Moonrise, Stanford Dingley was exhibited at the Reading Guild of Artists Thirtyfifth Annual Exhibition, at the Municipal Art Gallery, Reading, May 1 – May 25, 1965.

This is one of many works in the Reading Museum’s collection by Frank Ormrod. His home and the surrounding landscape of Stanford Dingley were of endless inspiration to him as subject matter. As well as oil paintings he exhibited lithographs and other printmaking techniques.

Frank Ormrod was born in Bolton, Lancashire in 1896. Having been the Reading Guild of Artists’ Vice President for 7 years already, Ormrod succeeded Albert C. Carter as President upon his death in 1958. Ormrod’s involvement with the RGA started in the mid-1930s when he was invited along as a ‘Critic’ to view the Annual Exhibition. A former teacher at the Slade, Ormrod then was part of the University of Reading’s Fine Art Department (1935–1964). When he became a member of the RGA in 1941, he was to continue to act as ‘artist critic’ to Guild members; ‘Those of us who were privileged to attend criticisms of member’s work by Frank Ormrod, know from first-hand experience how well he does this kind of thing; at once so critically alert and sensitive, yet kindly, sympathetic and ready to seize upon whatever merits a work might possess. He was also very hands-holding oil painting demonstrations and sketching classes with the members, always with tact and charm able to point out the ‘not so good’ and the ‘glimmers of hope’.’

He ‘retired’ as President in 1969, and was made an Honorary member. He continued to exhibit at the Annual Exhibition until his death in 1988.

Frank Ormrod is listed on the London Transport Museum website as having designed the posters for London Transport in 1937.