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£6,000

Presentation: Mounted
SN: 3549
Gouache
Signed and dated
20 3/4 x 28 1/3 in.

Josh Kirby is today best known for his illustrations to Terry Pratchett's Discworld books, giving him a cult status in the realm of fantasy illustration. He studied art at the Liverpool City Society of Art in 1943 and in the same year was evacuated to South Wales to avoid the heavy bombing of his native city. Kirby was 15 years old when he painted this remarkable image.

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Josh Kirby 1928-2001

Artist in oil, watercolour and occasionally gouache, born in Waterloo, Liverpool, as Ronald William Kirby. He attended Liverpool City School of Art, 1942-9, teachers including Martin Bell, Will C Penn, George Jardine, Alfred Wiffen and Allan Tankard. Kirby's influences "were Brueghel, Bosch and Brangwyn. I aim to continue the classical tradition and avoid the fads and fashions of the moment. I would like to preserve a sense of wonder in a world obsessed with materialism." This found expression in his The Voyage of the Ayeguy, latterday altar-pieces in science fiction mode. As a science fiction book illustrator, Kirby was noted for his Ray Bradbury and Terry Pratchett jackets. Kirby had periods painting in a film poster studio in London and freelanced briefly in Paris. Was a member of the Association of British Picture Restorers. Group exhibitions included Portal Gallery, Bluecoat Chambers in Liverpool, ICA and Brighton Art Gallery. Solo shows included DLI Museum & Durham Art Gallery, 1995. Duke of Bedford at Woburn Abbey holds Kirby's work. Lived at Shelfanger, Diss, Norfolk.