Biography for Michael Chase (1915 - 2001)

Early Life

Born Oliver Michael Chase Wandsworth, London on 1 August 1915,  Chase attended evening classes at Hornsey Central and Chelsea Schools of Art.

It waw only after his service as an officer in the army during the Second World War, when he became a trainee in a firm interior decorators that his artistic career really began. he later became involved with working the Zwemmer Art Gallery in Kensington 1954-1965, and later and of the Minories, Colchester 1966-1974. 

He was when in close contact with many leading artists, such as John Piper, Michael Rothenstein, Edward Bawden, John Nash, Winifred Nicholson amongst others along with being an avid art collector himself. He also gave Australian painter Arthur Boyd,his first London showing.

Later Life

It was only later in life aged 76 that he took up painting more seriously, generally working in watercolour. 

came fromHis inspriation trips to France, Italy, Greece, and Egypt as well as England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. He also gained success,  exhibiting at the Royal Academy and mixed shows including the Colchester Art Society. He also won the Barcham Green Company award at open exhibition at Bankside Gallery in 1986.

Selected Solo Exhibitions

included The Minories, Colchester in 1981, Clare Hall, Cambridge in 1992, the John Russell Gallery, Ipswich 1994 and Chappel Galleries, Essex in 1996. His thrid wife was the artist Valerie Thornton