THE Harrison Lord Gallery at Brighouse is continuing its run of solo exhibitions with the work this time of Barry Pickersgill, of Wetherby, a show which falls into two categories.
There’s the brilliant cartoon-like creations of the Dales People, somewhat akin to Beryl Cook’s, but in Barry’s own unique style.
Then there are some splendid street scenes, often by night, with wonderful impressions of how the lighting and the rain make their impression on roads and pavements.
Huddersfield’s Market Place is one of the locations bearing witness to the artist’s skills, where the treatment of figures is as good as that of the streets and buildings. St Helen’s Square, York, The Headrow and the Café Rouge, Leeds are among others.
Winter Light, York, finely lit, is a superbly realistic study of York Minster and its surrounding buildings. More locally the corner of Bethel Street, Brighouse, is another well-handled subject.
Caricatures get hilarious treatment in Barry’s Dales People. In Catch of the Day, for instance, the wife looks on from the river bank as her husband catches his fishing line in the back of his trousers.
In Horsing About, Best of Breed, where the faces of other humans or animals are concerned, there’s a fine degree of humour, while At The End of the Day, the farmer and his wife relax in their living room with their feet on a pair of sheep, while other animals look on.
Dancing on Ice is another joyous creation – nothing as dainty or exciting as the TV programme here – but the bumptious couple enjoying their tour around the frozen pond as ducks and dogs look on.
Barry Pickersgill has made a name for himself as a painter, graphic artist, cartoonist and illustrator.
He is well-known for his work on major TV productions and films. As a freelance artist he created cartoons for a large number of Yorkshire Television drama series in the late 70s and early 80s.
The exhibition continue until April 8.
