Designer Desire: John Cleal

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by West Wales Antiques (@westwalesantiques)

The recent image above from our friend Alistair at West Wales Antiques took us on a journey of discovery to find out more about John Cleal and his art.

South African-born John Cleal (1929-2007) worked as an illustrator and cartoonist in the newspaper industry during the 1950s and 1960s. He was, at one time, a partner in the London-based Henrion Design Associates.

In 1962, Cleal and his family settled in Fishguard eventually founding the Workshop Wales Gallery in Lower Town, Fishguard in 1970. It offered free studio, exhibition and retail space to up to 15 artists. In the 1990s, the gallery relocated to Manorowen and is currently being run by his son, Mitchell, also an artist.

In 2006, he gifted ‘Looking Up‘ (shown below) to Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest where he had earlier received care as a patient. It was one of many donations that he made to the Welsh health service.

We’ve embedded a few other examples of his work below that we’ve found online.

The magic of carving a solid block of stone or wood never ceases to amaze and excite me, I know the block contains the image but realising it is the magic and the mystery.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Visit Fishguard & Goodwick (@visit_fishguard)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Visit Fishguard & Goodwick (@visit_fishguard)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by RHS Partner Garden (@dyffryn_fernant_garden)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Castle Inn (@castleinnpembs)

'Looking Up' sculpture by John Cleal at Withybush HospitalLooking Up‘ at Withybush Hospital

'Juno' sculpture by John ClealJuno

Portrait of John Clealcredit

Additional image credits:
Geograph | MutualArt