On leaving college,
he became apprenticed to a Master Painter and Gilder, and once again attended
the Medway College of Art during his apprenticeship, gaining a First-Class
Distinction in his studies.
During National
Service in the British Army, Denton kept up his passion with the arts,
completing a number of commissions and utilising his skills in such projects
as the decoration of the Battalion Church.
On the completion of
his National Service in 1954, Kenneth Denton set up in business as a
Decorative Artist. During this period he also furthered his education in
design, gaining Fellowship of the British Institute of Interior Designers, and
The Chartered Society of Designers. He did not neglect his true passion of oil
painting, his work was to be seen in exhibitions frequently, including world
renowned Bond Street, London.
In 1960, Denton’s
expertise in the interior design and decorative arts, led to time first of
several teaching posts, at Maidstone College of Art. He was subsequently to
teach at his old College as well as the Royal School of Military Engineering;
eventually being appointed Examiner to the City and Guilds Institute of
London.
Whilst this was a
very busy period in Kenneth’s life, he had started a family after his
marriage to Margaret Nesbitt, in 1956; it also saw the continued development
of his skill with the brush. He begun to devote all his spare time to
painting, and found his technique was developing and maturing constantly.
Kenneth Denton paintings became sought after: Corporations and Statesman alike
began to commission him to paint. In 1969, encouraged by his increasing
success as a painter, he took the decision to concentrate fully on painting
and turned professional.
There can be no
doubt that this decision by Denton has benefited all of those who patronise
the arts, be it collectors or admirers. Kenneth Denton has become one of the
leading artists that Great Britain has produced this century.
Kenneth Denton has
been recognised with such accolades as the highly selective and sought after
membership of THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF MARINE ARTISTS as well as FELLOWSHIP OF THE
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ARTS and INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY MARINE PAINTERS.
He has been awarded
prizes including the HUNTING GROUP AWARD for best painting in the exhibition
as voted by the visitors. Denton has appeared on Television, his work has been
subject to critical acclaim and examination by scholars, on programmes such as
British Broadcasting Corporations “Open University”. He has become the
subject of articles in magazines and is listed in many books, including
“Who's Who and “Debretts”.
To all those who
have the pleasure of a painting by Denton on their wall, whether in the
boardroom or home, there is without doubt, a satisfaction in being able to
participate in the career of an artist who, will surely be remembered as one
of the outstanding painters of his time. An artist who has inspired others to
write of him:
“A
painter of superb ability. His lyrical handling of pastoral scenes and marine
subjects is in a class of its own with generous emphasis on sky design, and
mature, rich and sonorous colour.”
“When one sees examples of Kenneth Denton ‘s Landscapes, one wonders
why so much attention is given to the Victorian Artists at the expense of
latter-day painters”
“Kenneth Denton is clearly an artist formidable talent and superb
craftsmanship.”
Kenneth Denton
now lives in an old farmhouse in Norfolk, amidst the countryside that is
brought to life in his paintings. It is here in his studio that he explores
and develops, the ideas that begin on his frequent trips throughout Europe and
North America.
Biographia
Born 20th
August 1932. Chatham, Kent, England.
MEMBER:
ROYAL SOCIETY OF MARINE ARTISTS
(COUNCIL)
MEMBER:
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF MARINE PAINTERS
MEMBER: EAST
ANGLIA GROUP OF MARINE ARTISTS
FELLOW: ROYAL SOCIETY OF ARTS
FELLOW: BRITISH
INSTITUTE OF INTERIOR DESIGN
FELLOW: THE
CHARTERED SOCIETY OF DESIGNERS
WINNER: HUNTING GROUP ART AWARD
Exhibitions:
Over 40 solo exhibitions throughout Europe and the United States of America
Venues in London;
Amsterdam; Stutgart; Wimbledon; Thames Ditton; York; Cheltenham; Norwich;
Croydon;
Rochester; Frinton; Chatham; Eastbourne; Tunbridge Wells; San Francisco;
Philadelphia; Seattle; Palm Springs; Chicago; Vancouver B.C.; Michigan;
Harrogate; Newbury Spring Festival
One of only two
artists from Great Britain chosen to participate in celebration of 300th
anniversary of the worlds oldest yacht club - The
Royal Netherlands Yacht Club.
Private
Collectors include:
Former
Prime-minister The Right Honourable Edward Heath M.P.; British Vice Consul to Washington
D.C. Sir Anthony Jackson and Lady Jackson; Sir Kenneth Robson; The Honourable Godrey
St Clair Watson Esq; USA Apolo XII Astronaut Pete Conrad; other Sports
and Entertainment Figures, Diplomats and Statesmen
Museums
·
The National Maritime
Museum, Greenwich, London,
·
Littlehampton Museum,
Sussex, England,
·
Laren Museum, Amsterdam,
Holland,
·
National Maritime Museum,
Mystic Seaport, Connecticut, U.S.A.
Corporate
and Institutional Collectors include:
Midland Bank Plc;
Trustee Savings Bank Plc; The Hollywood Club of Los Angeles; Grants of St
James; Importers Ltd; British Sislecraft; Nuffield Hospitals; Blue Circle;
Ocean Containers; Corps of the Royal Engineers; Medway Ports Authority;
Nicholson, Chamberlain, Coils Group; Gasgoine-Pees Ltd, Edward Erdman Ltd, The
Royal Netherlands Yacht Club, The Royal Aeronautical Club,
London.
