William Brooker 1918-1983 (BAA 1949-53) Born in Croydon, Surrey. 1936-39 Croydon School of Art. 1944-46 served Army. 1947-48 Chelsea School of Art. 1948- 49 Goldsmiths, College of Art. Began teaching BAA (introduced to Clifford Ellis by Kenneth Armitage). Shared house with Wynter and later Frost. His students included Howard Hodgkin: ‘He was the only real teacher I ever had . . . he made one feel that painting was a very important occupation. Quite unique. No one else seemed a bit like that. He was a great teacher.' * Exhibited with London Group from c.1950. 1952 went to Cornwall with William Scott, visited Terry Frost who joined staff at BAA that year. 1953 became Head of Painting at Willesden School of Art; studio in Chelsea. First of several one-man exhibitions Arthur Tooth and Son (until 1975). 1958 Senior Lecturer in Painting Harrow School of Art and at Ealing School of Art from 1960. 1965 became Senior Lecturer Central School of Art and Design. 1969-81 Principal Wimbledon School of Art. 1972 moved to Carshalton, Surrey. 1979 first one-man exhibition Thos. Agnew & Sons. 1980 elected ARA. 1987 Retrospective Newcastle Polytechnic (toured to Agnews). * William Brooker Retrospective Newcastle Polytechnic, Howard Hodgkin in introduction by Nick Wadley, 1987 13 Still Life with palette 1952 oil on canvas 18 x 24 inches signed and dated Provenance: G. R. Kennerley Esq Courtesey: Thos. Agnew & Sons 14 Concert in the Long Gallery, Corsham Court (unfinished) oil on canvas 18 x 24 inches Provenance: A. A. Wilkinson Esq Courtesy: Thos. Agnew & Sons