Two new art exhibitions will start on July 12 at the Fishing Heritage Centre.
Two exhibitions showcasing local artwork are to go on show at the Fishing Heritage Centre, Grimsby, this July.
The first of these exhibitions, called ‘Seascapes: The Doughty Collection and More’ is made up of a selection of maritime and seascape paintings from a collection of artworks held by the council’s museum service. This collection is made up of around 300 pieces and is held on behalf of the people of Grimsby.
‘Seascapes’ will showcase the range of techniques artists have used to capture the image of ships, ports and the sea. The works on display range from classic 19th century oil paintings of grand, wooden sailing vessels to modernist, highly coloured paintings of Grimsby's docks in the 1970s and 1980s. It will showcase a mixture of national and local artists.
A selection of model ships from the museum service’s collection will also be on display in the gallery, to accompany the paintings. The collection ranges from 18th century models of sailing vessels made of bone, through to replicas of the 1950s trawlers that were the lifeblood of Grimsby.
Mark Tindle, collections and access officer, said: “Many of the works in this exhibition are part of the Doughty Collection. This bequest of maritime paintings and ship models was left to the people of Grimsby in 1941 in the will of local businessmen, Wilfred Vere Doughty.
“The collection of art had been put together by Wilfred and his father, Sir George Doughty, a noted industrialist who also served as Mayor and MP for the town. His bequest has formed the basis of the town's museum collection and contains some superb paintings and ship models. It is only right that the exhibition be named for the Doughtys, as their collection will be at the core of this exhibition.”
Mark added: “Some of the pieces that will feature in the exhibition have been selected by members of the council's staff, who have also been generous enough to offer explanation as to why that piece of work was their favourite. We hope that the public will also take their chance to comment on the paintings and pick their favourite too.”
‘Seascapes: The Doughty Collection and More’ will be on show in the Muriel Barker Gallery of the Fishing Heritage Centre, from Saturday, July 10, to Sunday, September 5, and entrance is free.
The second exhibition ‘George and Reuben: Pierhead Painters’ will be on show from Saturday, July 10, to Monday, September 6, and showcases the works of George Race of Grimsby and Reuben Chappell of Goole.
Both men lived around the turn of the 20th century and both were pierhead painters. They would have sat at the docks painting and sketching vessels in the bustling docks of Grimsby and Goole so that they could raise enough money to support their families.
George Race specialised in creating small-scale oil paintings of trawlers, which he would sell, often for only a few shillings, to the senior crewmen of the vessels.
Though never formerly trained, Race had a natural gift for painting and the trawlers in his works are beautifully and accurately detailed. Over his lifetime, he must have painted hundreds of works, of which North East Lincolnshire Council owns about a dozen.
Reuben Chappell's works were more varied, perhaps reflecting the greater range of shipping in Goole, including sailing vessels, coastal barges and steam-powered trading ships.
As with Race, Rueben Chappell supported his entire family with his painting, never showing his work in a gallery, but still producing many hundreds of works, usually to sell to seamen. His works were often painted at great speed, with Chappell working long into the night to make sure that his commission didn’t sail away without his painting.
The exhibition has been created in conjunction with Goole Museum and Art Gallery, which is managed by East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
‘George and Reuben: Pierhead Painters’ will be on show in the Monkey, Pig and Pie Gallery during its time at the Fishing Heritage Centre and entrance is free.
Councillor Leanor Pidgen, portfolio holder for culture, leisure and tourism, said: “These exhibitions compliment each other perfectly and will showcase some of the fine artwork held in the town’s own collection, thanks to the Doughty bequest.
“They will also shed light on the fascinating practise of pierhead painters who historically made their money by painting the ships that visited their local docks.
“Both exhibitions offer a fantastic opportunity for local people to view these collections and see a selection of locally and nationally created works that give a real insight into North East Lincolnshire’s maritime heritage.”
For more information about either exhibition, call Mark Tindle, collections and access officer, on (01472) 323556 or email mark.tindle@nelincs.gov.uk