Dudley Exhibition Saint Augustines

My drawings of the Earl of Lichfield's country seat
not far from Dudley,
Shugborough Hall
were made at a time when he and I had talked about
my producing a book of my drawings, paintings and photographs
which I was simply going to entitle 'Shugborough'

He, like the National Trust, liked my work, it had publicised my recent English book, and he had been interested in my Malaysia book and 'Drawings of my childhood places',
which features Dudley,
so he retained a copy of that, and a framed print of the

Saint Augustines Church
where this Exhibition was held

The Exhibition, for me, had very sad moments,

as the memories of my parents are very close and real,
and this is where much of my childhood was spent,
which is why it features so prominently in that book

I also was sad at his loss ...So it is perhaps fitting to feature this drawing of his private entrance,

as well as my drawings and that particular book, in this peaceful, inspiring place

I hope that others, who visited, could in some way understand the prominence

that this church has, in my portfolio

I gave a Talk on the Opening night, expressing some of my thoughts,

and the inspiration

which I had, from this, and other 'Childhood Places'