Artist In Focus

Bill Mundy

The Famous British Miniaturist

Bill Mundy was born in Berkshire and painted his first portrait in 1941 before his 5th birthday.

After a five year apprenticeship as a lithographic artist he spent his military service in the Far East as a cartographer during the Malayan Emergency. He lived in Asia for 20 years where his career progressed from Creative Director to the position of Area Director for Asia with a large International US Advertising Agency.

Whilst in Asia he became the “Court Painter“ to the Johor Royal Family in Malaysia. He returned to England in 1978 to become a full-time artist and portrait painter. He had his first miniature accepted for exhibition at the Royal Academy‘s Summer Exhibition in 1977 and has regularly exhibited there ever since.

He has also exhibited with the Royal Society of Miniature Painters in 1979, later that year he became a member of the Miniature Art Society of Florida, and the Hilliard Society of Miniaturists. He was elected to the prestigious Miniature Artists of America in 1992.

In 1999 he was commisioned to paint an equestrian miniature for Her Majesty The Queen, and is the only living miniaturist to be represented at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Photograph of Bill Mundy
© Bill Mundy

Gilbert Adams
© Bill Mundy

The Royal Bargemaster
© Bill Mundy

Nelson
© Bill Mundy

More about Bill Mundy and his Accolades.

Bill Mundy specialises in miniature paintings, mostly portraits, utilising watercolours using a pointillist style. In the miniature field he is world-renowned.

Vince Hill
© Bill Mundy

Sultan
© Bill Mundy

Career Summary

1978 – Present:

Full-time Artist

1978 – Present:

Full-time Artist

1970 – 1977:

Grant International Advertising Agency, Singapore. Regional Director

1970 – 1977:

Grant International Advertising Agency, Singapore. Regional Director

1965 – 1970:

Grant International Advertising Agency, Bangkok. Managing Director

1965 – 1970:

Grant International Advertising Agency, Bangkok. Managing Director

1964 – 1965:

Grant International Advertising Agency, Bangkok. Creative Director

1964 – 1965:

Grant International Advertising Agency, Bangkok. Creative Director

1964:

Grant International Advertising Agency, Hong Kong, Creative Director

1964:

Grant International Advertising Agency, Hong Kong, Creative Director

1960 – 1963:

Papineau Advertising, Singapore. Art Director

1960 – 1963:

Papineau Advertising, Singapore. Art Director

1957 – 1960:

Huntley, Boorne and Stevens, Reading, Berkshire. Apprentice lithographic artist and designer

1957 – 1960:

Huntley, Boorne and Stevens, Reading, Berkshire. Apprentice lithographic artist and designer

Alan – the Boatman
© Bill Mundy

Notable Sitters

HM The King of Thailand, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Mother Teresa, The Sultan of Johore, General Sir Patrick Palmer (Constable Governor of Windsor Castle), Joe Pillai (Singapore High Commissioner in London), Sir Peter Saunders, HRH The Sultan of Oman, Leslie Thomas OBE, Edwin Hunt (The Royal Bargemaster), Spike Milligan, Sir Felix Brunner, Equestrian painting for HM The Queen, Raymond Baxter OBE, HRH Princess Azizah of Pahang, David Barber (Swanmarker to The Queen).

Exhibitions and Permanent Collections

2013 – 2014:

‘The Art of Bill Mundy‘ at the River and Rowing Museum, Henley-on-Thames

2013 – 2014:

‘The Art of Bill Mundy‘ at the River and Rowing Museum, Henley-on-Thames

1991:

Victoria and Albert Museum, London. ‘David Money-Coutts’ acquired for permanent collection

1991:

Victoria and Albert Museum, London. ‘David Money-Coutts’ acquired for permanent collection

1991:

Oriental Hotel, Bangkok (one-man exhibition, 120 miniatures). Presided over by Prince Suphat of Thailand

1991:

Oriental Hotel, Bangkok (one-man exhibition, 120 miniatures). Presided over by Prince Suphat of Thailand

1980:

Bird Place, Henley-on-Thames (one-man exhibition)

1980:

Bird Place, Henley-on-Thames (one-man exhibition)

1978 – Present:

Society of British Artists

1978 – Present:

Society of British Artists

1978 – Present:

Royal Society of Portrait Painters

1978 – Present:

Royal Society of Portrait Painters

1978 – Present:

Royal Academy Summer Exhibition

1978 – Present:

Royal Academy Summer Exhibition

Akua
© Bill Mundy

Ade
© Bill Mundy

Publications and TV Appearances

2008:

Autobiography ‘A Brush with Life‘ published

2008:

Autobiography ‘A Brush with Life‘ published

2007:

‘The Big Event‘ for BBC TV. Painted miniature of King Henry VIII live

2007:

‘The Big Event‘ for BBC TV. Painted miniature of King Henry VIII live

2006 – 2008:

Three books on miniature portrait paintings published

2006 – 2008:

Three books on miniature portrait paintings published

2005:

‘Star Portraits‘ for BBC TV. Painted Adrian Edmonson

2005:

‘Star Portraits‘ for BBC TV. Painted Adrian Edmonson

Other

Established the Mundy Sovereign Award for the best portrait at the RMS annual exhibition.
Presented two miniatures to Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at Chitralada Palace, Bangkok,
and a large portrait of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh to the Duke, celebrating his 90th birthday.

Sebastian
© Bill Mundy

Jade
© Bill Mundy

Societies and Affiliations

1979 – Present:

Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers (RMS)

1979 – Present:

Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers (RMS)

1983 – Present:

The Hilliard Society of Miniaturists (HS)

1983 – Present:

The Hilliard Society of Miniaturists (HS)

1983 – Present:

Miniature Art Society of Florida (MASF)

1983 – Present:

Miniature Art Society of Florida (MASF)

1989 – Present:

Miniature Artists of America (MAA)

1989 – Present:

Miniature Artists of America (MAA)

1997 – Present:

The Society of Limners (SLM)

1997 – Present:

The Society of Limners (SLM)

Selected Awards

2016:

MASF Annual Exhibition ‘Marion Winter Excellence in All Entries Award‘

2016:

MASF Annual Exhibition ‘Marion Winter Excellence in All Entries Award‘

2015:

RMS Annual Exhibition ‘Bonhams Portrait Miniature Award‘

2015:

RMS Annual Exhibition ‘Bonhams Portrait Miniature Award‘

2015:

Hilliard Society Annual Exhibition ‘Marion Winter Kangaroo Award for Excellence‘

2015:

Hilliard Society Annual Exhibition ‘Marion Winter Kangaroo Award for Excellence‘

2004:

Hilliard Society Annual Exhibition ‘Llewellyn Alexander Gallery Best in Show‘

2004:

Hilliard Society Annual Exhibition ‘Llewellyn Alexander Gallery Best in Show‘

1987-2009:

Hilliard Society Annual Exhibition ‚‘Bell Award‘ (best portrait) (4 times)

1987-2009:

Hilliard Society Annual Exhibition ‚‘Bell Award‘ (best portrait) (4 times)

1997:

MASF Annual Exhibition ‘Best of Show‘ for ‘Chief Runsewe‘

1997:

MASF Annual Exhibition ‘Best of Show‘ for ‘Chief Runsewe‘

1985:

RMS Annual Exhibition ‘Gold Memorial Bowl‘ for ‘The Royal Bargemaster‘

1985:

RMS Annual Exhibition ‘Gold Memorial Bowl‘ for ‘The Royal Bargemaster‘

1982:

Royal Society Summer Exhibition ‘Exhibit of the Year‘ for ‘The Picture Framer‘

1982:

Royal Society Summer Exhibition ‘Exhibit of the Year‘ for ‘The Picture Framer‘

1980:

Royal Society Summer Exhibition ‘Exhibit of the Year‘ for ‘Early Apples‘

1980:

Royal Society Summer Exhibition ‘Exhibit of the Year‘ for ‘Early Apples‘

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