FRED ORTON 1945-2025
MARCEL DUCHAMP (1887-1968).
EXHIBITION • MAN RAY / JULIEN LEVY GALLERY. Folded exhibition brochure. 1945.
11x9 inches
I was looking around the internet looking for the source of this exhibition poster when I discovered that my old Art History master at De Montfort University (Leicester Poly as was) the Marxist historian Fred Orton pass away last year -the day after my birthday- . . . . . I also discovered he had taken up painting again in his retirement which filled me with joy.
He scared lots of us at Leicester in the first year with his intellect, his radical political awareness and depth of art knowledge (I once recall a lecture he gave us about Black Mountain College which brought him to tears!) and he was fiercely challenging but the tutorial study group on Marcel Duchamp, with fellow lecturer and my tutor at Art School, the composer Gavin Bryars, meant he warmed to me whereas I had previously thought for the longest time he considered me an idiot!
I dedicate this post to him and send the kindest of wishes to old compatriot and sparring partner Gavin and Fred’s family his partner Miranda Orton and their daughters Daisy and Emmylou.
Fred Orton ‘untitled’
Steve Edwards
Fred
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