Newly acquired Lowry sketch to star in new exhibition
An artistic Berwick love affair
A recently acquired sketch by L. S. Lowry – yet more evidence of his love for the town – is to feature in a new exhibition called Lowry in Berwick, due to open this month.
Berwick was good for the celebrated artist, who visited many times from the 1930s until his death in 1976, always painting and sketching.
And there’s no doubt Lowry has been good for Berwick.
The town’s Lowry trail is a popular attraction and its exhibition two years ago, Lowry and the Sea, proved one of the most popular ever mounted at the Granary Gallery.
Small wonder that when a Lowry sketch with the title Spittal, Berwick came up at auction, The Maltings (Berwick) Trust decided to go for it and put in what proved to be a winning bid.
It is no more than a sketch, showing figures on Spittal beach and a boat, and it might have been the work of moments, but it’s another reminder of the deftness of Lowry’s hand – and although he was prolific, examples of his talent, when they become available, are always in demand.
The sketch, dated 1960, will be displayed at The Storehouse, a new exhibition space at Berwick Barracks, to mark the 50th anniversary of Lowry’s death and celebrate – once again – the artist’s love of the area.
Displayed alongside it will be two other Lowry works from Berwick’s Town Collection, Old Berwick (1936) and Beach Scene (1954).
Also on display will be a sketch which Lowry gave to the receptionist at the town’s Castle Hotel where he used to stay. Now in a private collection, it has been loaned for the exhibition.
Other works from the Berwick collection will feature in the exhibition, including paintings by Berwick artists Frank Watson Wood (1862 to 1953) and Fred Stott (1910 to 2006).
It will be the first time the Lowry works have been publicly displayed together since Berwick Museum and Art Gallery closed for redevelopment as part of the wider transformation of Berwick Barracks.
James Lowther, head of visual arts at The Maltings, expressed delight at the acquisition of the sketch.
“Lowry had such a fondness for Berwick and the surrounding area, and the purchase of this work, which will be displayed in the new gallery and museum at Berwick Barracks in the longer term, helps ensure this connection can continue to be shared with audiences here.”
Although Lowry is best known for his ‘matchstick men’ and depictions of Manchester’s factory chimneys, he came to love Berwick and produced more than 20 works featuring the town – one of which he included in his first London show in 1938.
In the 1940s he even considered moving to the town, seduced by its special light and atmosphere.
Lowry in Berwick runs from February 21 to March 22 at The Storehouse, Berwick Barracks, which is open Wednesday to Sunday (admission free).
Check for further details at The Maltings website.
Meanwhile, to coincide with the exhibition opening, Northumberland-based sand artist Claire Eason intends to create a large-scale artwork on Spittal beach.
The idea is that it will depict Lowry at his easel and cover a stretch of sand measuring 80 by 20 feet.
Beginning at low tide on the morning of February 21, Claire and a team of volunteer artists plan to use garden rakes to create the work which will then be washed away by the incoming tide.
The process will be documented by drone – and you can’t help wondering what Lowry would have made of that!