Harry Ousey

Working as a trainee architect in London during the early ‘thirties’, Harry Ousey saw a major exhibition by Paul Nash and this experience was to change his life and determine his future as a painter. Many of his earliest works painted during the 1930’s were to be destroyed in London during the War.

The difficult ‘War Years’ produced few oils and works on paper. He was to marry his soul mate ‘Susie’ in 1942 and after the war they committed themselves to his painting living in many areas of the country gathering inspiration from the diverse landscapes of Scotland, Gloucestershire, Derbyshire and Cornwall

Harry’s work was exhibited extensively in some of the most prestigious selling galleries in London the 1960’s and early 1970’s. His work is included in many collections throughout the world.

Disillusioned with the British art scene in the 70’s Harry and his wife Susie decided to take a gamble and move to France setting off in a Volkswagen Caravanette living a gypsy like existence for many months, painting and exploring before settling in Aix-en-Provence where they were to spend the next decade.

He became extremely ill which made work increasingly difficult. Sadly Harry was to die in 1985 before completing the major exhibition he had been planning. After his death his wife, Susie, found the memories too painful for her to exhibit his work leaving it untouched for over 10 years. The collection of his works passed into the possession of his niece in the hope that she would rekindle the considerable interest that had been shown in his work during Harry’s lifetime. The subsequent critical acclaim encouraged her niece in her resolve to honour Susie’s last wish.