EXHIBITION

Dennis Duckworth

(1911 – 2003) – A Retrospective

Haworth Art Gallery, Accrington

23rd September 2006  –  29th October 2006

Dennis Duckworth was born in Accrington  in 1911. He became a student of the Accrington School of Arts and Crafts. The life and landscape of his early life in the North of England became the subject of much of the artwork he produced throughout his life.

 

Leaving art school to train in the church ministry, he was keen to carry on with drawing and painting as circumstances permitted. His first pastoral role was in Preston, his first sermon preached on the outbreak of WWII. Early works around the 1930s and 40s reflect the war torn scenery, some painted on the cheap or folded paper that happened to be available at the time.

  

After the war Dennis, and his family moved to North London. Here, galleries and groups gave opportunities to exhibit and develop his works. His work within the Swedenborgian Church was often complimented by talks and seminars making use of his drawings and illustrations.

 

Having lived for over fifty years in London, and retiring from his official ministerial roles, Dennis spent more time back in the North, living part time between both Accrington and London. Right up until his death in 2003, he worked with enthusiasm on a proliferation of new pieces for exhibition and sale. The most recent of these displayed a fresh and vibrant use of colour in the depiction of local Lancashire scenery and were exhibited at the Haworth at the time.

 

Dennis Duckworth’s work has exhibited in:

 

Manchester City Art Gallery. Northern Artists Exhibitions

Manchester City Art Gallery. Lancashire Artists Exhibitions

Harris Art Gallery, Preston. Annual Exhibitions

Haworth Art Gallery, Accrington.

Bow House Gallery, North London

Camden Artists, North London.

St. Marylebone Parish Church Crypt, London. Solo Exhibition

Glencairn Museum and Art Gallery, Bryn Athyn, Philadelphia.

Works in private ownership in the USA, Australia and elsewhere.

 

“In my drawings and paintings I have tried to produce a new style that is English in its derivation and not over dependent on France for its inspiration and treatment. I have sought to use colour schemes and patterns that reflect our English surroundings and bring out the sharpness and clarity of the northern scene.”

 

“Much of my work is experimental in its style and treatment, and involves a considerable use of hard black Conté crayon with much shading, together with watercolour wash. Much play is made of the straight sharp edge of a line, contrasted with the soft shadings, giving a cubist or three dimensional-effect.”

This retrospective exhibition of Dennis Duckworth’s artwork aims to represent the range of subjects, styles and influences he developed throughout his life.

The works on show are taken from different periods but have been themed between three rooms under the headings of LIFE, LAND and SPIRIT: