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Exhibition dates
12th – 27th January 2008
Tuesday – Sunday 11am–4pm
Private view
Friday 11th January 6–8pm
Untitled (Faces of wicked people)
Exhibition introduction
Leofric Baron
Born 1957, Essex
Died 2000
In memory of one of Britain’s leading outsider artists, RoaR explodes into 2008 showcasing vibrant, powerful and inventive paintings alongside humorous graphic prints and never seen before drawings by the hugely talented Leofric Baron.
Born in Essex in 1957, Baron was diagnosed with epilepsy at an early age and suffered schizophrenia most of his adult life. He moved to Norfolk to the Barrington Farm Centre for adults with learning disabilities in 1980 where his innate talent blossomed. A highly prolific artist, Leofric quickly became collected by major dealers worldwide and was represented at the prestigious Outsider Art Fair in New York in 1998.
Leofric was a shy man but spoke with confidence about his brilliant gift:
‘I paint because I want to show
people what
I can do. If you say where does your painting come from, I’ll say
in my head... it’s in my brain… it’s always been there...
With paint
I can make a violin into a whale.’
Funded by:
This exhibition can also be seen online after the 12th January. The show includes works such as the imaginatively titled ‘Big Fuzzy Head With Fuzzy Teeth’ and ‘Easter Egg Bird’, with selected pieces for sale. Do not miss!
Untitled (Blue man with Friends red background)
Leofric Baron
By James Hawke
Artist and RoaR trustee
Leofric’s development as an artist was initially relatively slow. But once his interest and a fuller knowledge of his capabilities emerged he quickly became one of Barrington Farm’s art barn’s outstanding practitioners.
A very likable man, he could by turns be lively, enthusiastic and amusing, but also languid, laid back, even indolent. He was a keen supporter of Liverpool FC – his father, Kevin Baron, had played for the club between 1945 to 1954 – and I well remember his high spirits and badinage on Monday mornings if they had won.
Leofric’s paintings are vibrant, powerful and inventive. They contrast quite markedly with his graphic monochromatic work which is more serene – humorous and in a way intellectual. It is tempting to see a dualism here that reflects the artist’s inner self. Certainly, creative processes are nourished by this sort of conflict (real or imaginary) but in Leofric’s work there is a joie de vivre that resolves any issue of this kind and transcends the personality as all art should.
Online exhibition
A large number of Leofric’s works are available to view online by clicking on the sections below.
Thank you!
This project has been made possible with the generous help and support from the following organisations and individuals:
Awards For All
Norfolk County Council
North Norfolk District Council
Barrington Farm
Holt Day Services
Tom Bohm
Kate Munro
Ian Collins
Donna Younger
Barbara Symmons
James Gladwell
Simon Abbott
Theodora Lecrinier
Serena Katt
Claire Kidman
Neil Smallbone
Jonny Winter
Liz Ballard
Simon Liddiment
Charlotte Kelly
Jessie Jamcakes
Norm and Jac
United Reform Church, Princes St.
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