HOPES, Rex Frederick, ARWA.*

Rex Hopes was born in Bristol in 1890. His earliest claim to fame was that he was brought into this world by Dr. W. G. Grace, the famous cricketer. A natural artist, he applied his talents window dressing for Austin Reed Ltd., later transferring to their London store in Oxford St. Whilst in London he studied art in the evenings at several schools including the Slade. Later he returned to Bristol and jointly with his wife opened a private school for girls, first at Redland and then at Langford for 6 years and finally at Winterbourne. He was a member of the Fabian Society and a very good poet, contributing to various local poetry journals which he illustrated with many fine black and white drawings. He was elected an Artist Member of the Savages in 1933 and became its President on three occasions in 1946, 1957, and again in 1967. He exhibited regularly at the Annual Exhibition and also at the RWA to which he became an associate member. He painted mainly in water colours and specialised in flora and still-life studies. He also produced some very fine theatrical subjects as he was a very good character actor and helped in theatrical productions. A man of many talents he was also a good craftsman designer, producing fabrics and pottery. On retiring he moved to Worcester Court and died in March 1982. (R. S. B.)