Norman Weaver

A surprise tribute

I found this write-up on the Internet quite by accident. Thank you for this, Bob Worrillow - hope you don't mind me including it.

Norman Weaver: The artist you didn't know you knew

2009 May 13 - Rob Worrillow

Do you ever stop to wonder who's responsible for the objects and imagery that surrounds our everyday lives? You do? Wow! That's exceptional. I wish I was more like you.

Well answer this one then. Are you over 30 years of age, and as a child, did you spend time without measure trying to decide between the delicious confectionary delights that ranged along the newsagent's counter just inches from your eyes? Did you ever, as I so often did when I got the chance, opt for the creamy velvety taste of Cadbury's Dairy Milk Chocolate?  Did you choose it because the picture on the paper wrapper reminded you just how much pleasure was hiding beneath that and the tantalising purple foil? Oh you did? Well you may like to read about the original artist whose simple but evocative imagery was responsible for that connection between your taste buds and your purchasing decision.

Just recently, while on holiday in the Isle of Wight, I had a slight mishap. A negligent moment is probably more what it was. I lost my wallet. An hour later my bank rang my mobile phone to tell me. Surprised, and feeling rather foolish, I spoke to the caller while patting my pockets. St Anthony (the patron saint of lost things) must have been on my side though, because he'd serendipitously entrusted my property to a lady by the name of Sarah, who had both kept it safe, and reported the loss.

After speaking to Sarah, I eventually found her house, by using my less than perfect navigation technique of heading off by the compass and hoping for the best. As kind and helpful as she sounded, I wasn't really looking forward to the prospect of facing my own embarrassment as I collected my lost leather and plastic. But I need not have worried. She was very considerate, most helpful and had many interesting things to say. This is the point where serendipity made its entrance.

It turned out that Sarah's father, no longer with us, had been an artist Norman Weaver. I didn't know the name but I was able to read all about him that very evening via a web site that Sarah has created and dedicated to him. It's a fairly ordinary story you'll agree, and I only post it here in order to entertain and introduce you to someone whose work you're almost certainly familiar with, but for whom you knew no name perhaps. Aside from that though, my other main thought on the subject is: how many other wisps of chance pass us by and we never know? The knowledge of people who are less visible because they're gone, but no less important to those who resolve keep their name spoken, memory treasured, and their achievements attested to.

To read about Norman Weaver and to view some of his work, visit NormanWeaver.com