Joan was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, and attended the College of Art there, 1947–9, and the Slade School of Fine Art, 1949–52. She showed regularly in the RA Summer Exhibition, also with the RWS, NEAC, ROI, RI, RWA and RE. Bates had work chosen for the finalists’ exhibition, Hunting/Observer Award; Paris Salon; and The Discerning Eye. She won 2nd and 3rd Prizes at the Laing Painting Competition and a Cornelissen Prize. Commercial galleries shown at included New Grafton Gallery; Cadogan Contemporary; Bohun Gallery, Henley; New Ashgate, Farnham; Alresford Gallery, Hampshire; Albany Gallery, Cardiff; and Beaux Arts, Bath. Bates also had solo exhibitions.
