Edward Eade was born into a working class family in North London. His talents were soon recognized and encouraged  by his mother. He entered the Slade School of Art, London, as a Slade scholar in 1929 and went on to study at the Royal Academy Schools. He was considered to be a brilliant student, gaining a Landseer scholarship, prizes and awards for Drawing, History of Art and a first class medal for Life Painting. He studied Art History under Roger Fry who also regarded his work highly and whose death in 1934 affected him deeply. Later he studied sculpture under Henry Moore whose influence can be seen in many of his drawings and more mature sculptures. Professor Carel Weight of the Royal College of Art considered Edward Eade to be "one of the best draughtsmen in the country".

Edward Eade taught Drawing, Painting, Composition and Art Appreciation in several institutions. He particularly enjoyed teaching History of Art at adult evening classes, where he met his wife. With their two children they lived in Aberdare Gardens in West Hampstead, depicted in some of his paintings. Eade`s love of great art through the ages clearly influenced his own work.

However, although he was forever exploring new ideas he always retained an eye for colour, pictorial composition and form. He wanted nothing to do with the chaos he saw in the works of some of his contemporaries... in the words of Carel Weight "he developed as an artist regardless of modish fashions".  Eade believed deeply that Art, if it has any meaning, should transcend the vulgar and ugly aspects of life. This belief is reflected in his works which bear a mixture of gentleness and ordered beauty. Nevertheless there is also a tension and unease about many of his works which mirrored his own anxieties and insecurity. He felt quite apart from the changes that were occurring in the World of Art during his life-time and this helped to shatter his self-confidence, if not his beliefs.

Despite Eade`s constant exploration of new styles one can see recurring themes throughout his  works. For example, the effect of light on water, street scenes (he was always a city dweller), the mother and baby theme and, in later years, lovers. He was particularly taken with the beauty of the female form and left behind numerous drawings of nudes. A frequent visitor to the zoo, he loved sketching  animals, most of all the larger cats which sometimes appeared in his paintings.

Sadly, like many artists, Eade was no salesman. Starting off as a portrait artist he sold only a few commissioned portraits and busts and soon realized he would be unable to make a living that way. With a friend he attempted producing ceramics, some of which have survived. Unfortunately this enterprise also failed. Increasingly his creativity went into making larger sculptures but he appeared to have lost any interest in becoming known or recognized as an artist. Whether this was due to a lack of self-confidence, disillusionment with the way he saw "art" was going, or a combination of factors we will never know. He was certainly very upset to have his "seated Christ" rejected by the Church. In later years this sense of rejection was replaced by an almost possessive attitude towards his own works which were stored in various parts of his home , his studio and garden. Repeated attempts by others to persuade him to exhibit failed. The larger statues lying around his garden corroded and cracked; some fell apart.

Edward Eade`s wife died in 1973 and after a period of ill health Eade passed away in 1984. A lady companion who had moved in with him in later years lived on in his Hampstead home where his works remained untouched until in 1997 the home-made studio in his garden, which had housed his best loved statues and sculptures, was suddenly demolished and cleared away by the landlord.  All the major sculptures in it,  and most of those lying around the garden had vanished forever.  This resulted in the release of the remaining works into the hands of the Eade family.  At first most of the paintings that were found appeared totally blank until thick layers of grey dust were brushed off,  revealing some works of incredible beauty.

The Eade family mounted the first retrospective Eade exhibition at Lauderdale House,  London,  1-13 August 2000 for others to see and enjoy the works of this talented,  but previously unrecognized artist.  There were 128 exhibits spanning his life's work,  including drawings,  paintings,  ceramics and surviving smaller sculptures and busts.  Many who visited the exhibition were amazed by his works.  The following are some of the written comments on the exhibition:

    "A visual delight - an exciting exhibition."  JF,  Worsc.

    "Fabulous exhibition,  more like it please!"  E.N,  London

    "A fantastic exhibition of wonderful paintings." R.L,  London

    "Deserves much more recognition."  A.L,  London

    "Wonderful - needs a permanent home."  Y.T, Kentish Town

    "Wonderful!!"   S.B.,  Rio de Janeiro,  Brasil

    "Beautiful work. Lovely to see!"  T.S,  London

    "There should be a permanent exhibition."  E.W,  London

    "A revelation - particularly the drawings." C.M,  London

    "Scandalously neglected talent - reminiscent of Munch and Bonnard.
    May he have his time of recognition."  A.D,  London