Paintings of a prestigious production of The Tempest starring Sir Patrick Stewart could cause a stir when they are displayed here at The Dukes for Lancaster’s Season of Shakespeare this month. A selection of works by acclaimed artist Alan O’Cain, which were first exhibited in London, will be on display in the gallery from February 20-March 11. Painting the Tempest is the result of Alan’s creative collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 2006-7 production of The Tempest.  

Alan’s original sketchbooks will also be displayed in the Rare Books Room at the university which is hosting the British Shakespeare Conference from February 24-26. During the conference, he will discuss the creation of his artworks inspired by The Tempest as one of a panel of speakers talking on the subject of Imaging Shakespeare.

Alan O’Cain has been a full-time artist since 2003 and as well as working with the RSC, he has exhibited paintings inspired by writers at the Hay Festival and artworks for Glyndebourne Opera. In 2008, he was artist-in-residence in Edvard Munch’s preserved Ekely Studio and since then has been developing ambitious projects inspired by Munch’s life. In 2013, Alan will attempt to place an illuminated outline of Munch’s house onto the roof of a tower block in Sunderland, the town where he was born. Alan also enjoys exploring the limits of portraiture and has created works based on encounters with several important people from the worlds of art, theatre, music and literature including Sir Patrick Stewart, Sir Bob Geldof, Sting, Seamus Heaney and Ken Russell.

 Painting the Tempest runs from February 20-March 11 at The Dukes gallery which is open from 10am-11pm, Monday to Saturday. Please call the box office on 01524 598500 to check opening times if you’re making a special journey as occasionally the space is closed to the public.