Tom Griffiths (1902 - 1990)

Tom Griffiths studied at the Norwich school of art under Charles Hobbis and Horace Tuck, later at Heatherley and Grosvenor Schools, London. He worked as an illustrator in London from 1930 – 1940 and in 1940 joined the staff at Norwich School of Art. He became Senior Lecturer in Graphic Design until 1950, when he left to become a freelance artist.

Tom Griffiths was one of the founder members of the “Norwich Twenty Group” in 1944, later becoming Chairman of the Norfolk and Norwich Art Circle in 1977 and held various offices culminating with the Presidency in 1982 and, in recognition of this, was made an honorary life member in the same year.

Tom Griffiths exhibited at “The Royal Academy”, “The Royal Institute of Oil Painters” and “The National Society of Painters, Sculptors and Gravers”; he was elected a fellow of “The Royal Society of Arts”. He worked both in oil and water-colour and was noted for his views of Norwich by night; he also illuminated vellum scrolls including the book of Remembrance in Norwich Cathedral and honorary freedom scrolls which have been presented by the City of Norwich to various members of the Royal Family and other eminent visitors.

Tom Griffiths was married to Jessie who was Lord Mayor of Norwich from 1969 – 1970 and they lived at 15 Essex Street, Norwich which was also the artist’s studio. Following his wife’s death, Tom Griffiths died shortly after in 1990 aged 88.