Lost watercolours find the spotlight in Bishop Auckland
Forgotten works by hospice patient Dick Scott become the inaugural exhibition at the town’s new Artists’ Hub
A set of long-forgotten watercolours by a hospice patient in Gosforth is about to take centre stage in Bishop Auckland, forming the first exhibition at the town’s new Artists’ Hub.
The 13 works, created more than a decade ago by St Oswald’s Hospice inpatient Dick Scott, were inspired by Francisco de Zurbarán’s Jacob and his Twelve Sons and lay tucked away in his Longbenton bungalow until a chance conversation brought them to light.
Dick first took up painting in 2000 while recovering from a liver transplant, later attempting to emulate Zurbarán’s series after learning in 2012 that philanthropists Jonathan and Jane Ruffer had saved the original works for the region - an act which resulted in the establishing of regeneration charity The Auckland Project.
But Dick never imagined his own pieces would reach a public audience.
His sister, Sue Coxon, said the family were stunned when The Auckland Project’s chief operating officer, Richard Hinch, responded immediately to the hospice’s enquiry.
“Richard told us he loved the paintings and wanted them for the first exhibition in the new Artists’ Hub in Bishop Auckland town centre. He also invited Dick to officially open the Hub at a VIP event. When I told Dick, he was overwhelmed with emotion - he never thought anyone would see them,” she said.
“I’m not a religious man, but there was something about those paintings that really moved me,” said Dick, a former furnace refractor. “All I’ve ever wanted is for people to see my paintings.
“For them to make their debut in such a prestigious setting is beyond my imagination, and I am grateful to St Oswald’s Hospice and The Auckland Project for making this happen.”
The exhibition opened this week at the Hub, which aims to nurture emerging talent through training, mentoring and dedicated exhibition space, delivered in partnership with Bishop Auckland College.
Dick plans to donate all 13 paintings to St Oswald’s and is already working on a new mural celebrating the care it provides.