Project 1a: Vagrancy

In 1996 or thereabouts, Robert exhibited the following paintings at The Annexe and associated them with the Vagrancy Project in 1973.

However, several features of the exhibition lead one to conclude that most of the paintings were of far newer vintage. Firstly, the images show the thin paint and very purple pallette seen in the artist's later work rather than the thick paint and sombre blues and greens of 'genuine' vagrancy work. There is also the proponderance of images of Les Ryder, looking his age in 1996 rather than 1973! It is no coincidence that Mr Ryder was the only surviving vagrant still available to sit for paintings.

The condition of the older canvases suggest that much of the work consisted of extensive restoration of old canvases - often to the point of complete repainting.

  1. The Bishop’ and the Painter dance to Mahler in ‘Jacob’s Ladder’.
  2. ‘King Ryder’.
  3. Crying man in Wells St Skipper.
  4. Double study for ‘Plymouth Mourning over its Unfortunates’ (This painting can be viewed at the main studio.)
  5. Les Ryder just out of prison (Available as a Limited Edition print.)
  6. Diogenes’ in the window studio at night.
  7. Albert Edward Ernest Fisher (‘The Bishop’) startled.
  8. Les Ryder sleeping in ‘Jacob’s Ladder’.
  9. The Singer’ asleep in ‘Jacob’s Ladder’.
  10. ‘The Lynch’ asleep in ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ (The Cardboard Box man).
  11. Les Ryder in blanket.
  12. ‘Box-car Riley’ Isolation Study.
  13. ‘Box-car Riley’ Rear View Isolation Study.
  14. The Bishop’ explaining to ‘Diogenes’ why the sky was falling down. ‘Diogenes’ did not want to listen, but I did.
  15. ‘Black Mac’ crying - The Man with big hands.
  16. Diogenes’ Double study.
  17. Les Ryder judging the world in his sleep.
  18. The Bishop’ talking to the fox in Stoke Damerel Churchyard.
  19. Diogenes’ reading the newspaper.
  20. The Bishop’, ‘Diogenes’ and Les Ryder asleep in ‘Jacob’s Ladder’.
    Study for ‘Plymouth Mourning over its Unfortunates’. See No. 4.
  21. The Bishop’ asleep on red chair.
  22. The Bishop’ and ‘Diogenes’ naked.