In July this year, the self-taught artist who remains one of the most beloved artists in Britain Gary Bunt, sadly passed away at the age of 67 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Bunt’s own story is as remarkable as his art. An ‘ordinary’ man born in East Peckham, Bunt worked as a bricklayer before becoming one of Britain’s most sought-after painters with each of his exhibitions being total sellouts. His journey with the paintbrush began while decorating pub signs for beer money, and this down-to-earth perspective is ever-present in his work. Capturing the immense beauty of understated or overlooked moments, his paintings have deeply resonated with thousands for their sincerity.
Previously dubbed – and arguably reductively - ‘quaint’ by Country Life, Bunt’s work is far more refined than simple nostalgic depictions of England’s countryside. His art instead forms a deeply meditative oeuvre on what it means to exist wholeheartedly within the parameters of one’s life. The emotional honesty of his work is no coincidence, but part of Gary’s pledge to himself when diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2001 to live unapologetically having the epiphany that “it doesn’t matter anymore”.
The landscapes in Gary’s paintings are especially striking and full of life, setting the tone and atmosphere for each scene. Through them, he often manages to express something mysterious—something beyond what is traditionally visible. Whether he is depicting the coast or the countryside, the settings feel alive and charged with emotion.
His recurring depictions in his work of Bert with his dog are beautifully balanced, capturing a particular mood with the utmost sensitivity or humour. They show the relationship between man and dog through their warm, tender or light-hearted antics. Looking at the paintings, you can see how each of the dog’s poses differs; they are far more than simple portrayals—they reveal the thoughts and feelings shared between the two characters. It is this quality that makes Gary’s work timeless. For adults, Gary’s artworks evoke memories of childhood and rekindles a sense of wonder that may have faded over the years. For the younger generation, he captures a sense of fun and simplicity.
We are honoured to currently showcase four original works by Gary Bunt, including two featuring his beloved Bert and each, in their own way, celebrating the enduring bond between man and his best friend.
Each painting by Gary is marked on the reverse with a handwritten short-form poem — a practice that evolved after his diagnosis, when he spent many hours reminiscing. These verses offer a playful and personal interpretation of his paintings.Written on the back of The Ark, which we currently house for sale, Bunt muses on his relationship to Christianity, the religion he acts as a subtle conduit for within his work:
‘Do The Animals Believe in Jesus
Do Animals Say Their Prayers
Are Raindrops Really Angels Tears
Are There Christian Teddy Bears.’
The final line can be read in two ways: as either a contemplation of the ways spirituality permeates all things, even the inanimate, or a gentle critique of religions' tendency to project onto the non-living. Given what we know of Bunt’s outlook, he likely stood with the former, however it is this nuance and duality - in both word and image - that makes his work so rich.
The painting itself depicts a well-rehearsed display of Noah’s Ark, the animals lined diligently in their biblical ‘twos’ along the windowsill ready to board the Ark with even the child’s teddy bears being added as extra attendees to the march of wooden toys. In the backdrop, terraced houses and dogwalkers brave a heavy downfall (a quintessentially British affair) but more profoundly the rainfall simultaneously evokes the Deluge or The Great Flood of the Old Testament. In The Ark, interior and exterior, past and present are bound together; ancient story and modern childhood merge into a single, timeless narrative.
At Contemporary Six, we are deeply proud to exhibit Gary Bunt’s work - an artist whose skill and enduring legacy remain in the fact he universalises life’s precious moments based on his individual beliefs, experiences and memories.
We hope you will be able to visit The Hale Gallery to experience Bunt’s wonderful artworks in person.
