Unseen artwork by a band of friends who became Bradford’s most prominent art graduates is being shown in tribute to one of their own.

Dubbed the ‘Bradford Mafia’ by poet and writer Edward Lucie-Smith in 1967, artists David Hockney, David Oxtoby, John Loker, Michael Vaughan and Norman Stevens studied together at the Bradford Regional College of Art in the 1950s.

All have gone on to make names for themselves in the art world but the group lost a member, Norman Stevens, to cancer aged 51.

Twenty years after his death, previously-unseen masterpieces spanning three decades of Mr Stevens’ life are going on show alongside artwork by his friends.

Although the group has collaborated for exhibitions in Bradford before, it will be the first time their work has been drawn together for an event in London. David Hockney’s 2ft by 8ft painting, Hawthorn Blossom on the B1253, which depicts a scene near Bridlington, will make its debut. It will also be the first time that rock ‘n’ roll painter Mr Oxtoby exhibits paintings from his museum exhibition project which includes an 8ft by 9ft monumental study of his old friend Jimi Hendrix. He said: “I went to the junior art department at the Regional College of Art in Bradford at 12 and that was where I met Norman. We met the others when we went to the senior department.

“In those days it was a different kettle of fish, you had to wait until you were 40 until you could be considered to be a young painter, but we were the ones who changed that.”

He said Mr Lucie-Smith reviewed his first exhibition and those of his friends.

“We all moved down to London and we were all having shows and he said to me: ‘I don’t know, it’s like the Bradford Mafia, every show that opens seems to be one of you lot’, and it just stuck.

“In those days it meant something more poignant, it was before The Godfather films.”

He added that he was looking forward to the exhibition.

“It’s fantastic, Norman was an excellent artist, he was underrated for years.”

Richard Gault, managing director of the Redfern Gallery, said: “These are true artists who were trained how to draw.

They are technically very good – of the old school – and they continue to be very successful.

“Norman was the linchpin of the group in many ways and went on to become a professor of print making at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. He was a very well-respected figure in the print world, in lithography and screen printing.

“He is best known for his English Garden paintings.

“He was a wonderful teacher. I met him once just before he died. It was very sad.”

The artists were all taught by Derek Stafford during their studies in Bradford. He now lives in London and is expected to be one of hundreds of people to visit the exhibition.

Mr Gault said: “It’s going to be an interesting show, their works are all very different and I’m expecting a lot of people to turn up.”

Mr Stevens’ widow, Jean, is attending a private viewing along with the four artists at the exhibition on the opening day later this month.

In an ode to their Yorkshire roots, they will be snacking on Potter’s pork pies from Barnsley and regional real ale.

The exhibition runs at the Redfern Gallery from July 22 until September 25. For more information call 0207 734 1732 or e-mail art@redfern-gallery.com.