L.S. Lowry's 1966 Interview Reveals Weariness with Painting and Industrial Scene Obsession

In a 1966 conversation with Barrie Sturt-Penrose for The Arts Review, L.S. Lowry, a 79-year-old British artist, revealed his weariness with his artistic journey, stating he wished he had stepped back from his career in 1948. He characterized himself as 'a rather lazy man,' who enrolled in art school to escape traditional employment. After relocating to 117 Station Road, Pendlebury in 1909, he developed a fascination with industrial scenes, focusing solely on these works from 1920 onward. Lowry criticized modern art institutions and felt that genuine recognition arrived too late, leading to his sense of isolation. He brushed off severe critiques from sources like Apollo and The Times, asserting, 'Let people have their opinions.' Living with his parents for nearly forty years, he expressed skepticism about the art market, lamenting, 'there's no money in painting.'