In 1995 I worked for three months on the Falkland Islands at the invitation of the then Falklands Governor, Mr David Tatham. The commission, which was 'to give the islanders a view of themselves from the outside', resulted in twenty charcoal portraits as well as a further thirty larger drawings and oils - mostly in response to aspects of farming on the islands as well as their astonishing wildlife.
Running Fence is made up of 9 parts. There is a strange ambiguity about these headless creatures (sheep skins hung out to dry) seemingly cavorting along the line of a fence.
Don Bonner sat for a couple of portraits in my makeshift studio - a cottage in the garden of Government House. He was a relaxed and patient sitter. Don was a third generation Falkland Islander and, back in 1982 at the time of the Argentine invasion, he had been working for the then governor Rex Hunt as his buttler and also as his chauffeur - driving the maroon taxi which served as the official car.
Exhibited:
2019 'Drawn from Life' solo exhibition at The Beacon Museum, Whitehaven, Cumbria
Exhibited:
2019 'Drawn from Life' - solo exhibition at The Beacon Museum, Whitehaven, Cumbria
2018 'Drawings by Alan Stones' - solo exhibition at Vallum Gallery, University of Cumbria, Carlisle
1996 'Looking out from Within' - solo exhibition at Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, Carlisle, Cumbria
Fox Bay East together with Fox Bay West make up the largest settlement on West Falkland. It was here that Robin Marsh, a local resident, agreed to sit for a portrait drawing. It went unusually well and after 30-40 minutes I was really pleased with the result. So, Robin generously agreed to continue sitting whist I made a second drawing. He kept the first one and I kept this second one.
Exhibited:
2018 'Drawings by Alan Stones' solo exhibition at Vallum Gallery, University of Cumbria, Carlisle