Biography
DESMOND FOUNTAIN FRBS is a Fellow of the Royal Society of British Sculptors.
An internationally acclaimed sculptor whose work is in public and private collections around the world, he specializes in the female nude and portraiture (mainly as the entire figure).
His lifelike depiction of historical and contemporary personalities has won him an immense following.
Noteworthy are his portrayals of Princess Margaret, Felix Dennis, Mark Twain and Sir George Somers, all of which may be found in the richly illustrated book, DESMOND FOUNTAIN: SCULPTOR.
Although born in Bermuda in 1946, he spent his early childhood in West Africa, where it is thought the unabashed nudity of the epoch triggered his interest in the human form.
Following his first art award at an adult exhibition at age six and selling his first artwork at eleven, he pursued Art Studies in colleges at Stoke-on-Trent and Exeter (where he was President of the Student's Guild), and finally whilst a post-graduate at Bristol University, he was commissioned to create a sculpture of their Nobel Prize winner: Cecil Frank Powell.
The existence of The Bermuda National Gallery is due mainly to his endeavors, and his bronzes are to be found throughout the Colony, which has also been described as his “personal gallery”, his sculptures being so accessible and abundant.
He is listed in many biographical and Art annuals including Debrett's People of Today and virtually all travel guides for Bermuda.
The Figure has preoccupied his imagery throughout his career. Since his successful London one-man shows at the Alwin in the 80's, he has had his own gallery, which is currently awaiting new premises.
Although his Studio is in Bermuda, commissions have taken him to the far reaches of the world.
Recently he completed a three-times-life-size sculpture for The World Sculpture Park in Changchun, China, the world’s largest sculpture park.
He and his wife divide most of their time between Bermuda and Europe.
Education & Accolades
- Stoke on Trent Coll of Art
- Exeter Coll of Art (DipAD)
- Univ of Bristol (CertEd, ATD)
- Lifetime Achievment Award Govt of Bermuda 2003
- FRBS 1985
- Masterworks Gallery, Bermuda, Charman Prize for Scultpure 2008
Exhibitions and Galleries:
- Bermuda Soc of Arts 1958
- Exe Gallery Devon 1968
- Exeter City Museum and Art Gallery 1969 and 1970
- Spectrum Designs Ltd Devon 1969
- Univ of Bristol 1970
- City Hall Bermuda (two man show) 1972
- City Hall Bermuda (four man show) 1973
- Country Art Gallery USA 1974
- Bermuda Soc of Arts Gp Show 1974
- City Hall Bermuda (three man show) 1975
- Bridge House Art Gallery Bermuda (fndr Desmond Fountain) 1976
- Newport USA 1976, The Int Gallery Bermuda (three man show) 1977
- St George's Gallery Middx 1977,
- Windjammer Gallery Bermuda 1980, 1981, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1993 and 1998
- Bermuda Soc of Arts Members Show 1980
- Glen Gallery Canada 1981
- South African Gallery London 1981
- Poole Fine Art USA 1981
- Boston Fine Art Inc 1981
- Coach House Gallery Guernsey 1983
- Sally Le Gallis Jersey 1983
- Renaissance Gallery USA 1983 and 1986
- Alwin Gallery Summer Exhibition London 1985
- Alwin Gallery UK 1986 and 1987
- RSBS USA 1986
- Br Sculptors Art Centre Bermuda 1987
- Art Expo LA 1987
- World Congress USA 1987
- The Sculpture Gallery Bermuda 1989
- Pinehurst Gallery NC 1990
- Hartley Hill Gallery Calif 1992 93
- E S Lawrence Gallery Aspen 1993
- Cavalier Galleries Stamford 1993
- RSBS Chelsea Harbour 1993
- L'Ortolan Sculpture Garden Berks 1993
- Perry House Galleries Alexandria USA 1994
- Bruton Street London 1994
- Bermuda National Gallery, Retropective 1995
- Cavalier Galleries Greenwich and Nantucket 1995-2008
- Royall Fine Art Tunbridge Wells 2005-2008
- DeFined Art, Esher, 2006 - 2008
- Masterworks Gallery, Bermuda, 2008
Solo Exhibitions include:
- H A & E Smith Ltd Bermuda 1975
- A S Cooper & Sons Gallery 1976
- Hamma Galleries Bermuda 1978
- Alwin Gallery London 1980
- Bacardi Int 1982
- Coach House Gallery, Guernsey 1983
- Sally Le Gallais, Jersey 1983
- Renaissance Gallery, Stamford Ct 1983-1986
- Windjammer, Bermuda 1985, 86, 89, 93
- The Sculpture Gallery, Bermuda 1989-2000
- l'Ortolan, Berkshire 1993
- The Desmond Fountain Gallery, Bermuda 2000-06
- Bermuda National Gallery, Retropective 1995
- Falle Fine Art Jersey 1995 and 1997
- Cavalier Gallery USA 1995, Coutts Bermuda 1996
Commissions Include:
- Sculpture of Sir George Somers for St George's unveiled by HRH Princess Margaret 1984
- Medallions in silver, gold and platinum featuring a portrait of HRH Princess Margaret 1985
- Spirit of Joanna Greece 1993 94
- Sculpture of Mark Twain unveiled at Directors' Circle preview of Bermuda Nat Gall retrospective 1994 95
- Sculpture of The Spirit of Bermuda: Johnny Barnes 1997 98
- Heroes of the Oz Trial for Felix Dennis, UK 1997 2000
- Jorgen Svendsen for Belzona in Harrogate 2002; 2003
- Sarah(3 x life size), for The World Sculpture Park, Changchun, China. 2006