Gary Bunt (b. 1957)

Gary Bunt is one of the UK’s most recognisable artists, drawing his inspiration from everyday surroundings and nostalgic encounters. Bunt was born in Kent in 1957 and from a young age took a keen interest in painting and poetry. Teaching himself guitar as a young man, Bunt became involved in the music industry where he enjoyed a successful career as a musician. After receiving a life-changing diagnosis, Bunt retired from the late night parties of the rock and roll scene. Through his battle with the disease, Bunt rediscovered painting, which provided both a therapeutic and stimulating release. Often exploring emotive themes, Bunt’s works suspend the viewer in a pensive moment of wistful reflection.

Drawing influence from some of the great modern British artists, Bunt’s work continues the dialogue of Ben Nicholson, Christopher Wood and L.S. Lowry. In The Harbour Mouse, his expressive and primitive style conveys the whistling winds, salty sea spray and crystalline light of the British coastline through textured planes and a tonal grey palette. His painterly technique is assured yet delicate, making the scene appear both incidental and fleeting. With the swell of thick impasto, the sea and clouds high on the horizon meet to pull the viewer into the swirling vital energy of the harbour. The trawler drags its fishing net through the wild water while the seagulls hover, waiting to dive and catch any unsuspecting fish. Small boats pass along the horizon while the harbour master overlooks activities, safely anchored to his lighthouse. The little houses, sea wall and white wooden gate all stand resolute against the elements, while the sea crashes against the sturdy brick lighthouse. In the foreground we see the harbour cat looking out over the harbour. But on closer inspection, amongst the upturned fishing baskets we see that the cat is in fact stalking a little mouse, scurrying in between the jumble of baskets.

The Harbour Mouse is a particularly charming example of Bunt’s seascape series. As the harbour master and cat look out over the sea, their meditative gaze draws the viewer’s eye out towards the horizon. It is this sense of contemplation which is typified in Bunt’s oeuvre. This reflective isolation is akin to the musings of an artist in their studio. Bunt’s family originate from coastal Lowestoft and his childhood memories of the windy harbours, fishing boats and sailors are fondly depicted. Coursing through Bunt’s body of work is a feeling of humble familiarity and heart-warming nostalgia; his characters seem recognisable to us. The recurring character of the old man is in fact a self-portrait of Bunt himself in his elderly years, as well as a characterisation of all the male figures in Bunt’s family. Through this character Bunt has explored, experienced and lived a full and invigorating life, which for a time during his illness seemed uncertain. In this picture he stands, looking out over the harbour as a protective and stoic force against the tide of whatever the future has in store.

Bunt’s love of language and verse stemmed from a young age. He was often caught by his colleagues reading Thomas Hardy whilst working on a building site as a young man. The witticism of Spike Milligan and the clever word play of Roger McGough are synthesised in Bunt’s cheerful poetry. The Harbour Mouse verse, inscribed on the verso of the painting, is an uplifting accompaniment to his evocative canvas.