BY B O B B A R K E R

JUMPERSFOR GOALPOSTS

BY B O B B A R K E R

JUMPERSFOR GOALPOSTS

Perhaps one of the most famous works of art depicting the beautiful game, is The

Football Match by L.S. Lowry, painted in 1949 the piece is often described as a

modern day masterpiece and certainly captures the spirit of football fans gripped

by the excitement of match day.

Like Lowry, Bob Barker is a northern lad born and bred. Over the years Barker’s

depictions of northern life and scenes have evolved and developed from his well

loved portrayals of young lovers taking a stroll in the early evening mist through

to the grisaille street scenes of today and everything in between.

Barker’s art resonates with a great many of us, as he adeptly manages to convey

the innocence of childhood through to the joie de vivre of adulthood. This col-

lection is no exception, themed of course around Britain’s most popular sport,

Barker takes us on a journey from the cobbled streets where children stage their

very own Cup Finals each night after school (‘Jumpers for Goalposts’), to a father

and son celebrating their team’s victory in ‘Result’ and ‘Rhythm & Booze’ proving

you’re never too old for a kick-about.

There is no doubt with this collection of original artwork that Barker presents

here will inspire and excite all those who are passionate connoisseurs of his art

and of football.

LEFT BACKOriginal Oil36” x 28”

THE KEEPEROriginal Oil

30” x 30”

THE GENERATION GAPOriginal Oil

36” x 28”

THE OFFSIDE RULEOriginal Oil36” x 28”

THE PASSIONOriginal Oil

24” x 72”

RHYTHM & BOOZEOriginal Oil30” x 30”

ALEHOUSE ROCKOriginal Oil

30” x 30”

HAPPY TOGETHEROriginal Oil30” x 30”

HOME GAMEOriginal Oil

30” x 30”

LOSTOriginal Oil36” x 28”

RESULTOriginal Oil

36” x 28”

NOBODY PLAYINGOriginal Oil12” x 12”

IT'S JUST NOT CRICKETOriginal Oil

12” x 12”

WHEN I WAS A LADOriginal Oil

24” x 72”

JUMPERS FOR GOALPOSTSOriginal Oil28” x 36”

HEAR THE ROAROriginal Oil

28” x 36”

THAT'S MY GOALOriginal Oil47½” x 60”

Also available as a commemorative limited edition of 150, celebrating 150 years of Bramall Lane.

IF A PICTURE PAINTS A THOUSAND WORDSBy John Garrett, Sheffield United Football Club Historian

I used to love drawing and painting. I would sit and spend hours

doodling away and colouring things in – mainly football players and

mostly in red and white stripes. Football tends to attract its fair

share of artists, some good and some decidedly average.

Sheffield United Football Club Chairman David Green is very

much an appreciator of a good painting. Through collecting pictures,

he became an avid fan of the work of a Yorkshire artist Bob Barker.

Now the thing with Bob, aside of masses of talent, is that he is

what it says on the tin – a working class Yorkshire lad who found

he could do a bit with a brush and paint. Bob certainly has a totally

individual and thought-provoking style. Though born in Leeds, he

has been in Bradford for many years, and that is where his studio is

based. His pictures, to me anyway, evoke feelings of being northern

– never a bad thing in my book – and he highlights the joy of

situations and life with a hint of stark colour against an intentionally

bleak canvas. The results are both beautiful and striking.

As a result Bob has become a very-sought after talent, indeed. His

prints exchange hands for vast amounts, as do the sets and themes

he produces – the original far, far more.

Now, David got talking to Bob at the right time for both parties.

The Football Club chairman wanted an image to illustrate Sheffield

United and Bob wanted to look for a different angle – perfect!

Bob’s eye for turning the different and decidedly unexpected into

something both thought-provoking and special has really come

to the fore here. “That’s My Goal” brings to life a view that many

will have seen time and time again, yet it epitomises both Bramall

Lane and the city, which it has served for so long. Portraying all of

the things that make us so special that we seldom shout from the

rooftops – the heritage and history of the contribution we have

brought to the beautiful game.

The images contained within this literature are an artistic representation of the collection. To best experience our art, we recommend you contact your local gallery to arrange a viewing.

© Washington Green 2013. The content of this brochure is subject to copyright and no part can be reproduced without prior permission. washingtongreen.co.uk

BY B O B B A R K E R

JUMPERSFOR GOALPOSTS