Artist's sketches celebrate 'the power of nans'

A grandma with pink curly hair, a spotted dress and glasses bites into a chip buttyImage source, Pete McKee
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Comical caricatures feature in Pete McKee's work

  • Published

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.

Media caption,

Pete McKee celebrates nans in Sheffield

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."

A colourful drawing of a nan with pink hair carrying a basket of laundry, as seen from above. She is standing next to a washing line with a couple of pegs and a brown bird sat on it.Image source, Pete McKee
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McKee has created 100 drawings of nans for the exhibition

He said: "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".

A pencil drawing of a round woman in a tight tracksuit exercising on a mat, a radio and dumbbells are at her feetImage source, Pete McKee
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McKee was awarded an honorary doctorate by Sheffield Hallam University for his contribution to culture in Sheffield

The charity said it ran a scheme, external 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."

A pencil drawing of two women in flowery dresses and hats. A slim lady on the left is looking at a larger woman on the right and gesturing with her hand. Both wear beaded necklaces, glasses and are holding handbags.Image source, Pete McKee
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McKee said the exhibition was a "nod to the power of the rebelliousness of a nan"

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