Ann Parkin's idea for a series of portraits celebrating the working man came following some roofing maintenance. Watching the two workmen at their job, she realised the value of the skilled tradesmen, who can do what we generally can’t do and who form an essential part of our community. After finding my first two ‘sitters’, I needed to look no further for others than my own village of Thurgoland, where a plethora of tradesmen seem to abound. Most of Ann's portraits are of men who have worked at her house at some time or another, or who she has come to know over a period of time.
The portraits, which took 3 years to complete, were painted as a kind of social record of Thurgoland's tradesmen. They also honour the ordinary working man – the skilled working men who are often needed, largely unsung and sometimes taken for granted - the men who often are not recognised outside their sphere of work. These sort of people don't often get their portrait painted or hung with the great and good in our National galleries – but Ann is doing her part to rectify this.
Ann has asked fellow members of Pennine Artists to join her in the 'Lines of Work' exhibition at the Cooper Gallery opening on Saturday 11th January at 11 a.m. The other artists have taken the title and interpreted it in their own unique way. The work on show is diverse in subject and media. The exhibition continues until Saturday 1st March.
Image: Craig Wragg, Electrician by Ann Parkin
The portraits, which took 3 years to complete, were painted as a kind of social record of Thurgoland's tradesmen. They also honour the ordinary working man – the skilled working men who are often needed, largely unsung and sometimes taken for granted - the men who often are not recognised outside their sphere of work. These sort of people don't often get their portrait painted or hung with the great and good in our National galleries – but Ann is doing her part to rectify this.
Ann has asked fellow members of Pennine Artists to join her in the 'Lines of Work' exhibition at the Cooper Gallery opening on Saturday 11th January at 11 a.m. The other artists have taken the title and interpreted it in their own unique way. The work on show is diverse in subject and media. The exhibition continues until Saturday 1st March.
Image: Craig Wragg, Electrician by Ann Parkin
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