Where Art Meets the Funfair

Local artist Ray Barker has kindly sent us his story that goes with his painting of the Hampton Court Easter Fair 2009. This fair, with a history dating back over 100 years now, is beautifully captured in this picture and we are proud to have the original in our office! This is Ray’s story in his own words.

“Born in 1938, living in Putney, I retired from running Putney School of Art and Design a few years  ago but I am still a student there. Before that I was a commercials producer and director for 40 years. I have two children and two grandchildren living in London.

I fell in love with East Molesley when I followed the path Alfred Sisley must have taken down the riverside in 1874. On good days I travelled down to this area to paint for most of the  miserable summer of 2008. Almost all of the resulting watercolours and drawings were of the immediate area around The Fountain Gallery, East Molesey where I held the exhibition February 2009.

George Irvin came to the private view and kindly commisioned me to do a painting of the Fair at Hampton Court during Easter 2009.”

To our knowledge this is the first actual painting of Hampton Court Fair, but if any of our website readers (or reader possibly!) know otherwise please let us know.