Tom Wanless RBA ROI

Tom Wanless RBA ROI

Born in 1929, Tom Wanless was educated at Washington Grammar School and then qualified as a teacher at Durham University before completing 2 years national service with the RAEC in Kenya. On his return he studied painting and printmaking at Sunderland College of Art. Later he completed advanced studies as a post-graduate at the University of Wales and Bristol University.

He enjoyed a long career working at many levels in art education including appointments as the external examiner for degree courses at a number of universities and colleges. He finished his lecturing career in Leeds as Head of Art at the City of Leeds and Carnegie College, and then in 1976 was appointed Co-ordinator for the Creative Arts at Leeds Polytechnic (Leeds Metropolitan University).

In 1989, he retired to concentrate on his own work as a full time artist. The quality of his work was immediately recognised at the Mall Galleries and was elected as a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and the Royal Society of British Artists in quick succession. Recent awards include the Cornelissen and Roberson prizes of the ROI, the Charles Pears prize of the RSMA and the Sir William Ramsay School prize of the RBA. His work has also been selected for the final of the Singer / Friedlander Watercolour Competition on 8 occasions and finalist in the Laing Art Competition.