THIS WILL TAKE YOU TO HEAVEN
Date Posted: 25th January 2025
THIS WILL TAKE YOU TO HEAVEN Written in Percy Kelly's final report from Carlisle College of Art
I won’t be in The Beacon at Whitehaven today. The forecast isn’t good and there is too much to clear up in the garden after the ferocious storm and I guess that many of you will be in the same position.
I will definitely be there next Saturday 1st February for my talk THE SWINGING SIXTIES. I am thoroughly enjoying putting the talk together. The decade from 1959 – 1969 was astonishing for PK. He made many connections with important people who could help him: royalty, titled people, art collectors, leaders of industry. In 1969 onwards he was approached by many leading gallery owners but turned them all down. He started 4 years at art college aged 42 from 1961 - 1965 - gaining accolades and distinctions. He was popular at college and fell in love with a young fellow student, had his first solo exhibition, saw his industrial drawings travel through Europe to Moscow and had a commission from Cunard for his paintings to hang in the State Rooms of the QEII on her maiden voyage to New York... and much more before throwing it all away in 1969 to live in abject poverty and died in Norfolk lonely, unrecognized as an artist and penniless. I will be exploring why he made that decision.
He also gained a travel scholarship from the college in 1964 and went to France. I told this story in some detail last year at Theatre by the Lake which involves a recently discovered mystery film made in 1964 and a well known Paris gallery owner. There were 3 showings and all were quickly fully booked. I promised those disappointed that I would repeat it. I will be giving it again on Sunday 16th March at 4pm at Words by the Water Studio. Tickets can be booked on line at theatrebythelake.com or at the box office 01768774411. I will not be showing the film at The Beacon which is a totally different talk.