HAYDON WILLIAMS DesRCA

Returning from the United States on a Royal College of Art Scholarship, I pursued a stimulating 40-year career as an International Design, Colour and Style Consultant.

Based in Mortlake, a historic area in South West London, the design team were located in a restored Thames riverside studio near the finishing post of the annual Oxford and Cambridge Universities Boat Race.

The consultancy had clients within a broad cross section of manufacturing industries and processes. Ranging across Decorative Interior Product, Automotive / Architectural Coatings, Ceramics, Sporting Goods, Cycles and Electrical Consumer Product. Geographically, clients were located in UK/Europe, Japan, Australasia, USA, South Africa and India. A very successful, demanding business. 

After retiring from consultancy work, I decided to concentrate on the creation and exhibition of artworks. In the work I explore photographic collages, paintings and three dimensional relief drawings.

Drawing is a core discipline within my practice, often exploring a ‘surreal’ or ‘fantasy’ element which is overlayered onto a specific location or event.
Currently my studio is close to the iconic Richmond Park in South West London. This has been a source of inspiration for much of my artwork.

Feel free to contact me. I welcome all enquiries and my works are all for sale, priced from a few hundred to a few thousand pounds (GBP).

2016–2026

A continuing approach to CREATIVITY and the DEVELOPMENT of Ideas. A compelling daily studio activity.

Developing NEW THEMES · Inspiration: BIRDS · INSECTS · SWARMING BUTTERFLIES · LANDSCAPE · TREES · BOTANICAL Subjects a continuing interest.

THEATRICAL experiences · TRADITIONAL PANTOMIMES are a new and surprising interest visually.

Experimenting with NEW TECHNIQUES and EFFECTS · SUBJECT MATTER: Cutting · Piercing and Folding: Layering Surfaces: Working on and within 3-D forms

Work shown in Association with WIMBLEDON FINE ART GALLERY in OUTER LONDON – Landscape collages.

Participated in competitive mixed GROUP SHOWS at ORLEANS HOUSE and RIVERSIDE GALLERIES · Exhibited at BRIDPORT TOWN GALLERY, DORSET.

2015–2016

Solo Exhibition: The RIVERSIDE GALLERY, RICHMOND – ‘THE SURGEON’S SCALPEL’ – OBSERVED and IMAGINED landscapes. Collages and paintings using the scalpel as a drawing tool Within a SURREAL mood several locations are in nearby RICHMOND PARK.

Foreign travels and experiences are explored.
Drawings follow Sci-Fi LITERATURE · VINTAGE FILM inspiration.

2013–2016

THE CANNIZARO HOUSE HOTEL · WIMBLEDON COMMON
LANDSCAPE paintings and drawings. Shown throughout interior public spaces.

Solo Exhibition: ‘UNIT 24’ – unusual location GUILDFORD STREET, close to TATE MODERN GALLERY ‘AN ARTIST OF THE THIRD AGE’ A mixed media show.
During the EVENING OPENING the ‘SHARD’ experienced a direct hit by lightning · a startling image with a pungent ‘OZONE’ smell.

2009–2013

Travelled extensively recording locations as PHOTOGRAPHS and DRAWINGS · RIVER and OCEAN trips.
Returned to Full Time CREATION · PROMOTION and EXHIBITION of ARTWORKS

2003–2009

Closed HAYDON WILLIAMS INTERNATIONAL LTD. Retired from COLOUR · DESIGN · STYLE consultancy practice

‘JOURNEYS’ a joint exhibition with ROWENA VESTEY (daughter) ‘THE LIGHT GALLERY’, PORCHESTER PLACE BAYSWATER · Mixed Media Collages and formed reliefs.

1995–2002

Extensive INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TRAVEL in Consultancy. Involved in PRESENTATIONS to EDUCATIONAL, MANUFACTURING and RETAIL GROUPS

Building collections of PHOTOGRAPHIC INSPIRATION to support DESIGN and ART activities.

Solo Exhibition: ‘NEWTON’S RINGS‘
The ‘SMALL ARTS MANSION’, GUNNERSBURY, WEST LONDON · PHOTOGRAPHS – printed and projected formats · Emphasis on COLOUR THEORY and COLOUR MOODS.

1983–1995

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES: Visiting EXTERNAL ASSESSOR on PRINTED TEXTILE DESIGN DEGREE COURSES · LIVERPOOL and LEICESTER COLLEGES OF ART. VISITING LECTURER on PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE at ST. MARTINS, WINCHESTER and CHELSEA COLLEGES of ART.

ROYAL SOCIETY of ARTS BURSARIES · Funded AWARD for AUTOMOTIVE TEXTILES and TRIM – Coordinated by HELEN AUTY, HEAD of RSA Design.

Founded HAYDON WILLIAMS INTERNATIONAL LTD COLOUR DESIGN and STYLE CONSULTANTS.
Diverse Client Base in UK, EUROPE, JAPAN and AUSTRALASIA.
Involvements in Manufacturing: INTERIOR TEXTILES AND FLOOR COVERINGS · AUTOMOTIVE COLOUR AND TRIM · CERAMICS · WALLCOVERINGS · LAMINATES · SPORTING GOODS · SURFACE COATINGS · WHITE GOODS · APPLIANCES

1970–1982

First SOLO ARTWORK EXHIBITION – DRIAN GALLERY PORCHESTER PLACE, BAYSWATER
Showed 3-DIMENSIONAL RELIEFS for the first time. Gallery founded by HALIMA NALECZ who encouraged young artists and subsidised shows.
Interest shown in my ‘SURREALIST’ work by DESMOND MORRIS, ZOOLOGIST and ARTIST · Published the book ‘THE NAKED APE’ a very challenging view of humans.

