50 year anthology exhibition

Leamington artist Alan Belcher is about to hold an exhibition of his artwork in Cambridge Town Hall.

He has been painting for the five decades since arriving in New Zealand from England with his family.

The exhibition will be unique as it is the first time a large anthological collection of Belcher’s artwork will have been put on display in one place anywhere in the world.

In his home, where he lives with wife Beverley, he stores an impressive number of oil paintings created in his personal studios over the years.

‘‘It’s a very varied sort of subject matter,’’ he said.

‘‘I didn’t stick to one particular thing.’’

Initially Belcher liked to paint referring to the Old Masters in order to hone his skills.

He ended up diversifying and being commissioned to create art, including takes on New Zealand subjects.

‘‘I like doing Ma¯ori portraits,’’ Belcher said.

‘‘I’ve done landscapes now.

‘‘A lot of those are from England, and New Zealand as well.’’

Belcher felt he had developed a distinctive style over the years, leading into his decision to open the Cambridge exhibition on his 83rd birthday.

Over 200 of his oil paintings spanning his years as an artist will be on show on the weekend of May 19 and 20 from 9.30am to 5pm, with free entry. quite a few