We were particularly delighted recently to welcome Terry Silk back to the Shakespeare Centre. In 1964 Terry was involved in the building of the original Shakespeare Centre. Employed by a Birmingham contractor, he had the job of sealing the decorative windows engraved by John Hutton into their extruded bronze frames. As part of the building’s cutting-edge design, which included the commissioning of contemporary artists, Hutton had produced a scheme for the full-height ground floor windows featuring some of the most recognisable of Shakespeare’s characters.
Terry is
incredibly engaging and full of colourful memories of his time working on the
Centre. He told us about chatting and joking with tourists visiting the
Birthplace whilst he completed his job, and some of the other interesting characters
on site. Once the work was finished
Terry returned home and Stratford was pushed to the back of his mind.
Terry worked in a number of mainly technical jobs but always had a passion for all things creative, and in his own time enjoyed involvement in the local music scene and the visual arts. After retirement Terry, encouraged by family and friends, took up painting. Self-taught, he enjoyed learning new skills and exploring what was possible. Very much a man driven by his passions Terry focusses on depicting places and landscapes that hold a place in his heart. He has sketched and painted in oils a wide selection of works including scenes he remembers from the hometown of his childhood (Halesowen), the nearby countryside, favourite pubs, friends’ houses and holiday spots.
Perhaps it was the media coverage of the 2016 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death that drew Terry to reminisce about his time in Stratford and the contribution he made to the 1964 Shakespeare Centre (which was itself a celebration of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth). But earlier this year Terry found himself researching and preparing for a Shakespeare painting. He remembered the appearance of the Birthplace well and what was hazy could be clarified on-line or by a quick visit whilst in Stratford for a friend’s wedding (his first visit back in 52 years).
Terry brought in his finished work to show us and kindly provided some copies. The main focus of the study is the Birthplace, executed with accuracy and detail reflecting his technical background. He has provided context by adding the figure of Shakespeare at a desk in the garden. The red, white and blue flowers add a patriotic touch and the 400th anniversary is reflected by the path which creates the shape of a 4. On the left of the chimney Terry has included a favourite motif of three little birds which symbolise: love, friendship and happiness.
What a joy to meet such a great man who was inspired by Shakespeare, his creativity and the Trust, in such a direct and rewarding way. Terry has a love for life and his work which is truly infectious. We had great fun reacquainting him with the Centre, and Birthplace and showing him New Place, and hope to invite him back in the near future to record an interview about his involvement in the building of the 1964 Shakespeare Centre for the archive.
To find out more about Terry and his work on his website: www.terrysilk.co.uk