Sunday Feature: Frost-Heron

Art historian Michael Bird is in St Ives to explore the bond between groundbreaking abstract artists Terry Frost and Patrick Heron, who formed an unlikely and lifelong friendship, pioneering brilliant use of colour and space to become two of the most important abstract artists of their generation. Through archive interviews, including some broadcast for the first time, Michael revises their significant contribution to modern art. Writer AS Byatt describes why she choose Heron to paint her portrait. She also reveals that both men enjoyed watching Marilyn Monroe films together. Michael also meets Sir Alan Bowness, former director of the Tate, who owns paintings by both artists. And as Tate St Ives prepares to open a new wing dedicated to the St Ives school, and plans for a Heron exhibition are under way, Michael asks why we should still be looking at Heron and Frost