Yellow and Blue Bird

Born in Glasgow as Louis Freeman, he left school at the age of 8 in order to support his impoverished family. In 1906 he enlisted with the Scottish Rifles and later served with them during World War I. At the end of the war he emigrated to Toronto where he kept a second hand shop. At the age of 44 he began doodling with pens in the shop and discovered his passion for art and own unique style. After a few exhibitions in Canada he returned to London in 1945 and settled in Kilburn. He had a solo exhibition at the Arcade Gallery who also showed works by Picasso, de Chirico, Klee and Miro. He was admired and collected by Jean Dubuffet and Pablo Picasso who considered him to be at the forefront of 20th Century Outsider Art. Works by him are in the Tate Gallery and many other public collections.