Comments on: Henry Silk, Artist & Basket Maker

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 21:27:01 +0000

I have recently become aware of Henry Silk….the picture in my parents lounge is a Henry Silk of a Church Hall ion Old Ford Road. He painting was given to my great grandfather.

By: Jean Edwards

Jean Edwards — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 08:03:32 +0000

Hello Mandy, the sister I am referring to is my mum, Ellen Hawthorn. She is the sister of Elwin Hawthorn (the artist) and the daughter of Elwin and Ellen Hawthorn. She is also the niece of Henry Silk. I think that must make us second cousins or something like that!! She is still alive and is 94 years old. I remember my mum talking about “Chris”, my grandad’s sister.

By: mandy gifford

mandy gifford — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 14:01:35 +0000

elwin was my g uncle his sister christna maud being my grand mother on my mothers side.I would like to ask Jean Edwards what sister is she refering to,We must be cousins.

By: Jean Edwards

Jean Edwards — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:58:27 +0000

By the way, also forgot to mention that I, too, lived in 11 Rounton Road with everybody until my mum and dad moved in 1960. So the bottom photograph taken by Elwin is of particular interest to me!

By: Jean Edwards

Jean Edwards — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:56:43 +0000

As mentioned in Elwin Hawthorn’s biography, Henry Silk was my mother’s uncle (therefore my great uncle) and he lived with her until his death. My mother is still alive and is 93! She is Elwin Hawthorn’s sister.

I have just been reading “From Bow to Biennale” and have found is fascinating as there are many quotes in there, some about mum, which she has forgotten about herself!

By: Alison Sye

Alison Sye — Sat, 11 May 2013 17:52:03 +0000

I always look forward to reading this blog, and it never disappoints. Another great post. Love the paintings – a touch of Vincent in that bedroom one.

By: Sally

Sally — Sat, 11 May 2013 07:15:38 +0000

I love ‘The bedroom’ and ‘Bedside chair’.

By: Peter Holford

Peter Holford — Fri, 10 May 2013 09:24:46 +0000

I love the still-life. Together with Lady Nicotine it shows a sense of humour and perhaps his acceptance of a smoking habit.

By: Nicholas Sack

Nicholas Sack — Fri, 10 May 2013 09:10:07 +0000

Thanks, David, for more fascinating insights on the East London Group. I especially admire the intense Van Goghian joy of Silk’s ‘The Bedroom’ – and the French artists’ attraction to the “cool, frail London light”. Has that quality disappeared since the 1930s, or does it take an outsider to see it?