A ‘remarkable’ collection of ‘lost’ Arthur Berry artworks have been rediscovered following a public appeal.
Daily Focus supported a campaign to encourage people with artworks by the celebrated Potteries artist, playwright and poet to come forward with their pieces to allow them to be recorded as part of the Arthur Berry 100 centenary celebrations.
Several original paintings and drawings – many unseen for decades – have now been identified, authenticated and documented by Burslem’s Barewall Art Gallery thanks to support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players.
Artworks include Albert Woolwork and Rev Ivan Cheekle, which both date back to the 1980s and were gifted by Berry to retired actor Stephen Granville after he played both characters in two New Vic Theatre productions of his plays.
Stephen said: “The paintings depict characters I had the privilege of embodying in Arthur Berry’s plays.
“Arthur was utterly mesmerising and inspiring — a force of creativity who brought the world of the Potteries to life through both words and images. Having worked with him and performed his roles on stage, it’s deeply moving to see his paintings come and take their rightful place in the record.
“Each piece feels like a conversation with the man himself.”
Sculptor Simon Manby, formerly a lecturer in sculpture at Burslem School of Art alongside Berry, submitted two pieces for documentation – Nude from 1980 and Well-Matched Couple from 1992, both of which were purchased at Leek’s Foxlowe Arts Centre in 2016.
Amanda Bromley, Director of Barewall Art Gallery, said: “The response to our appeal has been incredible.
“We’ve seen paintings that haven’t been viewed publicly for over 40 years, and each one tells its own story about Arthur Berry’s connection to place, people and everyday life in the Potteries.
“This project has not only brought these works back into the light but also helped us preserve them digitally for future generations.”
Arthur Berry was known as “the Lowry of the Potteries” and his work vividly captured working-class life in North Staffordshire.
- Barewall Art Gallery has been appointed as the recent custodian of The End House, an Arthur Berry oil painting, which is being handed over to the Potteries Museum & Art Galler. It has been bequeathed to the museum by William Carr BA and is believed to be one of a triptych of three paintings. Barewall is appealing for information from anyone who may own or know the whereabouts of the two other works in this series.
- Barewall continues to welcome further discoveries, particularly pieces sold or gifted before 2012. To get in touch, contact Amanda Bromley via shop@barewall.co.uk or call 07932 717718.
