Drawing and Tarling: A Larkin Day at the Hull History Centre

In August 1984 Philip Larkin wrote to his friend, Hull musician, artist and publisher, Ted Tarling, to thank him for the gift of one of his paintings. Larkin described Tarling’s style as a ‘meticulous melancholy’ which captured life as he himself saw it. Inspired by their friendship, Hull History Centre and The Philip Larkin Society are hosting two events, beginning with ‘Picturing Larkin’, an artistic exploration of ‘Larkinalia’, in which artists are invited to respond to objects once to belonging to Philip Larkin through drawing or painting. In the afternoon Graham Chesters of the Philip Larkin Society will present a talk about Larkin and his connection with the fascinating life and work of Ted Tarling.

Each event is £5, book both events for a discounted price of £7.

Images:

Larkin holding a Ted Tarling painting in frame

Ted Tarling painting of Pearson Park

Larkin cartoon listening to Jazz

Larkin's pencils (Larkinalia held at the Hull History Centre)

Info: Arrangements of objects and clothes from the archive of Philip Larkin will be displayed for you to draw or paint. This session will be led by Peter Eaves, archivist at Hull History Centre who leads a local life-drawing group. Artists of all ages and abilities welcome. Basic materials will be provided.

Info: Larkin and Hull’s Ted Tarling had a lot in common: a love of jazz, a passion for the printed word (especially poetry), mutual friendships and a shared interest in simple melancholy art. Their limited exchange of correspondence shows deep respect for each other. The talk is a brief introduction to a rich field of research.

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Host or Publisher Philip Larkin Society