1966–1970

Return to SOUTHAMPTON on the LINER QUEEN ELIZABETH. Arrived in LONDON VICTORIA STATION on the day ENGLAND won the FOOTBALL WORLD CUP. The station was empty.

Visiting LECTURER at GUILDFORD and CROYDON Schools of ART. Created new 2-year course studying ‘SURFACE DECORATION’ – TEXTILES · FLOORING · WALLCOVERINGS

Based in LONDON · Continued FREELANCE DESIGN PRACTICE. Also working on artworks and reliefs.

Awarded 1st prize in ‘GILT EDGE’ Contract Carpet Competition.

Received ‘DUKE OF EDINBURGH’ DESIGN AWARD for HEAL’S CONTRACT FURNISHING FABRICS: ‘EXTENSION’ a geometric design inspired by Architectural Structures.
‘SUSPENSION’ influenced by BROOKLYN BRIDGE.

1965–1966

Travelled around the USA on GREYHOUND COACHES ‘99 Dollars for 99 Days’ – Spent time in SAN FRANCISCO mixing with the ‘HIPPIE DREAM’. Visited ALCATRAZ.

Climbed up the inside of the STATUE OF LIBERTY. Very basic interior. Looked out through the HEAD. Basic wooden stairs took you up into the TORCH ARM.

This all took place at the height of the VIETNAM WAR. Young men became ‘DRAFT DODGERS’ and escaped call-up in the USA MILITARY.

Visited key exhibitions at the ‘JEWISH MUSEUM’ showing influential young artists: ROY LICHTENSTEIN – influenced by COMIC BOOK imagery incorporating MECHANICAL PRINTING TECHNIQUES · JASPER JOHNS Inspired by FLAGS · MAPS and TARGETS ·ROBERT RAUSCHENBERG – the use of the ‘READY-MADE’ object with painted and collaged material, these later known as ‘COMBINES’
The artists were influential in what became known as ‘POP ART’ in the 60’s and into the 70’s.

Lived in MANHATTAN, ST. MARK‘S PLACE · Walk-up apartment in EUROPEAN Immigrant area. ‘FIVE SPOT JAZZ CAFÉ’ on the corner close to the BOWERY. Frequented by THELONIOUS MONK · JOHN COLTRANE and artists WILLEM DE KOONING and writers JACK KEROUAC AND ALAN GINSBERG

Sold wallpaper designs to KARL MANN (JACK LENOR LARSEN’S STUDIO)

Involved in DESIGN STUDIO: ‘PATTERN and PRINT’ near TIMES SQUARE. Designed large scale animal prints for FASHION GARMENTS – LEOPARDS BIRDS.

1962–1965

Graduated from RCA (1st Class Hons) in PRINTED TEXTILE DESIGN.

Awarded RCA PRIZE for 2-DIMENSIONAL DESIGN.

Granted ‘GULBENKIAN USA’ Travelling Scholarship.

Designed for the BREWER‘S EXHIBITION directed by LADY MARGARET AND SIR HUGH CASSON. Located in the ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART, KENSINGTON. Created ‘BAR OF THE FUTURE’ featuring ‘POP ART’ fabric images. Aluminium and Glass Fibre MURAL RELIEFS. Woven Carpets made by FIRTH CARPETS.

Scholarship at the ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART, LONDON
Specialisation: PRINTED TEXTILE DESIGN.
Tutors: HUMPHREY SPENDER – Photographer · Painter · Printmaker · Designer; JOHN DRUMMOND, SENIOR LECTURER – Fabric Designer.

Exhibited at ‘YOUNG CONTEMPORARIES 1962’ SHOW · Upcoming Artists · Work sold to young LONDONER.

1958–1962

Attended LOUGHBOROUGH COLLEGE of ART in LEICS. Specialised in the DESIGN of PRINTED TEXTILES. Also studies in CARPETS · WALLCOVERINGS and DECORATIVE LAMINATES. Continued PAINTING Projects.

Gained INTERMEDIATE DIPLOMA in ART and NATIONAL DIPLOMA in DESIGN. LCA DESIGN DIPLOMA.

Won INTERNATIONAL CARPET DESIGN COMPETITION.

Influential tutors: BRYAN ORGAN – British Portrait Painter, known for ROYAL PORTRAITS; BRIDGET RILEY – ‘OP ARTIST’ a strong approach to drawing and the use of COLOUR STRUCTURES.

1954–1958

Attended LUTTERWORTH GRAMMAR SCHOOL, LEICS.
Developed ITALIC handwriting style · Applied to ART SCHOOL after leaving secondary school.

1947

Junior School · BRAUNSTONE, LEICS · Interest in ART and CALIGRAPHY · Won various JUNIOR PRIZES.

1942

Born in SOUTHAMPTON, HAMPSHIRE · Evacuated to LEICESTERSHIRE during WORLD WAR II

Artist and Designer of the Third Age