Exceptional exhibition opens in Northampton
Published Tuesday 1st September 09
The larger than life theatrical works of the late great Northampton-born artist Henry Bird (1909-2000) are to go on show at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery.
The exhibition is part of the town's summer-long heritage festival on Saturday (29 August).
'The Exceptional Henry Bird' celebrates the life of this extraordinary artist who was, someone remarked at his memorial service, an institution.
Henry was born on 15 July 1909 in Green Street, Northampton. His father was a baker and his mother came from a family of shoemakers. It was a poor environment, which Henry never forgot. He became a chorister in the Norman Church, and once said that the beauty of the St Peter's capitals and the skill with which they were carved helped point to the kind of life he wanted.
He was only 11 when he began to study part time at the art school, taking factory and office jobs to pay his way. Encouraged by the principal, Lewis Duckett, he went on to gain a scholarship to the Royal College of Art, where he won most of the big prizes.
In 1936 he was appointed lecturer in art history at the University College of Wales in Aberystwyth. Very soon after he took up the Aberystwyth appointment, which he held for five years, he and the actress Freda Jackson married. They met at Northampton Repertory Theatre and their careers ran in parallel for some time. Henry became a scene painter in charge of the studio producing sets for the Old Vic and Sadler's Wells before returning to Northampton in 1950 to take up a teaching post at the school of art.
Henry painted a number of substantial mural schemes in the area, including the chapel of St Crispin Hospital, Denton Church and the fire curtain at the Royal Theatre which features cameo portraits of his wife and the flamboyant movie legend Errol Flynn who worked with the Northampton Repertory Company in the early 1930s.
Although Henry probably saw himself principally as a mural painter, his drawings are among his best work.
Both his murals and drawings can be seen at the exhibition opening in Northampton next week. Works include a series of rather touching drawings and paintings of his family that are rarely seen by the public and a number of his famous female nudes, which he was particularly partial to drawing - preferring them big, round and beautiful.
Councillor Paul Varnsverry, cabinet member for heritage and culture, said:"I have viewed Henry Bird's wonderful skills at the former St Crispin Hospital Chapel in Upton. His work was simply outstanding and brought its subjects to life. This exhibition, which celebrates his life and work, is a must for those who appreciate the talents of this fine artist and the way in which he has enriched Northampton's culture."
The Exceptional Henry Bird will be showing at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery from 29 August to 11 October. Entry is free.
For details of other Shoe Town Festival events visit ./museums
'The Exceptional Henry Bird' celebrates the life of this extraordinary artist who was, someone remarked at his memorial service, an institution.
Henry was born on 15 July 1909 in Green Street, Northampton. His father was a baker and his mother came from a family of shoemakers. It was a poor environment, which Henry never forgot. He became a chorister in the Norman Church, and once said that the beauty of the St Peter's capitals and the skill with which they were carved helped point to the kind of life he wanted.
He was only 11 when he began to study part time at the art school, taking factory and office jobs to pay his way. Encouraged by the principal, Lewis Duckett, he went on to gain a scholarship to the Royal College of Art, where he won most of the big prizes.
In 1936 he was appointed lecturer in art history at the University College of Wales in Aberystwyth. Very soon after he took up the Aberystwyth appointment, which he held for five years, he and the actress Freda Jackson married. They met at Northampton Repertory Theatre and their careers ran in parallel for some time. Henry became a scene painter in charge of the studio producing sets for the Old Vic and Sadler's Wells before returning to Northampton in 1950 to take up a teaching post at the school of art.
Henry painted a number of substantial mural schemes in the area, including the chapel of St Crispin Hospital, Denton Church and the fire curtain at the Royal Theatre which features cameo portraits of his wife and the flamboyant movie legend Errol Flynn who worked with the Northampton Repertory Company in the early 1930s.
Although Henry probably saw himself principally as a mural painter, his drawings are among his best work.
Both his murals and drawings can be seen at the exhibition opening in Northampton next week. Works include a series of rather touching drawings and paintings of his family that are rarely seen by the public and a number of his famous female nudes, which he was particularly partial to drawing - preferring them big, round and beautiful.
Councillor Paul Varnsverry, cabinet member for heritage and culture, said:"I have viewed Henry Bird's wonderful skills at the former St Crispin Hospital Chapel in Upton. His work was simply outstanding and brought its subjects to life. This exhibition, which celebrates his life and work, is a must for those who appreciate the talents of this fine artist and the way in which he has enriched Northampton's culture."
The Exceptional Henry Bird will be showing at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery from 29 August to 11 October. Entry is free.
For details of other Shoe Town Festival events visit ./museums
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