The work of local artist, Laurence Fish, whose studio was in Winchcombe, will be celebrated at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway this September.

Now taking place on the 18th and 19th September, the show was postponed in 2020 and again in 2021, with the show originally taking place on the 10th and 11th July 2021.

Three new films by Richard Suckling, celebrating the railway and aviation art from Laurence Fish, will also be screened during the event.

Laurence Fish was commissioned to create art to promote destinations served by rail.

Produced in the 1960s, the art was displayed throughout the UK and are now seen as collector’s items.

The event will take place at Winchcombe station on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, with some of his drawings, as well as an exploding bar of chocolate.

Says Jean Bray, the late artist’s wife who is putting on the show in conjunction with the GWSR: “It was in poster art for British Railways that Laurence perhaps made his mark with some stunning if idealised paintings of holiday destinations, frequently featuring attractive ‘pin-up’ girls.  That would never be permitted today!

“Most were produced in full colour while he created compelling duo-tone images too, for example promoting the Pullman services of the Southern Region.

“Such posters were a very familiar sight throughout the country but originals are extremely rare today and often command four-figure sums at specialist railwayana or art auctions.  One of his posters won the 1960 National Outdoor Advertising Award.”

Jean has produced a fine-art book – ‘Pick Up A Pencil’ and will also be signing copies of the book at the event.

She adds: “Laurence was a romantic with an eager, inquiring mind which really translated into his art.  Nevertheless, he was also quite a modest and private man which is perhaps why he isn’t as well-known as he should be.”

Richard Johnson, chairman of GWSR Plc which operates the popular Cheltenham Racecourse-Broadway heritage railway commented: “I’m thrilled that we can do a little to promote the work of Laurence Fish through the ‘Posters from the Steam Age’ exhibition, especially as during his later years his studio was in Winchcombe.

“It’s unlikely that his posters appeared on our railway stations as they had closed from 1960 just as Laurence’s work was being widely commissioned by British Railways, so this is a chance to right that omission!”

Where Next?

RAILADVENT NEWS
The latest railway news
RailAdvent Plus
Discounts, videos, pictures and more!
FREE NEWSLETTERS
Signup to our daily and weekly newsletters
RAILADVENT SHOP
Railway Prints, DVD’s / Blu-Ray’s, books and more
LOCOSTOP COMMUNITY
Come and share your railway pictures
UK STEAM INFO
Upcoming mainline steam tours/loco movements
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway
Visit their website