When the Keighley-born George Frederick Demaine began his course at the Royal College of Art in 1914, he had reached an important cross-roads in his life. At 22 years of age he was a little older than most of the other first year students. And, from a working class background, his route to the Royal College had been different to many of the others around him. So in 1914 he had good reasons for pride in his achievements so far and optimism for the future.
However, there was a formidable obstacle blocking his path. In July that year Britain had declared war on Germany and by September the country was in a frenzy of activity. Men were joining the army in their tens of thousands. But George was not one of them – and nor would he be. As a committed Methodist he rejected war, refused to take any part in it, and was imprisoned as a Conscientious Objector. This experience, profound and traumatic as it was for him, was but just one chapter in his life, and the full story deserves to be told.
Cell at Mountjoy Prison, Dublin
George went on to become a talent artist and film set designer. His paintings were widely exhibited, including with the Royal Academy, and during WW2 he became a camouflage artist helping to protect vulnerable military and civilian targets in Britain from enemy bombing. He died in Dover in 1966.
Staithes, Yorkshire Coast
The book includes 20+ colour examples of his artwork, plus contemporary photographs and other colour and black and white illustrations.
The Thames, Chelsea Reach.
Self-published and a part of the ‘Not Just Hockney’ series: soft covers, A4 size, p.24, printed on good quality heavyweight card and paper. New. £7.00, includes UK postage costs.
Profit generated from sales of the book go to support the community-managed Silsden Town Hall.
To buy a copy of the book click here