Description
Born into a dynamic community of acclaimed artists, Alec Forbes observed the lively social and professional lives of talented young men and women, including Laura Knight, Dod Shaw, Fryn Tennyson Jesse and Alfred Munnings. This, along with the example set by his parents, the renowned artists Elizabeth and Stanhope Forbes and the enlightened education he received at Bedales and later in London, where he became a promising architectural student, offered opportunities to observe urban life and he became aware of the iniquities of social deprivation and moulded his attitude towards work and gender equality.
His early ‘schoolroom’ was the rugged beauty of his native land. Here he developed his passion for exploring, sketching and writing. Though overshadowed by the illness and death of his Mother, bouts of depression and self-doubt, his short life was largely dominated by a ‘joie de vivre’, boundless optimism, ambition and his devout Christian faith. Having overcome illness, family machinations and stubborn authorities, he became one of the millions of men whose life was cut short be a war created by the ignorance of misguided patriotism.
Author: Andrew Gordon
