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Paul Overy: 1940-2008 Paul Overy was a renowned author and academic, specialising in the history and theory of 20th century art, architecture and design. He was best known for several important books on the Dutch art movement De Stijl, the most recent published by Thames & Hudson in 2000. In particular he focused on the work of Piet Mondrian and the Dutch cabinetmaker and architect Gerrit Rietveld, but he also wrote on Wassily Kandinsky, Josef Albers and many other leading figures of British and European modernism. His books and articles, always based on thorough research, made these dry and sometimes unpopular subjects accessible, while communicating the passion and idealism which motivated them. Born in Dorchester and educated at University College school in Hampstead, Paul went up to King's College, Cambridge, to read English and philosophy. Later he was an art critic for the Listener, New Society, the Financial Times, the Times and the International Herald Tribune. Major articles of his appeared in magazines and journals including the Journal of Design History, Art History, Art Monthly, the Burlington Magazine, and the Times Literary Supplement. His books include Kandinsky: the Language of the Eye (1969), The Rietveld Schröder House (co-author, 1988), De Stijl (1991, 2000), and Norman Foster: 30 Colours (1998), co-written with Norman Foster. His last book was Light, Air and Openness: Modern Architecture between the Wars, published by Thames & Hudson in 2008. Paul was also an inspiring and conscientious teacher, at such places as Goldsmiths College, the Royal College of Art, and notably at Middlesex University, as Reader and then Senior Research Fellow in the School of Arts & Education. He was described as "a natural communicator", known for his clarity and lucidity of thought, and his ability to explain complex theoretical ideas in an accessible way. He died aged 68 from pancreatic cancer, and until his death lived with his partner Tag Gronberg in London. Recent books: Light, Air and Openness (Thames & Hudson: 2008) De Stijl (Thames & Hudson: 2000)
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