More than 100 new oil paintings and drawings of Bath, captured in all sorts of weather, will be on display at the Victoria Art Gallery from Saturday 8th February to 27th March 2014.
Created by Bath-based artist Peter Brown (more commonly known as ‘Pete the Street’ – due to his habit of working outdoors come rain, sleet or shine) the works of art include scenes of Widcombe, Laura Place, Hedgemead Park, Lansdown and Milsom Street and experiencing sunshine, showers, rain and snow.
“Keep the home fires burning” is the fifth exhibition by Peter Brown to be shown at the Victoria Art Gallery. The first four were so popular, with local residents and visitors to the area alike, that Peter has been invited back to once again show his unique interpretations of Bath.
Jon Benington, Manager of the Victoria Art Gallery, said: “It is refreshing to see Pete alternating Bath streetscapes with views of local villages where he is doubtless less interrupted by passers-by, but having said that he is a very sociable painter and loves a bit of banter.”
Peter Brown has also produced an audio-guide commentary for some of the paintings in his show – offering visitors a personal guided tour that is free with every admission. This is a unique feature of the exhibition as he has never recorded an audio-guide for any of his shows before.
He said: “Bath was the city really which inspired me. I owe a lot to the city and it’s still inspiring me. The thread in all my paintings is an interest in light. I relish the variety of our British climate and dramatic changes in the weather.
“When it rains the whole composition’s transformed and when you get a really good heavy rain I get very excited about how Bath changes. I try and protect the canvas as much as I can and then I really have very limited time to actually get the paint on. I stop painting when I’m absolutely soaked through. Although the energy of it will have come in the pouring rain, I’ll come back on an overcast day to work on the detail.”
Despite being in demand globally; undertaking projects in Paris, Barcelona and Udaipur, India, Peter never tires of painting his home city in all seasons. He came to Bath in 1986 to study a foundation course in art. He then continued his training in Manchester and Greenwich before returning to Bath in 1993.
Councillor Ben Stevens (Lib-Dem, Widcombe), Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, said: “It’s always a pleasure for Bath & North East Somerset Council to showcase local talent at the Victoria Art Gallery and we proudly welcome back Peter Brown for this fifth exhibition of his awe-inspiring work.”
The exhibition is sponsored by Knight Frank estate agents and is supported by Messum’s.
It will be accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue (available February 2014) which will be on sale during the show for a special price of £10.00, (after the show, £15.00).
Admission to this exhibition will cost £2 including a free audio-guide. Children enter free. All works will be for sale.