WHATLEY, Stephen B

1965 - ?

Stephen Beckett Whatley was born at Camberwell, London on 22 July 1965, son of James W. Whatley (1940-) and his wife Marjorie Joyce née Beckett (18 November 1943-5 August 1981), who married in Wickham Market, Suffolk in March 1963 and she was of 23 MacKenzie Drive, Kesgrave, Ipswich when, after a car accident, she tragically died in Ipswich Hospital. Stephen studied at the Ipswich School of Art 1981-1983 and at the Norwich School of Art 1983-1986, gaining a B.A. (hons) in Fine Art Painting. Whatley then studied at the University of London 1986-1987, qualifying with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education in Art and Design. A painter who specialises in expressionistic oil paintings such as cityscapes, landscapes, architecture, still life, portraits, and Christian works. He typically paints on location including commissions for Buckingham Palace to promote its Summer Opening 1999-2000 and Whatley's exterior view of the palace now hangs in Buckingham Palace and in 2000 was commissioned for some thirty works of in and around the Tower of London which are exhibited in the walkway to the Tower. Other commissions include Bush House, the former home of the BBC World Service, Broadcasting House, BBC Television Centre, Tate Gallery, Tate Britain, and Tate Modern and since 1992 has been honouring the anniversaries of architectural landmarks in London by painting them in their centenary years. In December 2008, 'Time' magazine editors selected his portrait of President Barack Obama which they published in the 'Person of The Year' issue 2008-2009 and the original is now in a private collection in London. Whatley has exhibited since 1983, including shows at the Institute of Contemporary Arts; the Lloyd's Building and London's Olympia Exhibition Arena, he has also had solo exhibitions at London's National Theatre in 1993 and at Cork Street, London in 2007 and his Diamond Jubilee portrait tribute of the late Queen Elizabeth II was exhibited at the Olympia International Art & Antiques Fair, London in 2012. Whatley portraits include many public figures including actors Dame Judi Dench, Susan Hampshire, Alec McCowen, Sir Ian McKellen, Barbara Windsor, Frances Barber, Prunella Scales, Julie Walters, Alison Steadman, actor and singer Helen Reddy, and Sian Phillips others included TV presenter Sarah Greene and barrister Michael Mansfield QC. Since around 2000 Whatley, who was born Anglican and converted to Roman Catholicism in 2011, his Christian faith has inspired him to paint numerous tributes to Catholic devotions. He lives at Forest Hill, Southeast London.
Website: https://www.stephenbwhatley.com

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Works by This Artist