THE SWINGING SIXTIES In Whitehaven
Date Posted: 15th January 2025
INSPIRED BY INDUSTRY
A reminder that the exhibition INSPIRED BY INDUSTRY opens next Saturday 18th January at the Beacon in Whitehaven. You will be able to see the BRIAN KELLY COLLECTION of 11 of his father, Percy Kelly’s paintings that he donated to Haig Pit which have never been seen before. Brian Kelly gave them to Haig Pit in 1993 for their planned museum but they were lost for 32 years despite my frustrating search for them. Brian died in 2002 aged 57 so had never seen them hanging in a gallery. Nor have I for that matter so I am so excited. You can also see part of the Copeland Collection which was put together by Counselor Jimmy Johnson in the late 1980/90s.
I will be giving an illustrated talk THE SWINGING SIXTIES Saturday afternoon February 1st. That decade was very interesting for Kelly who had his first exhibition at the new Rosehill Theatre followed by another in Sloane Street London; his work went on a travelling exhibition to Europe and Russia promoting British industry; he met members of the Royal Family including the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon; had a commission for the maiden voyage of the QE11 to New York; all the big gallery owners throughout Britain were chasing him for work and Princess Diana’s Mother - Lady Fermoy - offered him an exhibition at her gallery in 1959. It was at this opening that he decided not to sell any more of his works. Why? I will be discussing this conundrum. You need to book this as places are limited.
I am aiming to be at the gallery every Saturday but can’t promise – life sometimes intervenes. The Industry exhibition continues to 23rd March. Don’t miss it.
MORE GOOD NEWS.
WORDS BY THE WATER is coming to town again with an amazing programme of writers including - The Poet Laureate Simon Armitage; James Rebanks; Richard Coles; Joanna Harris; David Nichols and Lucy Mangan (my favourite Guardian columnist) and many more.
The arts are well represented with Gaugin (Sue Prideaux), Norman Cornish and Lowry (Cornish’s son in law), Winifred Nicholson’s rag rugs (her grandson) and Vermeer ( Stephen Matthews’ sonnets about this elusive artist.) and me showing a film about Percy Kelly.*
- IMPORTANT I gave 3 talks and the showing of a short film at Theatre by the Lake during the Kelly Scene and Unseen exhibition last year. All 3 were very quickly fully booked and many people were disappointed and asked me to do a repeat. Here is your opportunity. REDISCOVERING PERCY KELLY is part of Words by the Water programme on Sunday 16th March @ 4.00pm. I will be showing and talking about a short 8 mm film and a letter dated 1964 from Kelly to a Paris Gallery owner who was chasing him to show his work. It was recently found in house clearance in Brittany and amazingly was sent to me 18 months ago. It’s a fascinating tale. It has made me wonder what else will turn up unexpectedly.
You can book on line or at the theatre 017687 74411
You can get the programme on line wordsbythewaterkeswick.com
STOP PRESS Shipping Brow Gallery in Maryport has a new exhibition - Lino cuts by Cumbrian printmaker Peter Fenton - 5th – 23rd February. This friendly little gallery also has a beautiful permanent collection of works by Percy Kelly and William Mitchell. Open Wednesday – Sunday inclusive.