The Upcher Legacy

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Art is many things including creating ways of making a point. No effence taken here. It is certainly a departure from your idyllic pasture scenes!

No offence taken Jamie, art is what you feel! As Gudrun says, creativity is what we are always on the lookout for. Pleased you have settled and are now happy.

An unusual painting but at the heart of it is a little connection and a message. After my divorce in the late 90's I lived for a number of months in accommodation containing other guys in unfortunate circumstances - like me, financially in a bad way. This place was owned and run by a Titled Lady whose marriage to a certain Lord in Northrepps had ended when he had burnt the Hall down and absconded (It was in the papers at the time and so public knowledge). According to her, her titled husband had been a homosexual and tried to hide it by a marriage which was a bit of a sham. Her job was to keep up the appearances for him and also his friend Tom Upcher - who owned Sheringham Park and Upper Sheringham Hall. Tom died without an heir. It always seemed to me a sad fact that as people we are very unforgiving in the way others choose to live their lives. I really don't feel that much has changed. Later - as I got back on my feet I rented a cottage in Upper Sheringham and my cottage backed onto the park. The cottage was rented from the Upcher Trust. Anyway - the painting is of the Temple/folly in Sheringham Park which I used to sit & sketch often. The man is representative of the way sexuality is still not fully accepted - I believe - even now. It is my interpretation. It's now 10 years since I lived in that cottage and happily I have my own place now. But I like to re-visit old haunts and also my interpretation of what went on and I don't believe that it helps anybody by brushing these issues under the carpet - so sorry if I offend anyone with this painting - that is the opposite of what I intend to do. Thanks for looking.