Lost Works

Arthur Berry 100 has also included cataloguing and preserving Berry’s work, safeguarding it for future generations and increasing access to the works through the online gallery archive. Through this process, and discoveries made when Berry’s studio was cleared by the Arthur Berry Estate (managed by Barewall Art Gallery), it has emerged that several of Berry’s works remain undocumented, or in unknown private ownership. Barewall Art Gallery is now reaching out to members of the public for help to rediscover these ‘lost’ artworks.

In 1984, the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery held a Retrospective Arthur Berry exhibition featuring around 113 works and produced an illustrated booklet in support. Out of those 113 works, the locations of only a small proportion are currently known. Artworks photographed within the booklet, but currently ‘missing’ from the catalogue raisonné include Asbestos Garage, the still life Apples and Mugs and The Lovers. Additionally, slides discovered in Berry’s studio document works that have not been seen in their original form for many years, contributing further missing artworks.

Barewall Art Gallery are especially asking for lost paintings which we sold or gifted from Arthur pre-2012, with a particular interest in paintings pre-1985. Any paintings are to be brought to the gallery in October to be sensitively unframed, photographed and reframed. The gallery will also issue a record of authentication to the owners, detail that the painting is part of the Arthur Berry catalogue raisonné.

 This vital work of rediscovery will enable works to be catalogued and potentially inputted into the digital archive, adding to our understanding of Berry’s output and legacy.

 Anyone who can provide more information about Berry’s artworks are asked to contact Amanda Bromley at Barewall Art Gallery at shop@barewall.co.uk or call 07932 717718 to arrange an appointment.