Fay Pomerance

Fay Pomerance née Levy (12 July 1912 – 2001) was a British artist known for her paintings in pastel, tempera and in watercolours which were often on religious and spiritual subjects.

Biography Pomerance was born in Birmingham and studied at the Birmingham College of Art from 1928 to 1933. After graduation, Pomerance worked as a freelance commercial artist but also began exhibiting in group shows, most notably with the Sheffield Society of Artists of which she became a member. Further solo shows followed including at the Ben Uri Gallery, at the Leicester Galleries and also at the Molton and Redfern galleries. In 1962 and 1963 she had solo shows at the Sheffield University Library Gallery and the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle upon Tyne respectively. Notable works by Pomerance include The Sphere of Redemption cycle panels. Works by Pomerance are held by a number of museums in Israel and in Britain by the Ben Uri Gallery, the Batley Art Gallery and by both Hull and Staffordshire local authorities.

Pomerance's work differed from the mainstream of post-war British art. Throughout her life, she experienced spiritual visions which formed the basis of her dreamlike iconography and complex expressions. She explored and developed intense themes through her works such as War Vision, a powerful watercolour series that depicts themes of carnage, genocide, oppression and homelessness.

Personal life Pomerance's father was Sol Levy, the founder of the Scala Cinema chain. In 1936 she married Ben Pomerance, who became vice-chairman of the furniture firm Waring & Gillow. During her life she travelled extensively in Europe, notably to Scandinavia and also made several trips to Israel. For many years Pomerance lived in Sheffield but spent her later years in Bristol.