Hasta La Ideas

During the second world war, a young Alan Fletcher began life as a boarder at Sussex school Christ’s Hospital. There he made a lifelong friend in John Wood who has paid tribute to Fletcher with an exhibition of his work at the school, much of which has never been seen before

Wood orgainsed the exhibition in order to inspire the school’s current students, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds. One of the centrepieces of the show is a portrait by Fletcher of a Christ’s Hospital pupil wearing the school’s distinctive uniform of blue coat and yellow socks (above).

The show concentrates on Fletcher’s personal work, such as these portraits doodled in meetings and at airports and restaurants, rather than client commissions.

There are many Wood family mementoes in the show: Fletcher wood typically present John and his wife Frankie with paintings or artworks as a thank you when he stayed with them

The inscription on the collage above reads “A Taurus for Frankie from Alan and Paola [Fletcher’s wife]”

John Wood founded the sign company Wood & Wood for whom Fletcher designed this ‘flexible identity’ some decades before the current trend for such things

A letter from Fletcher to Paul Deller, head of art at Christ’s, accepting an invitation.

The show is, unfortunately, not open to the public. Wood hopes that, as well as inspiring current pupils, the show may be the first step toward setting up a scholarship in Fletcher’s name at the school.

CR in Print

If you enjoy reading the Creative Review website, we think you’ll enjoy reading the magazine even more. The December issue of CR includes a profile piece on the independent creative scene in Liverpool, a major interview with Dutch book designer Irma Boom and a great piece on ‘Poster King’ Edward McKnight Kauffer. You’ll also find articles on Dentsu London, a review of the Walker Art Center’s Graphic Design: Now in Production show and a fascinating debate on the clash between design and advertising betwen Wally Olins and CHI’s Dan Beckett.

And if that wasn’t enough, the issue also includes a FREE paper toy for readers to cut out and customise.

If you would like to buy this issue and are based in the UK, you can search for your nearest stockist here. Based outside the UK? Simply call +44(0)207 292 3703 to find your nearest stockist. Better yet, subscribe to CR for a year here and save yourself almost 30% on the printed magazine.