A Singular Vision: Dod Procter 1890-1972

This book is the first full length biography on Procter and the most comprehensive study of her life and art to date. Other publications on Procter have been newspaper articles, references in anthologies; the most well known is Knowles’ essay from a 1990 exhibition catalogue. A recent book by King has concentrated on Dod’s floral art and comparison between this and the work of other floral painters through the ages. Its production has been informed by the knowledge and expertise of Newlyn experts, art historians, national galleries and archives, private collectors, contextual literature, Dod’s personal documentation and the memories of family and friends. It contains the largest single published collection of her paintings to date as well as previous unpublished details of her life.

Now often overlooked, Dod Procter was only the third woman elected a Royal Academician and her activity spanned much of the 20th century. Achieving great international acclaim in the 1920s for her painting Morning which was bought for the nation by the Daily Mail and acquired by the Tate Gallery, she has latterly been overshadowed by other artists, such as Laura Knight and Gwen John.

This book seeks to redress this balance by giving her life and its prolific output greater consideration. Unlike descriptions of her life and art which have been defined as domestic, feminine or uneventful, her experiences of two World Wars, extensive travel including a year in Burma, fame and media attention and vicissitudes in life.

Alison James

Alison James' research interests include:
Theories of auto/biography, identity and narrative construction in creative arts education. Pedagogic research: critical reflection, PPD, personal development planning, the emotions in learning.

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