FEATURES ARCHIVE

The Paintings of Helen Bradley Late in Life
Like most grandmothers, Helen Bradley was keen for her grandchildren to understand just how different her childhood was to theirs. It was a desire that led her, aged 65, to become a painter, making the experiences of a little girl growing up in Edwardian Lancashire into the subject of her art. Late in life she had struck a chord; embarking upon a body of work whose warmth, charm and individuality would bring her international recognition.

At the Museum
Bradley had been passionate about art and painting her whole life but after winning the John Platt Scholarship to Oldham art school in 1913, aged only 13, the First World War broke out and disrupted her studies. Married to the painter and textile designer Thomas Bradley in 1926, she devoted the next forty years of her life to her family. However, her passion remained and she would take trips down to London including visits to the British Museum where she was transfixed by early Chinese paintings and the collection of Persian miniatures. Bradley’s own atmospheric and colourful landscapes were inspired by the works of Dutch old master painters such as Hendrick Avercamp (1585–1634), but she was also experimental when it came to techniques. Details such as brickwork would be achieved by using the end of the paintbrush, cutlery or even her fingers which she would have seen in works by 20th century artists.

Miss Carter (Who Wore Pink)
Helen Bradley’s paintings are accompanied by short hand-written stories recounting the events depicted. This November we feature five works including Blackpool Pleasure Beach, which reveals a vast Lowry-esque beach scene. On the back of the work Bradley writes:

“Come along, the tides are coming in’ called mother, but George and I are busying watching Willie Murgatroyd being spanked for getting very wet…”

Another painting They sang carols in front of Judson’s Shop depicts a scene in Bradley’s hometown of Lees, near Oldham. This delightful scene shows everyone, including Miss Carter (who wore pink), made famous by the books of Bradley’s stories and illustrations first published in 1971, singing Christmas carols. Described as ‘naïve’, even ‘primitive’, Bradley’s paintings of subjects ranging from days out in Oldham to holidays in Blackpool paint the perfect picture of an Edwardian childhood. Helen Bradley met L.S. Lowry in 1960 and was encouraged by him to create a narrative style of painting based on her childhood memories. The November sale also features work by the great master himself, L.S. Lowry.