Gerard Wilson, a British sculpture educator, has died aged 81. He profoundly reshaped British sculpture education by advocating for broader, more conceptual understandings of sculpture, embracing performance, installation, non-traditional materials, and interdisciplinary thinking. He was known for his support of female artists and his quiet intellect and generosity.
Gerard Wilson obituary
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Gerard Wilson, a British sculpture educator, has died aged 81. He profoundly reshaped British sculpture education by advocating for broader, more conceptual understandings of sculpture, embracing performance, installation, non-traditional materials, and interdisciplinary thinking. He was known for his support of female artists and his quiet intellect and generosity.
- 1 1944: Born in Balsham, Cambridgeshire.
- 2 1973: Met Jennie Read in Brighton.
- 3 2008: Retired from teaching.
- 4 2017: Married Jennie Read.
- 5 Recently (prior to June 8, 2025): Died aged 81.
- Profoundly reshaped British sculpture education.
- Influenced numerous artists, including Helen Chadwick and Thomas J Price.
- Left a legacy of intellectual openness, generosity, and support for diverse artistic practices.
- Challenged patriarchal traditions and narrow definitions of artistic value in the field.
What: The death of Gerard Wilson, a British sculpture educator who significantly influenced and reshaped British sculpture education.
When: Gerard Wilson died recently, aged 81 (obituary published June 8, 2025).
Where: Born in Balsham, Cambridgeshire. Studied at St Joseph’s college in Upper Norwood, south London, Norwich, and Brighton Art College. Lectured at Brighton and Chelsea art colleges, Royal College of Art, the Slade, Central St Martins, and Falmouth. Exhibited in London (Serpentine, ICA) and Birmingham (Ikon gallery).
Why: Natural causes (implied by obituary).
How: Through his teaching and advocacy, he promoted conceptual art, non-traditional materials, and interdisciplinary thinking in sculpture. He provided vital encouragement to female artists in a traditionally exclusionary environment, opening doors for students to articulate their own artistic preoccupations.