Theodore Major

Museum of Wigan Life is hosting a free online Zoom talk - 'Theo and his Monsters' by Michael Howard

Thursday 17th Dec, 7pm - 8pm

Museum of Wigan Life / Facebook / @WiganMuseum



Theodore Major (1908-1999) was a Wigan born artist.

In 1994, five years before he died, Theodore wrote ‘I am still busy painting - it’s my only escape from all the cruelty in the world, but I must express it all in paint’.
With incredible energy he produced around 300 extraordinary works, his ‘Monster’ paintings, into which he poured all the pain, anger, humour, frustration and love that had nourished a lifetime’s dedication to his art.

Michael Howard is a writer and lecturer. He has written numerous books, including 'L.S. Lowry, A Visionary Artist' and 'Ghislaine Howard, the Human Touch'. He is currently working on a major publication dedicated to Theo, 'Walking on Fire'.

Book a place - here

Some of Theo’s magical Monster paintings were displayed in an exhibition at The Fire Within HQ last year.




www.thefirewithin.org.uk

Maureen is this the house you remember



Bernard McMullen (b.1952) -'Theodore Major at Work', depicting the artist painting in his Studio which was actually the house next door to his own house, oil on canvas, signed and dated December (19)92,

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/bernard-mcmullen-b-1952-theodore-major-at-628-c-75d655f208

He lived in Apply Bridge

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-theodore-major-1076497.html

No Lolly,it's a mystery to me as I explained before,I swore it was a whitewashed cottage type house..and set back from a main road..it really baffles me.

Thats his whitewashed house[s] in Appley Bridge where he did his painting. I've not found anywhere else that he lived. I will keep looking

In my mind we seemed to walk over a gravel type ground off a main road,he was climbing up a ladder at the front of his house..cottage...as I said it will always baffle me,Cliff used to say Mo has a brilliant memory...but obviously on this I'm not.

Theadore Major, The crusifixion

artuk.org/discover/artworks/crucifixion-wigan-162631

The striking painting has been on display at the Museum of Wigan Life, and most recently at The Fire Within:

In this room you can witness Wigan’s own master painter, Theodore Major, experience his vision of life as one “of endless crucifixions”, the symbolism of the crucifixion a constant expression of the World’s violent madness.

Theodore Major
‘Train to Wigan’
22” x 18”
Oil on Board
Private Collection

A painting by Theodore Major just featured on tonight’s Antiques Roadshow
(At Salford’s Media City)

Sun 21st Nov, 8pm on BBC 2 - BBC iPlayer

jo anne wrote:A painting by Theodore Major just featured on tonight’s Antiques Roadshow
(At Salford’s Media City)

Sun 21st Nov, 8pm on BBC 2 - BBC iPlayer

Just watched it Jo Anne, not a particularly interesting painting, two shadowy figures dressed in black.
The painting was valued ay £3000 to £3500, apparently demand for his paintings have increased steadily over the last 20 years since his death in 1999.

I watched it as well Ray...I'm still very puzzled as to where he lived when I met him..wouldn't care but I supposedly have a very good memory.

Maureen wrote:I watched it as well Ray...I'm still very puzzled as to where he lived when I met him..wouldn't care but I supposedly have a very good memory.

Mo, there may be some info on t'internet.

I did NOT LIKE that painting one iota.

Me neither Ray..but afraid niceness doesn't get you far these days in art...what gets me is people with more money than sense buy expensive works of art not to put it on their wall and love it,it gets wrapped up stacked away in a basement for eg..just to make more money on it.

Money and art have always gone hand in hand Mo.
Art should be appreciated for what it is, not for what it is worth.

I bet there’s some beautiful works of art that we’ve never seen Ray.

Mo, you are right, as you say “wrapped up stacked away in a basement”.
I like most art but not modern art or impressionism and definitely not the cubism of Picasso.

I quite liked the painting, but Major has captured my imagination anyway,
and I really enjoyed the discussion about him between owner & expert.



Antiques Roadshow - Series 41, MediaCityUK 2 - iPlayer (From 38:50)

£3k - £5k

The sun in Wigan

@AL00100110AL (15th Dec):

Daughter of Wigan artist Theodore Major agreed to show his large collection of work after she 'fell in love' with Haigh Hall
The daughter of Wigan artist Theodore Major says her father would be “absolutely thrilled” to see his work on display at Haigh Hall.

Mary Major has agreed to permanently loan the £200m collection of work to creative directors Al and Al for exhibitions at the historic building.

https://www.wigantoday.net/news/people/daughter-of-wigan-artist-theodore-major-agreed-to-show-his-large-collection-of-work-after-she-fell-in-love-with-haigh-hall-3718524

Sat 21st Sep 2024, 1pm - 2pm Eventbrite Link