Gallery to offer Eric Tucker "Secret Lowry" limited edition prints

SINCE the death of Eric Tucker, Warrington’s ‘Secret Lowry’ in 2018, a small number of his paintings have been released for sale.

His family were astounded when they sold out in just four hours at prestigious Mayfair galleries in London.

The treasure trove of hidden work by Eric hit the headlines after his death, when his family discovered that every drawer, alcove, outbuilding, even the airing cupboard of his house was stuffed with nearly 400 paintings and sketches.

Eric had dreamed of being an artist, of having his work seen in exhibitions. To fulfil his dream, the small end-of-terrace house was opened to the public and as his brother Tony told the BBC “We thought the neighbours would come”. However, the news went viral and over 2000 people queued down the street for a glimpse.

Eric was immediately hailed as an important discovery in British art, leaving an enormous cultural legacy of scenes depicting the streets and pubs of north-west England. Various artists may have influenced him, but his style is very much his own and has been described as a “significant contribution to modern British art” by art historian Ruth Millington.

It has been widely reported that Eric only drew in secret and had never attended any art classes, but he was actually a regular attendee at Julie Colclough’s life drawing classes in Warrington. As Julie recalls “Eric was a superb draughtsman and observer. Even in the breaks, he would sometimes grab a scrap of paper and surreptitiously draw a quick sketch of one of the students.” Eric came to the classes for many years, often with his brother Tony and other pals with whom he shared tales of his youthful adventures.

Julie remembered, “Sadly during his last visits he would look at his hands in frustration when arthritis was taking hold and the pencil wouldn’t move as he wanted”.

Julie has had a long and successful career as an artist and has illustrated hundreds of books such as the Famous Five. Since opening her art gallery on Chester’s historic Watergate Row in 2019, Julie has sold her own distinctive paintings of north-west scenes, in addition to work from her travels through Europe. “I was absolutely delighted to be asked by Eric’s family if we would display some Fine Art Limited Edition prints of his best paintings. It is a privilege to continue sharing Eric’s story.”

The Julie Colclough gallery will have two images for sale, ‘Ragtatters Pony’ and ’Two Smokers’, each available in two sizes in small editions. Each fine art print is of the highest archival quality and is embossed and numbered individually. Julie Colclough Gallery, 59 Watergate Row South, Chester, CH1 2LE www.juliecolclough.com