Today's Object of the Week is a collection of artworks with an element of social commentary.
A County Durham man who turned his back on a career in heavy industry to become an art teacher has opened his first solo exhibition.
David Baillie, who paints in his front room in Bishop Auckland, won the opportunity to have a solo exhibition of his work at Arts Centre Washington (ACW) during the venue’s 2022 Spotlight Open exhibition.
Sunderland-born David, 72, left Ryhope Grammar School to work in heavy engineering as a turner on very large laithes – starting at Rolls Royce in Sunderland.
“I started work in heavy industry, but as time went on I wanted more from life," he said.
"I’d always had an interest in art so decided to go to Sunderland Art College where I gained a BA (Hons) in Fine Art. I then went to Manchester University where I completed my PGCE teaching certificate.
David went on to have a long career as an arts teacher, working in a range of County Durham comprehensive schools as well as at private schools in South Tyneside and Teesside.
“I’d been painting all my life, but when I retired I painted much more and my work also changed and became more precise," he said.
“My work isn’t just decorative, it means something. Themes include pollution, industrialisation and how capitalism is affecting the planet. I’m a staunch Labour lad and much of my work has an element of social commentary – I paint about things that bother me, that upset me.
“I tend to spend a month or two on each painting, but sometimes it may just take me a couple of days. This can depend on the size of course, and I like to create large pieces of work as I enjoy the physical nature of painting. I have to stand to paint, and I’ve always loved the physicality of creating my work.
“I’ve always been a grafter and work hard to produce my paintings. l don’t make it easy for myself with my method of working – I don’t have a studio and paint in my front room - but l enjoy the process.”
David said his work is inspired by ‘contemporary realism’ and his technique and colour palette were developed over years of teaching classes.
One of David’s paintings was on display as part of an exhibition at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art – and it sold.
“That was an amazing feeling – selling my first painting. I’m also really proud of my first solo exhibition at Arts Centre Washington,” said David.
Previous Objects:
- A piece of 'Great Escape' history is welcomed back to its rightful home
- Why this lost historic house built by infamous Bishop Auckland man was never lived in
- Step back 11,000 years with Britain's oldest house recreated in museum gardens
He now lives near Bishop Auckland, but has a long connection with Washington having worked with schools to create kites for the old Washington Kite Festival, that later became the International Friendship Festival.
He went on to establish a kite-making company, though now solely focuses on his painting.
David’s free Peoplescape exhibition will be at ACW until October 26 and for more information, go to http://artscentrewashington.co.uk
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