William Oxer, Fine artist | Specialising in Portraiture, Historic Houses

Professor Roger Scruton writes 'William Oxer is not merely a painter; he is a distinctive sensibility, with a poetic vision he explores in many media. His art is affirmative, evocative and forgiving...'

William Oxer has been painting and drawing professionally for his entire adult life. His work demonstrates a unique ability to handle many artistic forms, from portraiture and classical study, including volumes of poetry and epic poetry, to specific themes in an achieved new style, typically displayed in exhibitions held each year. For example, the Figures Series of paintings, shown at Mayfair in 2001, was a break from a specific style yet employed ideas which were later to be carried through in other work.

From designing and decorating interiors both in homes and museums, to creating painted panels, walls, ceilings and even furniture, William Oxer has employed his skills over the last fifteen years to improve and refine many homes. After completing his degree at the University of Warwick, William began full-time painting and worked on a number of private clients houses in Warwickshire and the Cotswolds. Originally tipped for a place at the Prince of Wales' Institute o f Architecture, William considered working either at the Cecil Studios, the National Portrait Gallery (where he helped with the research for the Bulmershe Papers for the education dept) or the Hamilton Kerr Institute. He opted to work instead at Hatchlands Park in 1996 with Alec Cobbe.

William was fortunate enough to join in with projects on large country houses such as those at Hatchlands Park, Surrey, Goodwood House, Petworth House and Harewood House. He assisted Alec Cobbe in other projects such as exhibitions at the Queens Gallery, Buckingham Palace and the Walker Gallery, Liverpool. From 1997 to date, William has been working closely with museums, galleries and private clients on various projects. Examples include work at the Building of Bath Museum, decoration and colour-matching at 1, Royal Crescent, Bath and at Christies in St James, London. Here he designed the architectural background for the William Beckford Exhibition.

William has also held various exhibitions of his work both in London and at private country houses. His exhibition at Trafalgar Park near Salisbury also included a performance of his compositions of music, played by members of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. He has also helped with set design and the performance of Roger Scruton's opera 'The Minister' in Oxford. William's work on the homes of private clients is varied. From hand-painted Chinoiserie Drawing Rooms to Grisaille Roundels and panel-painted Dutch chairs, to working with a team on the total renovation and redecoration of rooms, William is able to work as decorator, designer, marchand-mercier and artist. Recently William has also begun work on formal garden design also. His paintings can be commissioned. A number of exhibitions throughout late 2008 to 2009 are now prepared. Please send an email to the address on the Contacts page and a list will be sent to you.