We couldn’t make the last exhibition due to circumstances beyond our control, but this year when the invitation arrived it was ‘fixed’ into out diary!
The Wapping Group of maritime artists is a small select band of around thirty artists who are elected into the group as and when places become available – this has always been the case since the beginning when moves were made to form just before the outbreak of World War II, delayed until around 1948. They always have a waiting list, but these days there are a few what are termed ‘candidates’.
Karl Terry’s work caught my eye with a view across the moorings of the Belton Way Small Boat Club down by the cockle sheds in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, close to home. The boat in the bottom right is either a Finesse 21, or Lady Beatrice, a 21 foot gaff cutter once owned by Laurie Harbottell who designed and built her for his own use. The hull design became the forerunner of the Finesse 21 built by Alan Platt.
I continued to wend my way round, slowly, looking and drinking in the painted views. Many of the works were of familiar places.
Wandering on I passed a picture I really liked! Moving on, there were more views of interest and familiarity. The boat yard at Hoo popped up, wit the bow of the spritsail barge Marjorie and a concrete lighter!
I soon came across an artist we know well (he lives close by) and one of his works was a 40th wedding anniversary present from my dear mate…
We both love Alan’s works in watercolour – they are evocative and sometimes ‘hazy’ allowing the eye to wander and find those little details deftly captured…
Some of the works seemed to have a little too much ‘pink’, ‘yellow’ and ‘orange’ in them, but they seemed to be getting hard looks from many of the punters around.
And this was the picture that we took a fancy to … St Paul’s seems to float over Queenhithe on the other side of the river. The cranes adds a ‘time and place’ aspect: I believe this is part of the Thames Tunnel works currently ongoing…
All in all we enjoyed the experience. and it is always a joy to view the type of art one appreciates with understanding.
The pictures are on view at The Mall Gallery, just beyond Trafalgar Square until Sunday 15th March.