South Shields woman helps to preserve Lowry shipwreck drawing of her hometown

Valerie Hamill has adopted a drawing which pictures the wreck of the Adelfotis II on the South Shields coastline in 1963.

She had seen the shipwreck herself as a child with her mother, father and sisters.

Her donation to The Lowry arts centre, in Salford – home to the largest public collection of works by Lowry in the world – was marked today when Mrs Hamill unveiled the work in the gallery alongside curator Claire Stewart.

Mrs Hamill said: “I’ve been an admirer of Lowry’s work all my life, and I remember going to see the wreck of the Adelfotis as a child.

“To think he was there somewhere at the same time, sketching away, is exciting, and when I heard there was a chance to help preserve his work by adopting this drawing, I didn’t hesitate.

“It’s a beautiful piece and to have the chance to see it up close has been a real treat.”

Claire Stewart added: “Lowry was a regular visitor to the North East and he made many paintings and drawings of the area, including the South Shields coastline.

“Valerie’s contribution to the gallery is very welcome indeed and helps to support The Lowry Collection, which includes over 400 paintings, drawings and sketches.”

The Lowry’s ‘Adopt a Lowry’ scheme is an initiative to help raise funds to help preserve, restore and display the LS Lowry Collection.

It also supports the arts centre’s extensive learning and engagement programme. For more information, visit www.thelowry.com/AdoptALowry

In July 2014, The Lowry galleries were renamed The Andrew and Zoë Law Galleries in recognition of the couple’s £1million donation to the arts centre, which is a registered charity.