J. M. W. Turner and Wanstead

J. M. W. Turner and Wanstead

As a very young man, apprenticed to Thomas Hardwick, architect of St Mary’s Church, Turner made a modest pencil sketch of the grand new church in Wanstead, St Mary the Virgin on Overton Drive.

The artist was born in 1775 into a humble background, as the son of a barber. Recognising his son’s great talent, Turner senior displayed his boy’s paintings in the family barber shop in Covent Garden. We have been fortunate enough to have obtained three copies of this sketch of the church on licence from the Tate Gallery for the duration of the Art Trail. One print will be displayed in our own barber’s shop Zoology Men as well as at the Wanstead Golf Club and the Temple in Wanstead Park.

Following the Turner example of displaying work in shops, a large body of work by Wanstead artists and residents will be displayed in our High Street shop windows and other community venues throughout the Trail.

‘Let’s Get Together’ walks Let us show you the Trail. Walking in the footsteps of a very famous artist, we will explore places of interest. 

Dates: Sunday 19th September 2pm. Saturday 25th September 2pm. Sunday 26th September 2pm. Meeting point: 

Outside The Corner House, 

2 Grove Park, 

Wanstead High Street 

Leader: John Goodman 

Duration of walk: Approximately 2 hrs 

The walk will finish at the Temple in Wanstead Park. 

On the way we will find the Church of St Mary the Virgin. J.M.W. Turner sketched this church in 1789-90. Silent auction To raise funds for future projects with the Wanstead Society, Robert Mason, an internationally recognised artist, has donated a small figurative painting to be auctioned. Robert Mason has exhibited widely in this country and abroad. His work is in many public and corporate collections, including the British Museum, V&A and the Metropolitan Museum of Art New York. His expressive drawings, paintings and works on paper combine traditional materials with more experimental techniques to create a sense of depth and movement and emotional connection with the viewer. See it in Wanstead Library throughout September. To bid for the painting, email art@wansteadsociety.org.uk (minimum £150).

Schools Local schools have produced a wonderful selection of work around the theme of school and neighbourhood. This can be seen in the library throughout September. 

Sponsors Wanstead Society: www.wansteadsociety.org.uk 

London Borough of Redbridge Area 1

Adult Education: www.redbridge-iae.ac.uk

This article was taken from the official Wanstead Art Trail map