Special guest given walk and talk at exhibition
MP DAN Jarvis attended a guided tour of the Cooper Gallery’s High Noon to Midnight exhibition on Friday.
The dual exhibition is by the wellknown artist and sculptor Graham Ibbeson and his cousin and poet, Paul Thwaites.
It features a range of portrait-style drawings and sculptures, accompanied by a poem which reflects on what is seen in the drawing and aims to bring each of the images to life.
Graham said: “Most of the drawings were done in lockdown when I was recovering from major surgery due to pancreatic cancer.”
Paul added: “I responded to Graham’s artwork with poems.
“He got in touch with me via email and sent me the drawings, asking me to interpret them, so all of the poems were produced separately – he kind of gave me a blank canvas to do whatever I wanted to do, it was only when we put them together that we found that they go together really well.”
MP Dan Jarvis enjoyed his experience at the exhibition: “It has been really inspiring and enjoyable.
“It’s been very thoughtful as well – it’s taken me back to my childhood and it’s been a real pleasure to be here with Graham and Paul to better understand and appreciate the work that they have done, and I very much hope that people will take the opportunity to come along and have a look for themselves.”
The pair’s work has also impressed many members of the public.
Paul said: “I was just looking through the visitors book and lots of people have left great feedback.
“Lots of people have said the art work’s accessible, poems are accessible, and that the poems have got the same prominence as the drawings.”
The success of the exhibition is special to them both.
The artwork is all based around Graham’s family and friends.
Graham said: “I conjure up observations from past, present and occasionally the pub, to bring a narrative together.
“I’m a figurative artist, with a keen interest in human nature, relationships, and the little absurdities of life that bring humour to the fore.
“It’s nice because we grew up together – we’re cousins – so Paul also knows everyone in my drawings.
“I’m the eldest, and Paul’s the youngest, so I used to kind of torment him to death when he was a kid, but now he’s bigger than me.”
The pair will be hosting guided tours of their exhibition from 10.30am to midday tomorrow, on September 17 and 24, and October 1.
Paul added: “Barnsley Council have also published a book to go with the exhibition called High Noon to Midnight, which you can buy in the Cooper Gallery, and all is going well with it – we’ve had a really good reaction to it.”
The exhibition will be held in the Cooper Gallery until October 1.