Articles

Artist returns to Gedling Borough Council to see his award-winning portrait of Calverton inventor.

Date Posted: 12:09 PM on Wed, 10 April 2024

Local artist Grahame Wheatley visited the Civic Centre this week exactly 25 years after winning an award for his portrait of Calverton inventor William Lee.

Grahame Wheatley’s portrait is housed here in the Civic centre at Arnot Hill park and took the top prize in a competition celebrating the Quartercentenary of Wiliam Lee’s invention of the first handknitting stocking frame in 1589.

Wheatley chose to paint a self-portrait, representing Lee and his dismay at not gaining recognition for his invention from Queen Elizabeth I. It’s importance was later recognised as the first step in the mechanisation of the textile industry and was the only one in use for centuries.

Gedling Borough Council sponsored the competition in 1989 of which Grahame Wheatley was the standout winner. The piece now sits proudly at the Civic Centre where the artist and painting were happily reunited this week.

Remembering his inspiration, Mr Wheatley said: “The portrait was painted in my bedroom using a single mirror next to the window to get side lighting. With the story of Lee in mind I depicted myself holding on of my socks and with a disgruntled look on my face expressing disappointment at not being granted a patent”

Mayor of Gedling Julie Najuk said: “It was such a pleasure to meet Grahame and hear more about the provenance of this painting and his fascinating life as an artist”