For the 150th Surrey u3a Network study day at the Menuhin Hall on Friday 15 November the guest speaker was Prof Maria Chester, who studied fine arts and art history in Buenos Aires and specialised in pre-Columbian art and the art of South American civilisations.
Over the course of the day Maria spoke about Laurence Stephen Lowry’s life and works, focusing on Lowry the man rather than just on his paintings and sketches. A shy, reclusive man who looked after his mother in her later years, Lowry’s talent as a painter of industrial landscapes and social mores was only recognised when in his fifties. He declined many honours, including an OBE, a CBE and a knighthood. “Just a man in the crowd”, Lowry nonetheless received international recognition and became a full member of the Royal Academy in 1962 at the age of 75.
This special study day was marked with a lunchtime musical performance by students at the Yehudi Menuhin School and a celebration cake was presented by Caroline Sawers, Ian Funnel, Pam Jones and other members of the Study Day Committee.