2017 April Artwork of the Month
Knock Out Punch
Artist: Larry Ham (1934-2007)
Medium: Oil on canvas
Status: Permanent collection
Lawrence Gordon 'Larry' Ham was born in Newquay, Cornwall. From childhood he had always drawn and had excelled at art. However, his first professional experience with paint and brush was through his apprenticeship with a decorating firm in Newquay, where he learnt to make and mix paint. Shortly after this Larry moved to London where he became enrolled at Chelsea School of Art.
In 1958 Larry married and moved to Guernsey with Patricia (Paddy), with the intention of becoming a full time painter. Larry soon made his mark on the local art scene when he became involved with the local art group 'Focus' and exhibited regularly at the Coach House Gallery.
This painting alludes to the artist's early promising career as a boxer, cut short due to an injury. Boxing has inspired some of the greatest writers and artists such as TS Eliot, Ernest Hemingway, George Bellows and Picasso.