We’re pleased to introduce a meaningful new artwork to The Harris collection.

We’re delighted to share the acquisition of a painting by Preston-born artist James Brindle (1892–1977), generously gifted by Louise and Anne. The painting is the work of “Uncle Jim,” and has been in their home for generations. The Harris already holds three of Brindle’s oil paintings and two watercolours, making this a particularly special addition.

Born deaf, Brindle was educated at the Royal Cross School for the Deaf in Preston. He began his career in a cotton mill before becoming a commercial poster artist and later a celebrated landscape and marine painter. A familiar figure at The Harris, he regularly exhibited here and was known for supporting aspiring artists, often giving demonstrations with the help of an interpreter. Remarkably, he continued painting until just days before his death.

This newly gifted work comes with a deeply personal story. Here, Louise and Anne share the story of their family and the painting that has been in their home for generations…

“As a child our Mum, Margaret Turner, (nee Hindley) lived on West Cliff, just off Fishergate Hill in Preston. She had extended family close by with whom she was close.

When we were children, Mum regularly took me and my older sister, Anne to visit our grandparents on West Cliff, and sometimes we would make the short walk down Fishergate Hill to visit Mum’s Uncle Jim and Auntie Mary. ’Uncle Jim’ was James Brindle, the Preston-based artist who was born completely deaf. His wife, Mary Brindle (nee Hindley), was also deaf and they communicated using British sign language.

Mum saw a lot of them and their daughter and she picked up quite a lot signing. I can still remember standing, as a child, in the small front room of their terraced house watching transfixed as they had a conversation with hands and facial expressions.

We knew that Uncle Jim was an artist and even as children we realised that was something special, but it wasn’t until much later that we fully appreciated his skill.

When Mum died in November 2024 Anne and I inherited a still life painting by James Brindle. It is oil on canvas depicting a vase of flowers, which we have always thought to be Chrysanthemums.

It had hung in our homes as far back as our memories go. We were never aware of it having an official title but simply referred to it affectionately as ‘Uncle Jim’s painting’. We do not know how Mum came to have the painting. We think it might have been a gift, possibly a wedding present in 1954. That is a lovely thought but unfortunately we now have no means of verifying it.

We discovered that two photographic transparencies were attached to the back of the painting. They show Uncle Jim, sitting on his folding stool with his easel and palette, painting a landscape – probably in the Lake District. They are special and happy images and we had them digitised so that they can be shared with others.

We feel sure that Mum and Uncle Jim would have been as pleased as we are to see the painting at the Harris Museum,  back in our family’s home town of Preston where others can enjoy it too.”