Gary Bunt (1957 – 2025) became one of the most beloved artists in Britain. With his instantly recognisable, quintessentially British charm his paintings and sculptures have found an audience across the world. There is an abounding sense of peace and calm to the artist’s work – recalling a world now largely lost – but the greatest sentiment is without doubt the unbridled joy that shines out from his canvases. Bunt was an artist that truly loved to paint. It was the thing that motivated him each day, heading out to his sacred ‘shed’ (his name for the studio in his garden). Not a day went by when painting was not foremost on his mind.

Born in East Peckham in 1957, Bunt drew inspiration from a rich array of sources. In particular he looked to the great canons of Modern British art, and his unique painterly style draws on the work of artists such as Alfred Wallis, Christopher Wood and Winifred Nicholson. Yet his subject matter is wholly his own. His paintings embody the everyman – quite literally with the central character of Bert and his dog that features in many of his works. Initially drawn as his father, Bert has, over the passage of time come to represent the artist himself. Travelling through the countryside via the many villages and farmyards, fishing the fast rushing rivers and strolling on the windswept beaches, Bert takes us on a very British journey, with the scenes and landscapes reminiscent of many of our youths.

Faith played a pivotal role for Bunt, and his visionary religious approach – reminiscent of that of the great Stanley Spencer – is visible in much of his work. In some he reimagined scenes from the Bible unfolding in his local surroundings, Jesus appearing amongst the rolling Sussex hills. His faith is approachable through his paintings and sculptures, and in 2020 his interpretations of stories from the New Testament travelled the breadth of Britain’s cathedrals.

Another stream that dominated his work was the artist’s passion for twentieth-century British art, and his paintings and sculpture often draw parallels with the most popular painters of the past century. In 2021 he completed a series of twelve tribute paintings celebrating the work of the artists that have inspired him. Showcasing the artist’s great technical ability and understanding they allow the viewer a brief glimmer into his artistic mindset.

In an age when artists come and go, Gary Bunt’s works stand the test of time. Highly accomplished, passionate and accessible, he rightly holds his place as one of the most successful and sought-after artists in Britain today.