Gallery I |
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Catalogue Details Tom Ellis, architect 1911-1988 Art Deco Traffic Control Tower, c.1937 Graphite on paper Signed: T B Harper Ellis Invt et delt Inscribed: A Traffic Control Tower 22.3 x 25.5 cms Provenance: the family of the architect The ideas of speed, transport and travel represent a defining characteristic of the ART DECO period. The expansion of travel by car was a phenomenon and one that had a terrific impact on the city scene. These are themes explored in this dynamic city scene by Ellis. 'Speedsters' wait outside a central railway station waiting to collect passengers from trains. The shapes of the motor-cars and 'speedsters', along with the contours of the buildings, building fenestration, road layouts and skyline, are all drawn to emphasise the notion of 'streamlining'. The entire impetus of this fine Art Deco design is recreate the effect of 'speed' - the pace of of technological and social advances that transformed the built environment and the pace of 20th century life. Ellis passed the RIBA Intermediate exam in 1935, having studied at Lancaster School of Art. He arrived in London in 1935, studied initially at the A.Association, moved to the Royal College of Art in 1936 and achieved his RIBA Final exam in 1938. Ellis visited the 1937 Paris Exhibition and this had an immense impact on his work. In 1948 he was invited to join Edward Lyons and Lawrence Israel as partner in their practice - the exhibition held at the A. Association in 1988 on the work of Lyons, Israel Ellis and Gray documents the development of this practice. |