Derry artist’s striking portraits capture heroism on the frontline

Retired Derry art teacher Barry Turton has created a catalogue of works which capture the grit and determination of the nurses and other frontline staff tasked with helping those afflicted with coronavirus and helping to keep the rest of us safe.

Barry was a teacher at St. Joseph’s Boys’ School for 16 years, and also taught at St. Brigid’s College, Carnhill and St. Patrick’s, Maghera prior to his retirement.

Speaking about the project, Barry said he wanted to do something to mark the heroic efforts of the women and men on the frontline in what is a period of time like no other.

“I wanted to say thank you for all the work by the NHS staff, the frontline staff, in my way, and I was motivated by that first night when everybody came out to clap. People that I know sent in photographs of family members, or nurses and staff, and there are also pictures from magazines and online.

“It is an appreciation of the work and dedication of the nurses and frontline workers that are out there taking our place, and as a warning that this COVID crisis is not over and that social distancing is important.”

Barry recalls in those days leading up to the lockdown “the absolute fear and terror on the faces of people working behind counters” in stores and elsewhere as people came in and might have pushed past them.

Barry’s portraits feature on an 8ft by 4ft banner created with iPrint, which can now be seen at Hatfield Eurospar Store in Hatmore, where there are frontline shop workers working day and daily. The siting has also been fitting as some of those same staff also have close relatives working in the NHS.

Barry said he never intended the paintings to be “pretty” but rather to show the reality of what the people depicted were facing and dealing with head on, be it a nurse, cleaner or postman. “They show the bruises and the scars of their work and their dedication and love for their people”.

And Barry is well aware of the importance of such workers, with his own mother having passed away prior to the pandemic in a care home in December of last year.

“I had been thinking about the workers in the care homes comforting the elderly and looking after them; their dedication.”

Barry’s wife Catherine is also the main carer for her 43-year-old brother Michael, who has a rare condition called Angelman Syndrome. Michael, who lives with Catherine and Barry, requires constant care as he is severely brain damaged and is very vulnerable. As such, the couple and their two teenage children have had to be exceptionally careful during the lockdown.

Michael said it was worrying seeing the change in the patterns of behaviour in society generally over recent weeks amid wider fears that complacency is setting in.

“This isn’t over,” he says. “The coronavirus is still there and there is still the chance of bringing it into the house”.

Mixed messages coming from some official quarters, particularly the Tory government in London, he asserts, have been dangerous in the extreme and he believes those responsible for such confusion should be held to account rather than a situation being allowed to unfold where the public are blamed.

He said the way health care staff were treated in terms of pay freezes and what amounted to salaries being slashed in the months and years prior to the pandemic by the government, and the conditions with PPE during it, also informed his motivation for the portraits.

Commenting on his new works, Noelle Mc Alinden, Creative Adviser, Artist and Curator said: “I have known Barry over 20 years as gifted artist and dedicated Art and Design Teacher, whose recent work has shown huge compassion for and gratitude to the extraordinary frontline workers that have supported us and protected us selflessley.

“The empathy he has captured for their commitment is heartfelt. Emotively charged, moving and poignant of a time we will never forget.

“I am delighted to see Barry’s work being featured, and the ongoing profile of the real heroes in the public eye, of their selfless work in the most challenging of times.

“Barry often showed the same compassion and commitment to the many students he taught and inspired.”