Pembrokeshire painter John holds his first exhibition

One of Wales’ oldest artists is breaking new ground by holding an exhibition for the first time – in his hundredth year.

John Beck, 99, has spent a lifetime drawing and painting but until now has only sold his work privately.

To celebrate his centenary year, members of John’s family have persuaded him to put his paintings on show in a bid to get the recognition he deserves.

Mostly working in oils in an impressionist style, John Beck has amassed hundreds of works over the years.

“I’ve painted for as long as I can remember but never thought about showing my work to anyone,” he said. “I’m a bit nervous about it. It never occurred to me that people might be interested. What if they’re not!”

Mr Beck lives in Cosheston, near Pembroke, with his daughter and son-in-law, Prue and Steve Barlow, who run Upton Castle Gardens.

Despite Mr Beck suffering from pain in his leg and failing eyesight, daughter Prue says: “He still gets up and paints every day.

“He probably would not admit it but his style has changed over the years. As his eyesight has deteriorated his work has become darker and more abstract.”

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The retrospective exhibition will be held at Tenby Museum Art Gallery from November 30 until December 21.

Born in the shadow of Cheltenham Racecourse in 1914, John was introduced to horses at a young age.

He attended the first Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1924, aged 10, and other than during World War II when he was in the Army, has hardly missed a year.

Recently he was made an honorary guest. Some of his works feature the spirit and buzz of race day.A contemporary of some of Wales’ most famous artists, John socialised with Augustus John and Dylan Thomas amongst others during the 1930s.

“Before the war I owned a hut on the edge of the River Avon in Tewkesbury,” he recalls. “Augustus John called in one afternoon with his daughter Poppy and had a few drinks. Whilst he was there he painted a mural on the side of the hut.

“It was a scene of a boat going past with someone punting. I was rather fond of it, but sadly, when I went back after the war, the hut had been demolished”.

The family have submitted a short statement to accompany the exhibition later this month. It reads, “John Beck came to Pembrokeshire for a holiday with his young family in 1953 and never left.

“He has turned his hand to many things over the years – sport, antiques, property, betting on horses – but, by his own admission, has not decided what he wants to do yet!”