The Secret Painter by Joe Tucker: Book Launch and Q&A
To Joe Tucker, Eric was just his loving and funny uncle, a beloved yet unconventional figure throughout Joe’s life. A shambolically dressed man who lived with his mother for almost eighty years in Warrington, only really stretching his bubble of existence to include the local pub and betting shop on the high street – unknown to many until his death, that behind closed doors, Eric had amassed over five hundred of his own remarkable paintings.
Without anyone ever realising his achievements, ‘The Secret Painter’ chronicles the hidden life of Eric as an artist, telling the stories of the industrial north and his working-class community.
Towards the end of his life, Eric requested an exhibition of his work. As Joe and his family sorted through hundreds of paintings of street scenes, circus and theatre performers, and busy pubs, they began to ask more questions about Eric’s life: why had this fanatically sociable man never left his mother’s home? Had Eric ever experienced love when he painted it so beautifully? And what had driven him to create so much, yet share it so rarely?
‘The Secret Painter’ is a touching, funny and thoughtful investigation of the nature of expression, the ownership of art and the secret life of those nearest to us. Joe Tucker brings us into his uncle’s extraordinary and compelling world and perhaps more importantly, he also brings Eric Tucker’s life’s work into ours.
Joe will be sharing more about the book and his uncle’s extraordinary legacy in this Q&A. Eric Tucker’s work will be on display as part of the Lives Less Ordinary exhibition which ticket holders can view on the evening.
Copies of ‘The Secret Painter’ will be available to purchase on the evening as well as drinks from our Exhibition Shop.
This event is part of the Events Programme accompanying Lives Less Ordinary: Working-Class Britian Re-seen at Two Temple Place. See the full programme here.
Doors will open from 6:15pm.
Please note, we may not be able to permit entry between 5:50pm – 6.15pm as we close entry to our public exhibition and prepare for the evening event.
We want this event to be accessible for all. Please get in touch with us at info@twotempleplace.org if the ticket cost will prohibit you from being able to attend so we can provide you with a ticket free of charge.
Image credits: Joe Tucker © Beth Davies / Eric Tucker (in back alley of Hume Street) courtesy of Estate.
