A favourite artist

L S Lowry

Recently we have become interested in the work of a British artist of the first half of the twentieth century: L S Lowry. His most typical paintings are of the industrial parts of Manchester at that time, peopled by human figures commonly referred to as "stick figures".

 

There is a special gallery in Manchester devoted to Lowry's work, and you will find its website on the web easily.

 

Our friend, Gwen Herbert, has for many years created embroidery versions of these paintings and usually has around 20 of her pictures on the walls of her home near here.

 

Last month the Taranaki Cathedral borrowed most of her Lowry ones to exhibit in the hall where they serve breakfast on Tuesdays, and last week we took Gwen to breakfast there to see them hanging, and to introduce her to the regular customers.

 

A year or so back Gwen gave Margaret one that she had specially made for her at 91 years of age (they are distant cousins). Margaret has just finished a similar embroidery version of another one.

 

So I have tried my hand at sketching a couple in watercolour and pencils and here they are:

 

 

 This is "An Organ Grinder".

 

I have not managed to get the colours accurately, but it gives the general idea.

 

Below is "Waiting for the shop to open", which is the painting Margaret has embroidered.

 

 

Wednesday afternoons I walk to town and back and often stop for a while to do a quick sketch of streets or buildings. Here are a couple of recent efforts:

 

This is the building on the corner of Gover and Devon Streets, diagonally opposite what was known traditionally as the State Hotel.

 

 

And this is the half-finished Len Lye Building on the corner of Devon and Queen Streets, with the historic White Hart Hotel to the right and the Town Clock across the street to the left.

 

The left-hand end of the building has its polished stainless steel panels in place, reflecting the Atkinson Building opposite. It's going to be a spectacular sight when it is finished in a few months' time.

 

It will house the complete collection of Len Lye's work, kinetic sculptures, experimental movie film, and all.