David King, Justin Knowles, Lynne Moore, Peter Waldron, Ron Wilman

Serpentine South Gallery 22 Aug — 13 Sep 1970 Free

The fifth exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery presented the work of five young British artists.

Among the featured artists was Birmingham-born sculptor David King (b.1946), who had recently graduated from the Slade following a degree at Leeds College of Art.

Also included was Exeter-born Justin Knowles (1935-2004), who first came to prominence for his geometric abstract paintings and, later in life, for public art. He had taken part in the exhibition of emerging artists The New Generation at the Whitechapel Gallery in 1966. Writing about Knowles’ work at the Serpentine in Studio International in December 1970, fellow painter Patrick Heron observed: ‘The stainless steel and concrete sculpture with occasional planes painted in white acrylic – in a word the “dimensional painting” of Justin Knowles, seen at the Serpentine Gallery in August […] is eloquent, fertile and commands a sheerness of image that is absolutely masterly.’ Knowles’ career took a significant setback in 1973 when his studio burnt down, affecting him deeply.

Chelsea School of Art graduate Peter Waldron (b.1941) had been working as studio assistant to Patrick Caulfield prior to taking part in this exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery.

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