Published: 03 February 2012
by PETER GRUNER

PLAYWRIGHT Bonnie Greer this week supported a campaign for a plaque to celebrate the life of Islington artist Cyril Mann.

She joined leading figures including art critics John Russell Taylor of The Times; Mark Hudson of the Mail on Sunday; and Peter Millican, chief executive of Kings Place at King’s Cross, who last month signed a letter to the Islington Tribune calling for recognition for the artist.

Mann died in 1980 aged 68, a poor and neglected figure forced to paint on newspapers because he could not afford canvases. 

He painted some of his greatest works – which now sell for up to £50,000 – while living in a one-bedroom council flat in Bevin Court, off Amwell Street, Finsbury, for more than 10 years.

Since an article on his life appeared in this paper we have received emails from supporters all over the UK and abroad who would like to see a plaque marking the centenary of his birth.

Now Ms Greer, a friend of the artist’s Dutch-born widow, Remske, said she wants to see a plaque put up outside the block of flats, a listed building designed by legendary architect Berthold Lubetkin, where the couple lived.

Ms Greer added: “It’s sad that when he was alive no one wanted to know him and only now is he getting recognition he deserves.

It takes a long time for people to catch up.

“Fashion is a fickle thing in the art world.

It takes time to develop your art and a long time to be accepted.

Now people see Cyril’s work as relevant and are beginning to catch up with him.”

Ms Greer said she was moved by his paintings of bomb sites, which managed to find light and sun.

“He captured a bruised landscape after the war but there is also a triumph of the human spirit,” she said.

Highgate resident Lady Jean Lovell-Davis also supported a plaque.

“I knew Remske and Cyril in the 1960s.

It is wonderful that Cyril is finally finding recognition, even though it’s taken such a long time.”

Peter Millican, the art-loving chief executive of Kings Place, said he would like to put on a show of Mann’s work at the venue.

“I have bought several of Mann’s paintings over the years.

I think that he was perhaps out of step with his time.

I think his star is definitely rising at last.”

Housing agency Homes for Islington, who are responsible for the building, said they would have no objection to a plaque.

“Now the council has to decide.

Dr Robert Travers, who is organising the plaque campaign, said he is optimistic that permission will be granted.

“Everyone seems to be very positive and HfI can see no problems. It’s now down to Islington Council to give the go-ahead.”