Plas Coch Holiday Homes adopts the rarely seen LS Lowry North Wales Collection of Sketches Laurence Stephen Lowry (1 November 1887 – 23 February 1976) was born in Stretford, Greater Manchester. Many of his drawings and paintings depict nearby Salford and surrounding areas, including Pendlebury, where he lived and worked for many years. Lowry is one of Britain’s favourite artists, with his own distinctive style of painting. He became famous for his depictions of life in the industrial districts of North West England and beyond, but he also painted barren landscapes, empty seascapes, brooding portraits, and remarkable surreal figure studies in his later years. The Lowry houses the largest public collection of works by LS Lowry in the world. Comprising over 400 items, it includes oil paintings, drawings, pastels and watercolours. The collection represents the wide range of his subject matter, and includes his self portrait as well as oil paintings of his mother and father which he kept on display in his home throughout his life.
Self Portrait 1925 © The Lowry Collection, Salford.
Plas Coch Holiday Homes & The Lowry Plas Coch has partnered with The Lowry to adopt the collection of LS Lowry’s North Wales sketches, including drawings of Rhyl and Amlwch.
Why do they need adopting? As a registered charity, The Lowry Galleries rely on public support to ensure the conservation of LS Lowry’s work. The sketches of North Wales are pencil drawings which are particularly delicate. Plas Coch Holiday Homes has provided much needed funds to ensure these works can be displayed as a fully conserved group for the first time. ‘The connection between the North of England and North Wales is timeless, with thousands of people visiting North Wales from across the region all year round. LS Lowry obviously enjoyed his childhood visits too and to know that we have been instrumental in making it possible to conserve the work of such a talented artist, and ensuring that these sketches will be enjoyed by visitors for years to come is a privilege.’ Dean Styger FCMA, Managing Director, Plas Coch Holiday Homes, Anglesey. North Wales
‘The Lowry is delighted to have Plas Coch Holiday Homes on board. Adoption of these sketches means they can be shown to visitors from around the world on a regular basis. LS Lowry was one of the greatest British artists of his time and we are so pleased his works are being appreciated in this way.’ Claire Stewart, Curator LS Lowry Collection, The Lowry
Left: Coming from the Mill 1930 © The Lowry Collection, Salford. Right : Gentleman Looking at Something 1960 © The Lowry Collection, Salford.
Plas Coch Holiday Homes adopts the rarely seen LS Lowry North Wales Collection of Sketches
Yachts 1959 © The Lowry Collection, Salford.
LS Lowry & North Wales The sea was a constant presence in Lowry’s life. From his childhood he enjoyed regular family summer holidays by the seaside, often in Rhyl. From as young as eight years old he sketched the boats sailing off the coast. In later years he became increasingly obsessed by the sea – not so much as a picturesque view, but rather as a daunting natural force. “How wonderful it is,” he said, “yet how terrible it is …” He was also drawn to the hustle and bustle of Rhyl harbour. Just as he liked to record the comings and goings of factory workers in the city, he was fascinated by the ebb and flow of the tide, and the yachts and ships entering and leaving the safety of the harbour. In later years, after his mother and father had died, Lowry travelled around the country on his own, or in the company of artist friends. The drawings of Amlwch were made at this time, after the Lowrys’ family holidays had ceased.