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An oil painting of a colourful scene depicting a winding road over a bridge and through the hills of the Peak District. A river can be seen below the level of the road to the left of the painting. An oil painting of a colourful scene depicting a winding road over a bridge and through the hills of the Peak District. A river can be seen below the level of the road to the left of the painting.

Kenneth Steel, The Snake Pass, 1958. Image © Rob Whitrow

Kenneth Steel, The Snake Pass, 1958. Image © Rob Whitrow

Places in Time: The Art of Kenneth Steel

Fri 17 December 2021 - Mon 2 May 2022

Weston Park Museum

Born in Sheffield, Kenneth Steel was a skilled artist and commercial illustrator who created visuals for classic mid-century travel posters and architectural landmarks, yet his name remains little known.

 

This exhibition shed new light on Steel's considerable achievements and brought together the most comprehensive collection of his art ever to go on display.

Places in Time celebrated the breadth of Steel's artistic career. Alongside examples of his early printmaking, visitors saw architectural watercolours and perspective drawings visualising buildings from the Jodrell Bank Observatory to Sheffield's own Moore Street electricity substation. The exhibition showcased the familiar railway and carriage posters Steel created, as well as a collection of oil paintings he made of locations from the Balearic Islands to New York City.

This exhibition has now closed

Weston Park Museum

Western Bank

Sheffield

S10 2TP

A painting of a castle consisting of several buildings and courtyard areas. There is a turreted gatehouse and drawbridge and a river winds around the castle walls and into the distance. Several houses, figures and horses can be seen in the forefront of the painting and hills and peaks in the background.

Kenneth Steel, Sheffield Castle, 1964

Image © The Co-op

Exhibition highlights

  • An oil painting of a leafy town scene. There is a row of trees to the left, alongside a street to one side and a park to the other with colourful flowers. To the right is a row of buildings and shops with red and white striped awnings. There are several figures walking in the park and down the street.

    Kenneth Steel, Harrogate, 1953

    Image © Rob Whitrow

  • A colourful travel poster promoting Skegness, produced for British Railways. There is a town scene with fairground, beach and pier going out into the sea. The slogan reads Skegness is so bracing.

    Kenneth Steel, Skegness is So Bracing, 1956

    © Science Museum Group

  • An atmospheric oil painting of an evening city scene, using striking colours. There is a church in the background and many buildings in the foreground with several figures.

    Kenneth Steel, Reflections (St Mary's Church, Sheffield), 1963

    © Rosensteils London

  • A painting of a village scene with a stone bridge to the left and stream at the forefront. There is a tree to the right and the road winds into the background, lined with stone houses and cottages.

    Kenneth Steel, A Derbyshire Market Town, Bakewell, 1932

    Image © Rob Whitrow

  • A pencil drawing of an electricity station. The building is large with road running alongside. There are several cars and figures depicted.

    Kenneth Steel, Electricity Sub Station, Moore Street, Sheffield, 1965-6

    Image © Rob Whitrow

  • An oil painting of a colourful scene depicting a winding road over a bridge and through the hills of the Peak District. A river can be seen below the level of the road to the left of the painting.

    Kenneth Steel, The Snake Pass, 1958

    Image © Rob Whitrow

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