02 May - 05 Jul 2009

This exhibition from the Laing Art Gallery's collection brings together oil paintings and watercolours to explore the work of the famous Hemy brothers, and looks at their shared influences and enthusiasms.

Charles Napier Hemy (1841-1917) is well-known as an outstanding marine and landscape artist, especially in the North East, but he was one of a family of artists. His younger brothers Bernard Benedict Hemy (1845-1913) and Thomas Marie Madawaska Hemy (1850-1937) also made names for themselves as marine painters.

While Bernard lived and worked in the North East for most of his life, Charles and Thomas travelled more widely, but they always retained their links to the area. This exhibition brings together oil paintings, watercolours and sketches to explore the work of the Hemy brothers, and looks at their shared influences and enthusiasms.

Although the brothers led very different lives, all three retained a life-long love of the sea. For Charles, this love began with a sea voyage when he and his family briefly emigrated to Australia.

When the eleven year old Charles made the return journey in 1852 he helped to crew the ship, and he later wrote 'I can remember it entering my soul: it was imprinted on my mind, and I never forgot it'. This fascination reveals itself through the paintings and drawings of all the brothers. They study not only the sea and ships, but the people who live and work on and beside the waters.