Elwin Hawthorne (1905-1952) was a painter mainly in oil and watercolour of urban scenes, coastal subjects and landscapes. He was born in London and studied art under John Cooper at the Bow and Bromley Commercial Institute in the East End from 1927. Hawthorne’s notes show that he had a continuing involvement with the Institute until 1937 and during this period he became studio assistant to Walter Richard Sickert 1928-31 and he spent three years at the Central School of Arts and Crafts 1933-36. Hawthorne exhibited with the East London Art Club in 1928 and then with the East London Group from 1929 at the group shows held at the galleries of Alex Reid & Lefevre. He also had solo shows with that gallery in 1934 and 1938. Hawthorne married Lilian Leahy, another ELG member in 1937. His uncle, Henry Silk, was also a member of the Group. Hawthorne’s work is held in several public collections, including Manchester City Galleries, Russell-Cotes Art Gallery Bournemouth, Laing Art Gallery, Herbert Art Gallery Coventry, Aberdeen Art Gallery, and Harris Museum & Art Gallery Preston. Elwin Hawthorne lived in London. 

The work of the East London Group has been the subject of extensive research by David Buckman and his book ‘From Bow to Biennale’ published recently by Francis Boutle Publishers is a hugely informative account not only of the Group but of individual members such as Hawthorne.