Woodland Scene

Claude Flight (1881–1955) Painter, printmaker, interior designer and sculptor. Born in London, Flight trained as an engineer, then became a librarian, in 1906 beginning seven years of beekeeping and farming in Sussex. Began to study at Heatherley’s School of Fine Art, resuming his studies in 1918 after Army service, with a special interest in lino-cutting, of which he was to become a master. In the 1920s began to exhibit on the continent, in 1925 having lino-cuts bought by the Contemporary Art Society and the British Museum. Two years later formed interior decorating business with the artist Edith Lawrence, experimenting with lino-cutting, textiles, picture panels and wall hangings.

In 1931 had one-man show at Redfern Gallery, in 1935 a joint exhibition with Edith Lawrence at the French Gallery. They were responsible for the First Exhibition of British Lino-Cuts at the Redfern in 1929, an annual event until 1937. During World War II many of Flight’s paintings and colour blocks were destroyed by enemy action. For a time Flight was editor of Arts and Crafts Quarterly, and he also published a number of books, including Lino-Cuts. S C Kaines-Smith called Flight “the only true futurist that this country has produced”. His vital, dynamic prints were early recognised as masterpieces in a neglected medium. In later life lived with Edith Lawrence at Donhead St Andrew, Wiltshire. David Buckman – Artists in Britain Since 1945