The ‘Inspired by Becker’ exhibition, first held in 2013, is now run by the Inspired by Becker Art Society as an annual event in Wenhaston. It brings together over 30 East Anglian artists to celebrate and honour Becker’s body of work by presenting their own artwork for sale.

Jane Hodgson, The fluff is flying, oil on canvas, 2015

Who was Harry Becker?
Harry Becker lived in Wenhaston during the early years of the 20th century and was probably the last artist of note to record the work of the farming community in England before the advent of the tractor. His work is much admired by the artistic community for its immediacy and truth. Impressionistic in style, he had an unrivalled ability to capture the relentless toil of rural life. ‘Inspired by Becker’ acknowledges the debt owed to a painter who died in poverty and whose work was forgotten for almost 70 years. He died here in 1928.

Mike Holtom, Sole Bay 68, oil on canvas, 2015

Inspired by Becker Exhibition, over four days: 31 July to 3rd August 2015
St. Peter’s Wenhaston will again host this exhibition which combines fine art with warm heartedness. Please make a note in your diary and be one of the hundreds (literally) of people who enjoy whiling away an hour or two in the beautiful church enjoying the work we present in honour of Harry. Artists’ commission on sales contributes to a donation we make to St Peter’s.

Emma Green, April Showers, 2015, oil on canvas

Conducted walks
If you have picked up a Waveney and Blyth Arts programme for the 2015 summer season, you may notice that two walks are planned to coincide with the exhibition period. These should be booked through W&BA. On Saturday 1st August 2015, a walk through Becker’s landscape in the Blyth Valley will take in beautiful scenery and hopefully some of the creatures we are privileged to share it with. The walk will end with breakfast in the old Church Room in Wenhaston.

Ruth McCabe, Tired ewe, watercolour on paper, 2015

On Sunday evening as darkness falls, the second walk will be led by bat expert Alan Marshall from Suffolk Wildlife Trust, beginning in a candlelit St. Peter’s with a short talk on the mediaeval Doom and the resident batty congregation(!), and taking an easy stroll round Church Common for encounters with more bats.

Becky Munting, Rook, acrylic on vintage manuscript, 2015

Scything and sketching
On Saturday 1st August 2015, weather permitting, the Wenhaston Commons Group will turn out for a scything demo somewhere in Wenhaston. Exhibition artists will be on hand for visitors of all ages who would like to try some sketching. Materials will be provided. Who knows, you may turn out to be the next Harry Becker!! One thing run by for sure: you will discover how hard it is to draw people on the move!!

Annie Brundrit, Tell Tale Hill, etching on paper, 2015

Since the first exhibition in 2013, we have been overwhelmed and delighted with the support both from artists wanting to exhibit and from the public visiting the show.

The Inspired by Becker Art Society will run future exhibitions, continuing our celebration of Wenhaston’s connection to Harry Becker. Artist members can enjoy sketching throughout the year in our plein air sketch group, and we’d also love to hear from anyone who’d like to support this event. Please contact ibbartsociety@gmail.com for further details.

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CONTACT ibbartsociety@gmail.com for details of the Inspired by Becker exhibition and of membership.