Gillian Ayres (1930 – 2018) was an influential English painter renowned for her large, vividly colored abstract works and prints, characterized by thick layers of pigment that draw from diverse styles and movements. 

Ayres viewed abstract painting as a vital language reflecting the energy of the 20th century and its evolving relationship with nature and society. Rather than depicting figures or landscapes, she explored the materiality of painting, often placing the canvas on the ground to engage with the physicality of her work. This approach allowed her to experiment with shapes, colors, and textures that convey a spectrum of emotions.