Exhibition at Ripley Museum Showcases Artist Frank Brown

Published on: 19 Feb, 2024
Updated on: 18 Feb, 2024

Send and Ripley History Society’s latest exhibition showcases the work of locally born artist, Frank Brown who, from a modest background, attended Guildford’s Royal Grammar School and then the Slade School of Fine Art.

Cricket at Ripley, showing the clubhouse top right and nearby Dunsborough Park below. Featuring inter alia Robin Yallop left, his friend Ivor Powell next to him, Bill the umpire, Guy Pullen batting and Frank bowling.

He devoted much of his career teaching, both back at the Royal Grammar School but also at Send Detention Centre and some local special schools.

Frank had several one-man shows and painted the majority of his work in his tiny studio in Ripley.

Desert Orchid in Australia.

An outstanding equine artist, he had a show at the 1977 Epsom Derby and many of his works were sold both home and abroad.

Clapton – Home at Last.

His work is diverse and the exhibition includes some of his multi-image works of musicians, including Eric Clapton as well as fascinating interpretations of historical events.

Jack Richardson outside the family shop in Ripley.

Frank found time to paint many local commissions and family paintings for many Ripley locals.

The painting which was gifted to Ripley British Legion.

His impressive work They did not Fight in Vain hangs on the wall of the Royal British Legion.

In 2007 Frank and his wife Jean moved to the Isle of Bute, where they still live.

Clydesdales Ploughing at Ettrick Bay.

The exhibition also includes photographs of some of the lovely paintings he has completed there, which demonstrate his love of the island and the people of Bute.

The exhibition at Ripley Museum opens on Saturday, March 24 and the museum is open on Saturdays from 10am to noon and by appointment by phoning the curator on 01483 728546.

Frank and his wife Jean moved to Westcott in March 1997 and lived there for 10 years. This attractive snow scene was painted there.

Send and Ripley History Society has also produced a 32-page booklet featuring a lot more of Frank Brown’s work than it can show in the museum. Images from the booklet are pictured here.