Exhibition - Celebration of Clifford
Rhodes
(1906 - 2005)
25 July - 18 August 2006 -
Open evening Tuesday 25 July, 7.00 - 9.00 pm
All other times please ring to view 020 8464 5816
Cecil Bertram Rhodes
(Clifford)
12th January 1906 – 21st March 2005
Clifford Rhodes was born in Plumstead in 1906. He was an only child.
As a young man he tried his hand at a variety of jobs including
specialised rubber floor laying; ladies hairdressing where he opened
3 shops; and also running a florists shop. Asked which of these
jobs he preferred, he replied, ‘Ladies Hairdressing’
– his friends admit ‘our Cliff always was a man for
the ladies!’
Cliff’s father was a scientific instrument maker, based in
Woolwich Arsenal, and Cliff joined him in 1938 training as a metallurgist
working both in the laboratory and the field throughout World War
2, progressing to the role of Inspector of Munitions. After the
Second World War he passed the exam to become a Civil Servant and
worked for 25 years at the Royal Military Academy in Woolwich looking
after officers’ accounts.
In 1942 whilst at Woolwich Arsenal he met the love of his life
one Gladys Streetly who was his partner for 51 years. This was the
most important relationship Cliff had in his long life, they were
clearly devoted to each other. In the late 1980s, Gladys developed
Alzheimer’s Disease and Cliff cared for her until she died
in 1993.
After his retirement in 1971, Cliff had started a new great interest
in painting where he discovered he had a special talent, he often
painted many local and Kent scenes with great distinction. Despite
not having any formal academic training Clifford excelled in his
new found craft and exhibited at the Royal Exchange, London, Fairfield
Halls Croydon and at the Cutty Sark and he was often commissioned
to paint peoples’ houses.
He was Treasurer of the Lewisham Arts Society for many years and
in every field of art whether it was furniture, glass or chinaware
he always showed very good taste. He dressed with an artistic eye
and was well known for his dapper bow ties and elegant appearance.
Cliff’s energy and enthusiasm for life were remarkable. At
the age of 97, he designed and built a studio in his garden, complete
with electrics and a crazy paving path leading to it, transporting
all the materials himself by car.
Cliff bought his first motor cycle and sidecar in 1926 so he had
a driving licence for nearly 80 years! He would drive with his friends
to his beloved Kentish lanes, to revive happy memories of cycling
with his parents, being with Gladys and finding inspiration for
his art. That pleasure he also had right to the last until his passing
in March 2005.
This exhibition is a tribute to one of Chislehurst’s finest
and talented artists and prints will be available for sale. All
proceeds from any sales will go towards Alzheimers, Bromley.
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