Born 1908, London. Died 1993, Aberaeron, Wales

George Chapman studied at Gravesend School of Art, the Slade School of Fine Art and the Royal College of Art in London and became a graphic artist for Shell‑Mex. He taught at the Central School of Art. In 1948 Chapman moved to Great Bardfield, Essex. A number of artists, including Edward Bawden and Michael Rothenstein, had moved to the village and held group exhibitions. Chapman, however, did not find inspiration in the Essex countryside. Much of his work is influenced by the Welsh mining villages and the industrial and urban landscape of the Midlands. He discovered the Rhondda Valley by chance. 'I was thrilled with the district and knew that here at last was a problem and subject that would give some personal direction to my work.'

In 1957 he won the Gold Medal for Fine Art at the Royal National Eisteddfod. In 1960, following a move to Aberaeron, Wales, he produced ten etchings entitled Rhondda Suite. In 1989 Aberystwyth Arts Centre and the Welsh Arts Council organised an exhibition of Chapman's work, The Welsh Story, A Retrospective Exhibition.

Playing in the Street