Unseen works by distinctive artist to be auctioned

A collection of paintings by renowned artist Barrington Tabb are going under the hammer.

Tabb, from South Gloucestershire, who passed away in 2022, had a distinctive style due to an eye condition that caused blurring of his central vision.

"Sometimes it can improve my paintings very, very much, due to this distortion," he told the BBC in an interview in 2006. "I don't want my work to look like a camera took it. I want to give vent to the distortion as well as the emotion."

His unique style earned him a loyal following, with collectors including David Bowie and Bryan Ferry. The paintings will be auctioned at Clevedon Salerooms.

Known for his textured, expressive oil paintings capturing Bristol's streets, docks, and daily life, Barrington Tabb devoted more than four decades to chronicling the spirit of the city.

The artworks are being auctioned by BBC Antiques Roadshow expert and Senior Valuer at Clevedon Salerooms Chris Yeo.

"He loved Bristol and just adored the place," said Mr Yeo.

"He went around on foot recording these scenes, like Park Street and Christmas Steps, and they are just fantastic.

"They have a lot of character to them, a lot of personality, as he did himself."

One of the lots up for auction is an oil on board, titled on the back in felt tip pen 'Watershed with Arnolfini, City Docks, Bristol'.

Local artist and fellow Royal West of England Academy (RWA) member Linda Alvis, who knew him well, said: "I'd consider him as Bristol's Lowry, but a more blobby edition of it."

She described him as a genuinely nice person who would say hello to everyone as he painted, whilst always wearing shorts.

Ms Alvis said: "He really was a local treasure that should never be forgotten."

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