Sheffield artist’s sketches celebrate ‘the power of nans’

A collection of sketches by a Sheffield artist have gone on display to celebrate “the power of nans”.

Pete McKee said the influence of the nans in his life had inspired to him to create more than 100 nostalgic drawings to capture “their love, strength and fun”.

McKee said: “I consider my nans as iconic figures to be put on a pedestal and worshipped for the mighty women that they are.”

The exhibition is on at the RedHouse Gallery in Harrogate until Saturday before moving to the McKee Gallery in Sheffield on 11 and 12 October.

McKee, who is known for his colourful depictions of everyday life in South Yorkshire, said nans were powerful figures who gave valuable advice and support to families and played a big role in nurturing younger generations.

He said the exhibition, which features a selection of his pencil sketches and ink drawings, was a “nod to the power of the rebelliousness of a nan, the stoic working class values of a nan.”

He added: “I wanted to create an exhibition celebrating the power and the love we have for them.”

“They’re formidable characters and there’s a loving side to them, too.”

The artist’s emphasis on the importance of such a role has been echoed by the charity Adopt a Grandparent, which said the life-experience and encouragement given by grandparents was “like giving ‘gold”.

The charity said it ran a scheme where volunteers were matched to older people in care homes and it had enriched the lives of those involved.

David Annand, head of operations, said often the volunteers had grown up without a grandparent in their lives.

“It hugely benefits the young volunteer.

“Recently, after speaking weekly to a 77-year-old grandma in a care home, a 14-year old lad wanted to meet up with her.

“His dad took him along. She told him not to be frightened of trying things in life and that you quite often regret the things you don’t do rather than the things you do.”