The amazing French travelling artist
It’s not often an artist from France arrives at the gates of Rectory Road Nurseries. Today however was different!
After spending a night sleeping in the grave yard of the Church of the Holy Trinity, arrived at Rectory Road.
On introducing himself he set out to explain the quest he was on… and wow what a quest.
His story began sometime ago in Brens, France. This outsider artist decided he wanted to visit a list of places he found powerful and inspirational across the UK. With little more than a small suitcase full of artists materials and few Euros to his name, he set out to hitch hike his way across the length and breadth if the UK.
Number 16 on his list was believe it or not was Rectory Road Nurseries and the artwork created by Kevin and Carl Duffy.
He arrived soon after the nurseries closed on the 5th August, with his small suitcase he took a short walk to the church and lay down his head in the grave yard for the night. Mid morning on the 6th he introduced himself to the father and son team Kevin and Carl.
On hearing his story and after a tour of the sculptures and art in the Nursery, Kevin asked “what have you done for food today then?” The reply was “oh I’ll find something later, I am setting off to Liverpool on foot and need to find £26.50 for the ferry to Northern Ireland before I eat”.
As anyone who’s visited the Nursery will tell you, Kevin and Carl are renowned for their hospitality, but this fantastic quest required something a little more than ‘a brew and biscuits’. Kevin rustled up a full English breakfast to set Thomas up for the day, followed by a packed lunch including desert for the rest of the journey.
After some time they helped Thomas on his way, taking him to the East Lancs, here they bid each other good luck and farewell.
Thomas funds his quest by creating one off pieces of art. The pieces are made from materials he finds along the way, selling them pennies to anyone who wishes to purchase. Kevin and Carl duly obliged a stunning piece of art work created by none other than the Tiramisu Bootfighter himself Thomas Philibert.
If you would like to follow this incredible artists journey you can visit his Facebook page
Kevin and Carl wish Thomas good luck and safe passage throughout his journey and are privileged to have been a destination for such a unique and inspirational French artist.
