A beautiful reminder of a special friendship
Cumbrian Brothers, reprinted a decade after its first appearance, is a beautiful reminder of a special friendship. The book shines a light on the relationship between Norman Nicholson and the Workington-born artist Percy Kelly (1918-1993), each an enthusiastic admirer of the other's work. It is a collection of letters sent by Kelly to Nicholson between 1971 and 1987, the correspondence illustrated by paintings and drawings in Kelly's unique style. Sadly, only one half of the correspondence has survived, but the letters sent by Kelly and retained by Nicholson offer a valuable insight into the thoughts and motivations of both men. There were, of course, many similarities. Not just as 'Cumbrian brothers' (Kelly's phrase from this correspondence) but as observers of the same communities in the same era and from a very similar perspective. If Nicholson had been an artist, one can imagine him painting like Kelly.
The book, edited and introduced by David A Cross, shows how much the two men supported each other, each having a unique understanding of the other's trials and tribulations. 'The true artist,' writes Kelly, 'has to be part poet'. His correspondence is full of encouragement, and appreciation of Nicholson's poetry, while paper and envelopes glow with images of Millom, Hodbarrow, and other locations special to the artist including South Wales and Norfolk where he lived after moving away from Cumbria.
This is a charming book, valuable not just for the art and the insights but also the detailed footnotes by David Cross which will help plug gaps for many enthusiasts of both men.
'True art,' writes Kelly in a letter of 1980, 'only bears fruit after a long objective courtship. There must be love, affection, integrity and humility'. Qualities in both 'brothers' which are clearly illustrated in the book.
CL
'Cumbrian Brothers' by David A Cross is published by Fell Foot Press and available by post from Fell Foot Press, 10 Red Gables, Chatsworth Square, Carlisle CA1 1HE at £9 plus £1 p&p, cheques payable to Fell Foot Press. The original letters are housed at the John Rylands Library in Manchester - contact [email protected]
The book, edited and introduced by David A Cross, shows how much the two men supported each other, each having a unique understanding of the other's trials and tribulations. 'The true artist,' writes Kelly, 'has to be part poet'. His correspondence is full of encouragement, and appreciation of Nicholson's poetry, while paper and envelopes glow with images of Millom, Hodbarrow, and other locations special to the artist including South Wales and Norfolk where he lived after moving away from Cumbria.
This is a charming book, valuable not just for the art and the insights but also the detailed footnotes by David Cross which will help plug gaps for many enthusiasts of both men.
'True art,' writes Kelly in a letter of 1980, 'only bears fruit after a long objective courtship. There must be love, affection, integrity and humility'. Qualities in both 'brothers' which are clearly illustrated in the book.
CL
'Cumbrian Brothers' by David A Cross is published by Fell Foot Press and available by post from Fell Foot Press, 10 Red Gables, Chatsworth Square, Carlisle CA1 1HE at £9 plus £1 p&p, cheques payable to Fell Foot Press. The original letters are housed at the John Rylands Library in Manchester - contact [email protected]