ARTWORK from six more visual artists from the district is currently being shown on Bradford’s big screen.
The digital showcase is part of the ongoing Not Just Hockney exhibition on the City Park screen which showcases a different set of artists every two months.
Colin Neville, from Silsden, set up the Not Just Hockney project to highlight the work of artists across the district.
Mr Neville said: “Three past artists have been matched with three of the present day in terms of one or more of style, subject, or art medium.
“The presentation illustrates and emphasises the rich visual art history in the district and that this legacy is carried forward into the present by modern day artists – another good reason for choosing the city and district for the City of Culture year in 2025.”
This presentation runs until the end of December and involves work from six local artist, who are: Barker Wright and Catherine Bartle, Ernest Aris and Chris Dunn, and Charles Wells and Beryl Robinson.
All six artists, past and present, are profiled on the Not Just Hockney website at notjusthockney.info.
He added: “Animal paintings have always been popular, and Wright Barker, who died in 1941, is matched with Catherine Bartle of Wilsden. Both artists show their affinity to the subject by the care and attention given to capturing the detail of the animals featured in their work.
“Anthropomorphic animals have also long been a feature of children’s book illustrations and both Ernest Aris, who died in 1963, and Chris Dunn both offer some beautiful examples of this timeless genre.
“Finally, art has always been a powerful medium for capturing and expressing complex feelings and ideas in a visual way. Two local artists present good examples of this. Charles Wells, who died in 1990, was an art teacher in Keighley and in his own time produced a range of impressionistic or dream-like paintings that captured memories from past episodes in his life.
“Beryl Robinson, who had trained and worked in ceramics for most of her life, had never painted before the Covid pandemic struck. But the impact of the virus globally led her to produce a body of over 100 striking and surreal paintings, each attempting to convey her horror at the impact of the epidemic on individuals and their families.”
Wright Barker (1843 – 1941) and Catherine Bartle
Wright Barker - painter
Wright Barker was born in Bradford. He worked in a local textile mill, but also studied art in his own time. By 1891 had moved to Nottinghamshire where he became a successful artist. He painted landscapes, genre scenes and animal studies, which were widely exhibited.
Catherine Bartle - watercolour artist
“I worked for 40 years in inner city Bradford as a community nurse, midwife and health visitor. Having retired I am now able to concentrate on art. I enjoy painting with watercolour and coloured pencil and I take commissions for a variety of subjects, including landscapes and animal portraits.”
Ernest Aris (1882 -1963) and Chris Dunn
Ernest Aris - children’s book illustrator
The illustrator and author, Ernest Aris, spent his formative years in Bradford, including his art training at Bradford Art School. During his working life he is estimated to have written and illustrated over 170 children's and natural history books, as well as illustrating over 250 books for other authors.
Chris Dunn - children’s book illustrator
“I work as a children’s book illustrator, painting anthropomorphic animal worlds in watercolour. Taking inspiration from 19th century to early 20th century artists, I approach the stories I illustrate in a realistic manner in the hope these imaginative scenes appear convincing and instil a sense of wonder in the children (and adults) who view my illustrated books.”
Charles Wells (1910-1990) and Beryl Robinson
Charles Wells - painter
Charles Wells lived at Hainsworth, near Keighley, and taught art and crafts at a local secondary school. He was also a painter of impressionistic and surreal scenes that connected with past memories and episodes in his own life. Although widely exhibited, he was reluctant to sell any of his work.
Beryl Robinson - artist/painter
“Before Covid struck I had never painted before. But since 2020 I have painted over 100 scenes as a personal response to the virus. My paintings are strange, I know, but I hope they show the absolute foreboding I felt at the onset of the pandemic and depict the virus in its many disgusting threatening forms.”
The Not Just Hockney exhibition runs every day at 12.30pm on the big screen in Bradford’s City Park.
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