Fred Yates

Born in 1922, Fred Yates grew up in Urmston, a suburb of Manchester. His career as an insurance clerk was cut short by the outbreak of war and he served in the Grenadier Guards until 1945 when he returned to Manchester as a painter and decorator.

Fred began painting the rich industrial landscape of Manchester, the terraced rows with its inevitable street life, full of commotion and humour. Fred enrolled in a teacher training course in Bournmouth and in 1950 won a traveling scholorship to Rome and Florence.

In 1969 Fred gave up teaching and moved to Cornwall where he devoted his energy to painting, he never forgot about his Manchester beginnings though and painted many pieces from his memory as well as the surrounding landscapes and people of the South West.

Fred is then pursued his painting in France where he caught street life alongside the vibrant colours of the landscape. He often moved house to seek out new and exciting places to paint.

His paintings are included in many private and public collections including Brighton and Hove Art Gallery, Liverpool University, the University of Warwick, Torquay Art Gallery and Russell Coates Gallery Bournemouth.

Fred Yates suddenly passed away on the 7th July 2008, he will be sadly missed by everyone.