Some of the works in Eric Ward’s exhibition, from the Belgrave Gallery website
There’s still time to catch Eric Ward’s exhibition at St Ives’ Belgrave Gallery, which is running until 4th July.
Born and bred in St Ives, Eric captures life around the town with a local’s eye for detail. “You get up every day and there’s something new,” he told the audience at an online private view, his eyes twinkling with enthusiasm.
His uncle painted in town in the 1930s and 40s — often wearing suits! — and this clearly provided inspiration for a wonderful artistic career to come. He is a member of the St Ives Society of Artists and the Chelsea Arts Club.
Another great source of inspiration is Borlase Smart, a marine landscape painter who, like Ward, not only observed and painted local life, but also threw himself into local affairs, as a town councillor and sea scout leader, among other things. Ward says he admires and uses Borlase Smart palette, which is plain to see in this new show.
Ward can draw on a rich vein of experiences over the years, with careers as a fisherman, harbourmaster, and lifeboatman, taking up a position as coxswain in 1989. He retired from the RNLI in 2000 after 36 years with the charity.
