Description

The Hikers c.1970

The Hikers c.1970 is an original character painting inspired by the rituals, hierarchies and wonderfully ordinary characters of British working life.

I love those moments when people were temporarily removed from their usual surroundings — the factory, office or shop floor — but somehow brought all the same relationships with them.

Who was in charge. Who tagged along. Who came properly equipped. And who had already had quite enough of the whole thing.

It’s part social history, part imagined story and part recognition. It’s long before base layers, energy bars and hi-tech carrying systems – yet the dreaded Team Building day hasn’t altered that much in spirit.

You could leave the office. Apparently you couldn’t leave the office hierarchy behind.

The annual works outing, sometime around 1970.

An opportunity for fresh air, exercise and bonding with your colleagues — whether you wanted to bond with them or not.

The boss was still the boss. The quiet one from Accounts was still the quiet one from Accounts. Someone had a rucksack covered in badges from places he’d never actually been, and by lunchtime the egg sandwiches were becoming distinctly sweaty.

People you’ve never met. Faces you somehow remember.

Original Character Painting

This is the original character painting, not a reproduction, and is a one-of-a-kind artwork signed by Sue Dewhurst. Painted in acrylic on chunky boxed canvas 12 x 12 x 1.5 inches ready to hang on your wall.

Original artwork
One of a kind
Signed by Sue Dewhurst
£425

Created in my studio in West Wales.

Perhaps they remind you of people you worked with. Or perhaps you already know exactly which one you would have been.

Discover more original character paintings on my website here