Edward Hickling (1913-1998)

               Edward Albert Hickling attended Nottingham College of Art between 1927-39, part time whilst working as a technical illustrator. He studied under Arthur Spooner (1873-1962), a well-regarded teacher and painter of atmospheric landscapes, horses and nudes. Hickling enlisted in the armed forces in 1939 and spent most of the war as a POW.

Upon his return he was able to establish a career as a versatile painter, working mostly in oil and watercolours. He mostly painted landscapes, portraits and figures, as well as some technically impressive still-life studies. His paintings of landscapes and figures show a preoccupation with the atmospheric effects of light and shade, evidence of the impact of Arthur Spooner on his work. His style has a softened realism, with muted palettes, precise lines and perspective derived still with a painterly touch which asserts the qualities of the medium.

Hickling had a successful career based in Breaston, Derbyshire and painting scenes from his local environment as well as art trips abroad. He had works displayed at the Royal Academy, Royal Society of Marine Artists, Royal Society of Portrait Painters and Royal Institute of Oil Painters, and was a member of the Derby Sketching Club. His works are held in collections in Britain and abroad.