Local Artist’s Story Pictures at the Millennium Gallery, Sheffield
I went to see a great exhibition at the Millennium Gallery, Sheffield a couple of weeks ago . And it was called Nomadic Tales by Richard Bartle , including lots of story pictures .
![](https://i2.wp.com/margarethallfineart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_20200208_133634.jpg?fit=525%2C680)
Honesty , we were so delighted to be able to walk round with Richard himself . Because he told us the fascinating stories behind his huge paintings . As you can see , they were painted on canvas material , just like banners . I know that Richard took inspiration from the medieval illustrations of a 14th century artist and storyteller Siyah Kalem . Interestingly, the artist used the motifs of men and demons in his paintings . In this way , he could comment on the everyday life of the nomadic tribes .He concentrated mainly on those who lived on the Silk Road in Asia .
![A banner , painted with two fierce demons fighting - one of Richard's story pictures](https://i1.wp.com/margarethallfineart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_20200208_133543.jpg?fit=525%2C616)
Living in Istanbul
Richard lives part of the year in Istanbul , Turkey. And he has put his own interpretation of the life and political turmoil of the area into his story pictures .
![](https://i2.wp.com/margarethallfineart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_20200208_133949.jpg?fit=525%2C614)
Its a really inspiring show – try and catch it if you are in the area . So , I hope you enjoyed my exhibition review !
![](https://i1.wp.com/margarethallfineart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_20200208_133811.jpg?fit=525%2C700)
To tell the truth , I do enjoy painting story pictures myself . And , funnily enough , I painted the story of how the secret of making silk was smuggled out of China . Actually, it was done by a Chinese princess . To explain , she hid the silkworms and cocoons in her huge headdress , according to the legend . ( See more Story Pictures here )
My Story Pictures
![A Chinese princess in medieval dress showing us the silkworm she has smuggled out of the country . She's standing on the Silk Road . One of my story pictures](https://i2.wp.com/margarethallfineart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/68869546_1413994298758354_6661848305955241984_o.jpg?fit=525%2C260)
This is a romantic version of history , of course . But I am also drawn to putting social comment into my pictures . In fact , I have painted a series particularly highlighting the problems of women in our modern world . Just like this one in the image below.
![](https://i1.wp.com/margarethallfineart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/61651413_1349028071921644_8116191899590590464_o.jpg?fit=525%2C679)
This one ‘ Caged Bird ‘ was painted for the exhibition ‘Vote 100 – a Century of Change ‘ for the Cooper Gallery ,Barnsley here .Now , the exhibition was last year and all about the suffragettes and their struggles to get the vote . Incidentally, I was lucky enough to sell this one to a lovely lady at the exhibition !
Women in Modern Society
![A semi-abstract acrylic painting in soft , muted pinks and greens . A woman confined at home - one of my story pictures .](https://i1.wp.com/margarethallfineart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/69030329_1406256379532146_5354059158352035840_o.jpg?fit=525%2C717)
As you can see , in this painting , I explored the idea of the restricted lives that some women lead . Subsequently , I followed this theme over quite a few paintings . And I sort of brought it to a conclusion with this last one below ‘ Women in Chaos ‘ . Here I show a woman trying to deal with all the pressures and problems modern life can throw at us .
![](https://i2.wp.com/margarethallfineart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/74564856_1467809466710170_5963066438385139712_o.jpg?fit=525%2C525)
Perhaps this is pretty heavy stuff – I suppose it is . But I like all kinds of art . And that means including the kind that really makes you think and I particularly enjoy a story picture.