We are very pleased to welcome art specialist David Hirst, a long-time friend of the Old Low Light, to deliver this updated talk.

We are very pleased to welcome art specialist David Hirst, a long-time friend of the Old Low Light, to deliver this updated talk which will explore the history of the fish quay and its people as depicted by local artists.

Since his last talk about local artists at the heritage centre in 2022, David has new insights to share. These follow his involvement in the restoration of ‘The Royal Visit to the Tyne’ by North Shields artist John Davison Liddell (1859-1942), which depicts the Prince and Princess of Wales (the future King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra) on their visit to the Tyne in 1884 to perform the official opening of the Albert Edward Dock.

He will also talk about a recently restored painting by James Shotton as well as a newly discovered painting by the same artist, both of which depict the North Shields riverside at the end of the 19th century.

In addition, he will include some paintings by John Falconar Slater, from Cullercoats, who is the subject of a recent book by the late Northumberland art historian Marshall Hall, along with paintings and drawings of the fish quay through the ages as seen by other North East artists.

David, himself a collector of fine art, said: “I love the fish quay, and these paintings provide a unique first-hand insight into the history of the area over time and show how important it was to the development of North Shields.”

Description supplied by the event organiser.