1967 - Woodlarks and Warlarks
Alwin Gallery
|
|
|
In the first of his many exhibitions at The Alwin Gallery, Peter Miller provided 28 of his paintings for the public to savour. Amongst these were 3 large paintings depicting the witches of Pendle. For those unfamiliar with the subject, the trials of the Pendle Witches are some of the most famous and well recorded witch trials in English lore. Twelve witches were accused of murdering ten people through witchcraft, with ten found guilty and subsequently hanged on Pendle Hill. Peter became intrigued by Pendle Hill and the tales of the witches whilst living in the area, and sought to bring these scenes to life in all their gruesome reality, The paintings depict the bleak landscape of Pendle, the witches, and even the hangings. |
|
|
|
|
The exhibition covers other disturbing themes, some of his works a commentary on the blind futility of war. He presented images of gassed soldiers in the First World War, German prisoners of war, and also historical figures such as Ho Chi Min and Lee Harvey Oswald. Disturbing indeed, but this was no accident, as Peter Miller consciously sought to disturb, to make man think. He said of his work, at the time ’art must disturb, in the same way as a poet must.’ The impact of these paintings was unequivocal and caused renowned art critic Terence Mullaly of the Daily Telegraph to comment, ‘This artist…is both highly talented and patently serious. Although only 29 he is clearly ready for an international audience.’ |