James Hull 1921-1990

James Hull (1921–1990) was a British painter and interior designer whose career spanned a broad range of artistic styles. Born in London to a working-class family, Hull studied architectural design before serving in the Army during World War II. After the war, he became a toymaker and scenery designer, and his early paintings were influenced by Surrealism. However, his style evolved over the years, moving toward a Constructionist approach with a focus on pure color and geometric shapes.

In 1949, with the support of art critic Herbert Read, Hull had his first exhibition at the Brook Street Gallery, marking the beginning of his ascent in the avant-garde art scene. Throughout the 1950s, Hull’s work gained attention, including his mural The Story of Coal for the Festival of Britain’s Dome of Discovery in 1951. His exhibitions extended internationally to Paris and New York, cementing his reputation as a forward-thinking artist.

Despite his growing recognition, Hull faced economic pressures that led him to shift his focus. He won a competition to design the interior of the Daily Mirror building, which launched his career in interior design. From 1951 to 1970, Hull worked for IPC publishing, balancing his artistic pursuits with commercial design work.

In his later years, particularly during the 1980s, Hull’s painting took on a more expressive, abstract style. His work continued to reflect the technical mastery and emotive qualities that had always defined his career, blending geometric forms with vivid color to explore new dimensions of abstraction.