Barry Peckham ROI RSMA HSEA (1945-2024)
Although he painted all over Britain, Barry Peckham drew most of his inspiration from the landscapes, seascapes and equine scenes that were in abundance around Hampshire’s New Forest where he was born, and where he lived his entire life.
For a brief period he studied part time in life drawing and etching at Southampton Art College, but Barry was for the most part self-taught. He was a successor to the rich tradition of New Forest artists such as John Emms (1841-1912) who painted riding, hunting and dog scenes, the early work of Brockenhurst artist Arthur Batt (1846 – 1911), and Frederick Golden Short (1863-1936). Like Short, Barry travelled extensively across the New Forest to capture his scenes, working directly from the subject. The ever changing light , be it the sunrise in the forest or the evening sun setting over the Solent, provided a constant challenge and source of stimulation for Barry, and he would generally have several paintings ’on the go’, each capturing with an extensive and vibrant palette one of the different moods with which he would have been presented during that day.
Constant study gave Barry an intuitive understanding of the effects of the wind on sea and sky, and enabled him to fill his landscapes and seascapes with a strong sense of atmosphere and movement. When in the New Forest looking for subject matter, he would often home in on distinctive shapes made by gnarled or weather-damaged trees, which would make the scene memorable and identifiable, the scenes often populated with the ponies that roam the heaths, woodlands and shoreline. His body of work forms an acutely observed and deeply affectionate portrait of this part of the world.
Barry used the traditional ‘thick over thin’ method of oil painting, starting with paint diluted in white spirit, broadly applied with a flat hog hair brush, before applying thicker paint to progress the work and give texture, often adding finer detail with a nylon pointed brush.
Barry was made a member of the Society of Equestrian Artists in 1983, later being elected to Honorary Membership in recognition of his outstanding contribution to that Society. He was elected a Full Member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists, and of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters in 2000. As well as exhibiting for many years with these Societies, Barry also exhibited at The Royal Academy, and the Royal West of England Academy as well as with the Pastel Society, the Royal Institute of Watercolour Painters and the New English Art Club. He won many prizes for his work, including the Champagne Mumm Marine Artist of the Year in 1990, and the Cuneo Medal for the Best Collection of Paintings at the Society of Equestrian Artists in 1989.
Image reproduced with thanks to Sarah Peckham and the Society of Equestrian Artists.
Painting ‘Oak at Ashley Cross’ by Barry Peckham kindly lent by Beaulieu Fine Arts.
