Friends of Rochdale Art Gallery meet local artist Doodlher

Ever wondered if Banksy had been in Rochdale during the night? Have you come across skilled and amusing little drawings or ‘paste up street art’ adorning unusual spots around the town? Animals and familiar sketches of buildings here, a pair of boozy mice there? Clearly not the work of vandals but real talent in playful mood, such as transforming the former Butterworths’ Jewellers on Drake Street into homage to the Co-op?

 

 

Doodlher has certainly left an impression (or two) in the past year.

Also known as Vic Whittaker, she gave a fascinating illustrated talk to Friends of Rochdale Art Gallery (FRAG) on Thursday 12 January.

Unconventional, happy to be on the fringe of the mainstream, highly competent but without formal art training, Vic has the boundless enthusiasm of the self-taught, and the freshness and vulnerability of the naïve amateur.

For her, drawing has always been as natural and vital as breathing. She describes herself as ‘an illustrator who sometimes does things outside’. But other typical modus operandi involves intricately detailed black pen drawings of interesting buildings (which she likens to old wise trees) placed on a single colour background. Sometimes the plain backdrop might be enriched with a Van Gogh starry night; or the penned subject itself might be an iconic figure like the Mona Lisa. The juxtaposition of these elements is witty, sometimes challenging, but always stimulating.

Dr Joe Dawson

 

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FRAG meets on the second Thursday in the month, usually at Touchstones. Tea, coffee & biscuits served from 1pm. Guest speaker from 1.30pm - 2.30pm. Members £3, non-members £4 on the door.

All welcome. Annual membership is only £10 and you will be supporting your local art gallery and get discounted rates on talks and trips organised by the Friends and invitations to private views for exhibitions.

For further details please contact Jenny Buckley (chair, FRAG) 01706 358686 or Mark Doyle 01706 924555.