L S Lowry in the North East
Timeline
- 1887 Born Laurence Stephen Lowry on 1st November in Old Trafford, Manchester. The only child of Robert and Elizabeth Lowry.
- 1905 Started to attend evening art classes, and continued for the next 25 years.
- 1910 Began to work as a rent collector in Manchester. He stayed with the same company until he retired in 1952.
- 1920 Began to exhibit his work throughout Britain and in Europe.
- 1932 Lowry’s father died. His mother became ill, confined to bed and looked after by Lowry until her death 1939.
- 1936 First recorded visit to Berwick-upon-Tweed. He returned to this area many times over the years.
- 1939 First solo exhibition in London and growing public recognition of his work. For Lowry, this success was overshadowed by his mother’s death.
- 1942 First exhibition at Sunderland Museum & Art Gallery.
- 1948 Moved to Mottram-in-Longendale, Cheshire. This remained his home for the rest of his life.
- 1953 Lowry was given the honour of being the official artist at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
- 1958 He was asked by the Friends of Middlesbrough Art Gallery to paint a picture for the gallery.
- 1960 First known visit to Sunderland. This was the beginning of a close association with the town that lasted for the rest of his life.
- 1966 A major Arts Council touring exhibition of his work opened at Sunderland Musuem & Art Gallery. The tour finished at the Tate Gallery, London.
- 1967 General Post Office issued a stamp featuring Lowry’s painting ‘Coming out of School’.
- 1976 Lowry died 23rd February. L S Lowry exhibition held at the Royal Academy, so popular that it broke attendance records.