness Art Gallery.

The Exhibition runs at both sites until 25 October 2008.