Pear on a Ledge

Armstrong was born in Hastings. After Oxford he studied at the St John’s Wood School of Art, 1913-14, returning again after war service. His first one-man show was held at the Leicester Galleries in 1928. He became a member of Unit One in 1933, exhibiting in the group’s shows at the Mayor Gallery in 1934 and at this stage his work began to take on a Surrealist character. In the 1930s Armstrong worked as a designed for the theatre and films, including the first performance of the ballet Façade and several films made by Sir Alexander Korda. He also did advertising and poster work for Shell-Mex and ICI. During World War II Armstrong was an official war artist. Following the war he continued to exhibit widely, including at the Festival of Britain in 1951 and extensively at the Royal Academy. He also designed and painted murals and illustrated books. A Memorial Exhibition was held at the Royal Academy in 1975.