The creative world mourns the loss of Veronica Gosling, a prolific writer and visual artist whose life was defined by an insatiable curiosity. She has died at the age of 94, leaving behind a legacy of novels, sculptures, and community projects that animated the city of Exeter.
From Literary Debut to Visual Discovery
Born in London to writer Robert Henriques and Vivien Levy, Veronica's early life was shaped by the Second World War, which saw her evacuated to the United States. Upon her return, she was educated at Cheltenham Ladies' College. Her creative journey first found public expression through writing.
At just 24, she published her debut novel, Love from a Convict (1955). The story of a reporter falling in love during a prison visit showcased her sharp insight into human behaviour. It was praised by Norman Shrapnel in the Manchester Guardian as a 'tiny Wuthering Heights'.
She worked as a journalist for the Western Morning News in Plymouth before marrying psychoanalyst Robert Gosling in 1958. Together they raised five children. Veronica published four more novels, with the last, Tom's Sister, appearing in 1977.
A New Creative Language in the Countryside
A pivotal shift occurred in 1978 when she and Robert moved to the Forest of Dean. Away from the conversational stimulus of city life, she felt she had 'nothing to write about' and turned her focus to visual art.
She began to sketch people's attitudes and movements, translating these observations into a new language of sculpture, clay, and mixed-media assemblage. She was drawn to found objects, liberating them for new imaginative purposes based on their shapes and hidden histories.
Her home became a canvas, with walls and appliances claimed by bold colour. She learned practical skills from carpenters and engineers, and even transformed discarded fish bones into art, completing her piece Smoked Mackerel in 2019 before supper was served.
Building Community Through Studio 36 and Beyond
After Robert's death in 2000, Veronica moved to Exeter in 2003. There, she founded Studio 36, an experimental space where poetry, dance, video, and painting could collide. She thrived on interdisciplinary events, from 'Creative Integration Day' with new residents to the playful 'Hello Beckett!' performances.
Her commitment to inclusive creativity extended to running painting workshops for people with dementia and their carers. In 2020, with support from Exeter City Council, she launched the Get on Board community art-board project. It drew contributions from across the city, including Exeter Prison, and she was actively working on it just days before her death.
Veronica Gosling is survived by her four sons, Jonathan, Will, Sam, and Roly, 12 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Her daughter, Louisa, died last year. Her enduring question—'Why not?'—remains a testament to a life vibrantly lived through art.
