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| Mill Race of the River Aire |
The visit to Saltaire and Shipley is over sadly, I thoroughly enjoyed it. We pottered round the streets of Saltaire and of course visited Salt Mill. One fact I did not know was how David Hockney came to be so much a part of the mill.
It started simply at school, and a meeting in a burger bar. Jonathon Silver a schoolboy wanted an illustration for the school magazine and he wanted a drawing and Hockney drew him one. Their relationship developed from there. Jonathon Silver became an entrepreneur buying businesses, at one stage he had 13 men's clothes shops and dabbled in antiques something he enjoyed. Jonathon sold up his businesses up at a later stage and took his wife and two young children to America to travel and see the country on the proceeds.
Jonathon came back to the North, and for some reason bought the big, old empty mill, with the vision of turning it into a retail centre and also a venue for music and art.
The friendship between the two men was strong and Hockney rather loved the way Jonathon exhibited paintings and so the partnership and the permanent exhibition became part of the mills charm.
There is something quintessential English about the partnership and the fact that Jonathon was very much like those old patrons of the arts, using his money for the happiness of the people, though of course that enormous mill still needs money for upkeep. London art galleries did not seem to be interested 'Up North', but I love that David Hockney being local chose the biggest venue out for his paintings!
Sadly Jonathon died at an early age in 1997 but the mill is still run by his daughter.
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I have been to Saltaire a few times and it is such an interesting place. I don't suppose I shall ever go again so it was good to read of your visit - thank you for the reminders.
ReplyDeleteThe Salt village is a marvel of carvings and buildings, lots of thought there Pat.
DeleteIt seems as if David Hockney truly did see 'the big picture' didn't he?
ReplyDeleteHockney was very innovated Debby. He was also in America at the time Jonathon and his family went there. The permanent exhibition at the mill though, is of a country lane through the seasons. There is also a video of this selfsame lane in snow, something that always captivates my daughter as she sits in solitary aloneness mesmerised by the video. The other exhibition of his country house/cottage in France follows the same theme of seasons. Your comments seem to be going into spam by the way.
DeleteThanks for sharing this interesting story Thelma. I admire David Hockney's art and his belligerence. He does things his way as he has always done and is as enchanted by imagery and creation as he has always been. He will be 86 years old in July.
ReplyDeleteThere is a book somewhere called 'Salt and Silver' Neil, it would be interesting to explore the concept of paternalism on Sir Titus Salt and the entrepreneurship of Jonathon Silver. I am pleased Hockney as an artist made money whilst still alive.
DeleteI can say only thanks for sharing, as next I must learn of David Hockney and his art.
ReplyDeleteHe is probably not amongst my most favourite artist Joanne but I definitely love his vibrancy.
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