Event Item: 00086

Peter Brown: Bath and Beyond

Exhibition: 5th Apr 2008 to 8th Jun 2008

Source: http://www.victoriagal.org.uk

Over thirty new oil paintings celebrating the streets of Bath and nearest beaches, captured in all sorts of weather, will be on display at Bath and North East Somerset Council's Victoria Art Gallery. 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 Grand Parade, Old Bond Street, Milsom Street experiencing sunshine and showers and a storm approaching the beach at Weston-super-Mare.

This is the fourth exhibition by Peter Brown to be shown at the Council-run Victoria Art Gallery. The first three 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 and Beyond'.

Jon Benington, Manager of the Victoria Art Gallery, said: "it is refreshing to see Pete alternating streetscapes with views of the British seaside - a relatively new departure, but also a logical one in that these are of course places where crowds of people congregate, and Pete is a very sociable painter. The pictures are anything but static scenes, recording as they do places that are populated, alive, throbbing with movement, constantly changing in response to different light and weather conditions."

Peter Brown says of his work: "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."

Although Peter now enjoys a national reputation and has recently completed a stint as 'Painter in Residence' at the Savoy Hotel in London, he can still be glimpsed painting 'en plein air' around the city that is his home.

Peter Brown came to Bath in 1986 to study a foundation course in art. He then continued his training in Manchester and Greenwich before returning to the city in 1993. He is a member of the New English Art Club, the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and The Pastel Society. He regularly wins awards for his work and is represented in collections across Europe, the USA, Australia and Saudi Arabia. As well as regularly exhibiting with the NEAC, the RBA and the Pastel Society, Peter has been a finalist with the Hunting art prizes since 1997 and was shown at an Arts Club Award Winners exhibition in 2005.

The exhibition is sponsored by Knight Frank estate agents and is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue.

The Victoria Art Gallery, near Pulteney Bridge in Bath, is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 1.30pm to 5pm. The Gallery is closed on Monday. Admission is free.