Francis Davison

Francis Davison (1919–1984) is known for abstract collages constructed from torn and layered paper. Working without preparatory drawings and refusing to title his works, he developed a highly individual language based on colour, shape, balance and the physical qualities of his materials.

Born in Cannes, Davison was sent to England in 1932 to attend St George’s School in Essex, where he met Patrick Heron, who became a lifelong friend. He later studied English and Anthropology at St Catherine’s College, Cambridge, and was a conscientious objector during the Second World War. Through Heron he met the artist Margaret Mellis, whom he married in 1948. After periods in St Ives, London and the south of France, they settled at Syleham in Suffolk in 1950, before moving to Southwold in 1975.

Davison initially painted and drew, but in 1952 abandoned painting in favour of collage. His early works used a restricted palette of browns and greys, often on Essex board, with pieces of paper layered to create dense areas of colour and simplified geometric forms. He tore rather than cut his papers, and after abandoning the rectangular boards in the early 1960s his collages became increasingly varied in shape, scale and colour. Found and discarded papers, envelopes and fragments were repeatedly torn, overlaid and reassembled, while brighter colours became increasingly prominent during the 1960s and 1970s.

Recognition came relatively late. Davison was selected by William Packer for the first British Art Show in 1979, and solo exhibitions followed at Graves Art Gallery, Sheffield, in 1981, MOMA Oxford in 1982 and the Hayward Gallery, London, in 1983. The Hayward exhibition was later recalled by Damien Hirst as having made a powerful impression on him.

Following Davison’s death in 1984, The Redfern Gallery held a retrospective in 1986, accompanied by an essay by Patrick Heron. Further exhibitions have included Francis Davison: Collages and Early Works at Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge, in 2007–08, Francis Davison: Collages at The Redfern Gallery in 2017–18, and Structure and Colour: Collages 1952–84 at The Redfern in 2020. His work is held in public collections including Tate, the Arts Council Collection, the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, Museums Sheffield and the National Library of Australia.

The Estate of Francis Davison is represented by The Redfern Gallery.