Biography

Painter, printmaker & teacher, Irvin studied at Northampton School of Art from 1940 to 1941, before serving as a navigator in the RAF during World War II. He went on to study at Goldsmiths College where he later returned to teach, 1962 - 1983. Irvin’s first solo exhibition was held in 1960 at 57 Gallery, London. Irvin was awarded a Travel Award to America by the Arts Council in 1968 and later received an Arts Council Major Award.

A retrospective of his work from 1960 to 1989 was held at the Serpentine Gallery, London in 1990. He was elected a Royal Academician in 1998. Eightieth birthday shows at Gimpel Fils and Advanced Graphics were held in 2002. Arts Council and other public collections hold his work. The Albert Irvin Estate, run by his daughters Priscilla Hashmi and Celia Irvin, continues to represent his work.