John Michael Akers, 1936-2009

 

Windswept Landscape by John Akers. Oil. In County Hall reserve. Part of the HCC Art Collection.

 

July Landscape, Bramfield by John Akers. Oil. In County Hall reserve. Part of the HCC Art Collection.

 

Poppies and Barley by John Akers. Oil and acrylic. In County Hall reserve. Part of the HCC Art Collection.

 

Bramfield Woods by John Akers. Oil and acrylic. In County Hall reserve. Part of the HCC Art Collection.

John Akers, is a local Hertfordshire artist that you might not be completely familiar with, but whose pictures will make an impression when you see them. The bright and vibrant colours he used in his work, make his paintings instantly recognisable. Perhaps you have seen his “Mid-Hertfordshire Landscape” in  St Alban’s Library, or “Bowling Green, Old Stevenage” and “View of Stevenage” at Daneshill House, Stevenage.

Akers was also a teacher at Monk’s Walk School in Welwyn Garden City and at Sheredes School in Hoddesdon.  He exhibited several paintings at the Great Amwell Festival Art Exhibition 1981 and the programme mentions several works with familiar names in them like: “Tewin Viaduct”, “Gobiens Farm & Cedar Tree”, or “Bramfield Windswept Landscape”.

Akers passed away in 2009 and his daughter Helen held a final exhibition of his work at The Boxfield Gallery in Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre in February 2010. Helen talked about her father’s work fondly, saying, “The paintings convey a beautiful sense of light…” and highlighted his “fascination with the colour, light and pattern of the landscape in all seasons, with its characteristic hedgerows, fields and wildflowers” in a Welwyn and Hatfield Times article dated 7 Feb 2010 she went on to say, “… there are many homes in WGC with paintings by John Akers proudly hung on the walls.”

We are lucky to have  four pictures by John Akers in the Hertfordshire County Council Art Collection. They are currently in storage but we are looking for a suitable display venue so everyone in the county can see and enjoy them. Please get in touch If you know of a place locally where these beautiful works could and should be displayed. We would also like to find out more about Akers work, perhaps you yourself have a John Akers painting hanging on your wall today, please let us know as we would love to hear more stories about this wonderful local artist.

Resources Used for this Article:

Pamphlets file from HALS of the Great Amwell Festival Art Exhibition 1981, in Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies.

WHTimes article by Naiomi Madden, 7 Feb 2010: Daughter’s tribute to Welwyn Garden City dad | Welwyn Hatfield Times (whtimes.co.uk)

Art UK website: Akers, John Michael, 1936–2009 | Art UK