Robert Graves reconstructed a series of riddles/glosses to identify each tree in the sequence. John Scanes illustrated the letters, trees and the symbolic meanings in a series of paintings which, at times, overlapped his Rubaiyat sequence. He kept these works as his own personal collection, although related works were exhibited and sold. They were exhibited for the first time at a retrospective exhibition at the Sewell Centre Gallery, Radley College, UK, in 2005. Scanes' second theme, less well represented in his personal collection, was London and the urban environment, particularly the effects of poverty on the spirit. In his memoirs he wrote movingly of his childhood in the Docklands of the East End during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Throughout his work, Scanes constantly used motifs taken from the hieroglyphs and religious figures of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia and from early European cave art from Lascaux and standing stones, and later rock art such as the Tassili frescoes. The Bronze Age White Horse of Uffington, Berkshire, lying broken on its hill, was one of his favourite recurring studies. He also wrote and illustrated a cycle of children’s stories, which remains unpublished. Scanes worked in mixed media, juxtaposing low-relief metal sculpture with painting, drawing and the effects of charring. His abstract work was always experimental, particularly the use of paint effects with oils and relief using metal fillers, plaster, semi-precious stones and woods. His sculptures make extensive use of found objects. His aim was the transformation of the perceived subject into another form using the artist’s skill. John Scanes' works are in private ownership throughout the world. The private collection and portfolio and an archive of memoirs are kept by his estate. Sources David Buckman, ed. Dictionary of artists in Britain since 1945. 2nd edn. 2006, External links Images of works from the artist's personal collection British artists British abstract artists Cityscape artists 1928 births 2004 deaths Academics of the Central School of Art and Design