John Pemberton

1908 - 1960

John Pemberton was a British theatre designer and artist active primarily in the mid-20th century. His career encompassed both scenic design and painting, with a distinctive style influenced by Surrealism and theatrical aesthetics. He was a scene designer for the Old Vic Theatre in London during the late 1940s and into the 1950s. His work there contributed to the rich visual storytelling for which the Old Vic was renowned during that period. In addition to his work at the Old Vic, Pemberton designed sets for other productions, including "Her Naughty Past" at the Empire Theatre in Bristol (1947–1948) and The Happy Family at the Duchess Theatre in London (1951). Pemberton’s paintings often incorporated surreal and theatrical elements, reflecting his background in stage design. Pemberton's artworks frequently featured dramatic lighting and stylised figures, blurring the lines between performance and visual art. Probably his best-known work is the highly surreal “Since the Bombardment” in the National Galleries of Scotland. In 1946, he married actress Antonia Pemberton, from Margate, where some of his later work is set.