It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of John Ivor on the 1st July 2017 in Co Antrim.
He studied at Belfast College of Art 1956-60, Reading University for his ATD in 1960, and later the Cardiff College of Art for his ADAE 1973-74. He was a founder member of the Society of Botanical Artists 1982, and was elected a member of the Pastel Society in 1987. He won the Major Prize as a non-member in 1986 and twice again as a member in 1992 and 1997.
In his time as a member of our Society, he served as Honorary Treasurer and Membership Secretary, and was elected President 2009-12, and until this year was the Education Officer. He retired from full-time teaching Art at Frensham Heights in 1990.
Despite increasing ill health and surgery he continued to play a vigorous role in the Societies activities and made frequent trips to France were he helped to encourage liaison with the French Pastel Society. He won the 'Grand Prix de Peinture X1e Festival European des Art et de La Poesie' at La Seine-sur-Mer, Var, Provence in 1999.
His paintings in the Societies exhibitions were un-inhibited and full of passion, showing his admiration for women and his love of flowers. In conversations he often expressed sadness at the disengagement from the voluptuousness in certain aspects of British art.
He was pre-deceased by his wife Jenny with whom he grew his garden and collected paintings and ceramics.
Born in Northern Ireland in July 1936, he returned to Co Antrim to die July 2017
