TRINITY HOUSE PAINTINGS
ART FOR SALE COTSWOLDS, TRINITY HOUSE
‘The Big Match’ by Brian ‘Braaq’ Shields
Pastel
Size: 10 x 12 ins / 25.40 x 30.48 cms
Signed ‘Braaq’ lower right
The nerve-wracking tension and atmosphere whilst watching a match are brilliantly brought to life in this exquisite pastel by Brian ‘Braaq’ Shields. Could this be Liverpool and Everton on the pitch, huge rivals!!
Born in Liverpool, Braaq’s paintings are very much influenced by his childhood. The unusual name of “braaq” is a misspelling of the famous French artist Braque, which on account of his artistic talent as a boy, was his nickname at school. Brian held his first exhibition in 1974 and in 1977 was invited to hold his first of four exhibitions in London’s West End. It was after this exhibition that “The Times” described him as ‘one of the six most successful artists in England.’
In 1977 sadly, far too young at the age of 46 Brian died, leaving a contribution to the art world which ranks him among the leading artists in the country.
Let’s continue celebrating Northern artists with one of the most collected and loved for her storytelling ability, Helen Bradley.
Helen Bradley was an English artist, known for her paintings that typically depict life in Lancashire in the Edwardian era. This led to the artist being known today as one of the greatest storytellers of the 20th Century, with her intricate narrative paintings. Born in November in 1900 in Lees, near Oldham, Lancashire Helen Bradley was always interested in art throughout her life, however, it was not until Bradley was in her sixties and her grandchildren began asking what life was like when she was a child that she began to paint.
Bradley’s paintings tend to feature the same recognisable characters, with her early works typically depicting Helen herself along with George, her younger brother, their mother, her three maiden aunts, the eligible bachelor Mr. Taylor, the Bank manager and their family fried Miss Carter-who wore pink. These early works tell tales of holidays to Blackpool, walking in Salford’s Peel Park or other leisurely activities such as shopping in Oldham. These Narrative paintings were first exhibited at The Saddleworth Art Society in 1965, followed by a London Exhibition in 1966 and a sell-out exhibition at the appropriately named Carter Gallery in Los Angeles in 1968. From thence onwards, Bradley achieved international celebrity.
Notably, whilst in London, Bradley met L.S Lowry who encouraged Bradley to draw from her personal experiences and childhood, expressing her memories in a somewhat naïve painterly style. As a result, her two-dimensional scenes that are richly coloured with a somewhat decorative appearance are perfectly suited to their narrative function. The Short Way Home from Great Aunt Buckley’s is an enchanting painting that is a fine example of Helen Bradley’s ever-popular narrative scenes.
“We were caught in an April shower as we made our way across some spare ground on our way to visit Great Aunt Buckley. People ran to get their washing in, but no sooner had they started to unpeg it when the rain ceased. Mother, Aunt Charlotte, Grandma and Aunt Mary had their umbrellas up, so they did not see what George and I saw coming towards us, but Miss Carter (who wore Pink) did and called, ‘Jane, look at those cows, they’ve got loose from Coopers Slaughterhouse and they’re coming this way’. A woman called to us to come into her home for safety and the year was 1906.”
‘The Short Way Home from Great Aunt Buckley’s’ is here for you to view in Broadway.
Broadway is alive again, buzzing with the hum of visitors here appreciating the beautiful architecture, stonework and wonderful diversity of shops and restaurants which make this pocket in the Cotswolds so very celebrated.
We very much look forward to sharing our beautiful galleries here with you, do come and join us for a glass of summer fizz.
‘The Short Way Home from Great Aunt Buckley’s, 1906’ by Helen Bradley.
Oil on canvas laid on board
Art For Sale Cotswolds
SUMMER EXHIBITION COLLECTION 2021
Our Summer Exhibition Collection 2021 is still available to view in our Broadway galleries. Please do join us for a glass of champagne and explore many works with a strong representation across Modern British, Impressionist and Contemporary works.
Please do contact us at [email protected] if you would like to enquire about our art for sale, Cotswolds, or work you have seen in our galleries and we will be delighted to help. Please click the link below to explore the flipbook further.
‘THE MEEK’ BY CATHY LEWIS
We are delighted to be exhibiting a selection of sculptures by Cathy Lewis as part of our Summer Exhibition Collection, 2021. Cathy Lewis’ unique sculptures are mostly concerned with ideas of culture, identity and social history. Working with the materials of bronze, marble and porcelain, Cathy beautifully carves figurative pieces, keeping the tradition of sculpting with clay at the core of her practice. She has become known for her flawless representation of form. “My work often combines a layering of ideas, each idea influencing the outcome of a piece. For me, art is about questions rather than answers.” – Cathy Lewis
From 1998 – 2006 Cathy specialised in bronzes of the acrobatic male form in balance. In 2006 Cathy was commissioned by Charles Church Developments to create a large sculpture for a public site beside the new Registry Office at Holliday Wharf, Birmingham. From late 2009 Cathy’s focus widened to include her series of beautifully modelled life-sized figures of children – all with strong urban or tribal identities.
For information on Cathy Lewis or about commissioning an original work, please contact us at [email protected]
Peter Davies’ A Northern School first came out in 1989 and had a press run of just 1,200 copies.
It achieved a reputation as the best authority on Northern artists. The book traces the history of artists from Manchester, Liverpool, and Lancashire during the 20th century.
The term ‘Northern Art’ embraces the work of a multitude of 20th century and contemporary artists who not only live and work in the North, but most importantly take the region as their primary source of inspiration. From factories to pleasure beaches and rows of terraced houses, these are artists who capture little slices of everyday life and elevate them into an art form.
The movement is embodied by a group of artists from the North West, led by the unassailable talent of L.S. Lowry. Following in Lowry’s footsteps were the likes of Helen Layfield Bradley, Brian ‘Braaq’ Shields and Harold Riley.
“A NORTHERN SCHOOL REVISITED” BY PETER DAVIES
There is a great geographical diversity of buyers for their favourite Northern artists. However there is a strong core of private collectors from the North which is indicative of the strong sense of pride for homeland that is so evident in the region. The region’s art is increasingly sought after on the national stage. I do hope you enjoy this fascinating book.
