Eric Tucker's Posthumous Art Career Redefines 'Outsider Artist'

The late Warrington painter, once overlooked, is now celebrated for his evocative depictions of working-class life in northern England.

Eric Tucker, a self-taught artist from Warrington, painted over 500 works depicting working-class life but kept his art largely hidden during his lifetime.
His nephew, Joe Tucker, discovered the paintings after Eric's death in 2018 and organized an exhibition in his council house, drawing thousands of visitors and media attention.
Tucker's art has been compared to LS Lowry, though his work focuses on close, intimate portrayals of individuals rather than distant industrial landscapes.
Despite a few moments of recognition during his life, such as a reviewed solo show in 1963 and a museum acquisition in 1996, Tucker's talent was largely unacknowledged until after his death.
Joe Tucker's book, 'The Secret Painter,' explores Eric's life, his struggles as a working-class artist, and broader issues of class barriers in the art world.