Smallholders Pet Shop
Even when I first moved to Forest Gate, I wondered how long the pet shop and mini garden centre could hang on and during the following decade I watched the façade fade and become increasingly weather beaten.
An elderly man sporting a flat cap, used to stand outside in all weathers jealously guarding the minuscule shrubs, bedding plants and fledging vegetables. Every spring I bought plants and every spring I received detailed advice about their care, whether I had asked for it or not. After he died about five years ago, I discovered that he had been there since he was fourteen years old and had continued on a voluntary basis way past retirement age, until his legs gave up.
I painted Smallholders at night when it is devoid of people as I wanted to reinforce both its fragility and endurance. The edifice remains solid, feet firmly on the ground and still trading despite the pandemic, but how much longer it can continue remains to be seen…
Title: Smallholders Pet Shop Oil on canvas, unframed
Date: 2022
Size: 66cm h x 92cm w
Price: Sold (contact form, please include the title of the work)