“I have long been an admirer of Michael Smither’s paintings and of his ‘Family Series’ in particular. This series, from which ‘Thomas and Joseph with Red Chair and Piano’ comes, is a collection of paintings showing Smither’s young children in the early 1970s. The faces of the children often border on looking grotesque, but are always full of the character present when young children are teasing their father, playing games or fighting with each other for a favourite toy. Smither’s choice of colours is always inspiring and the red floral chair, yellow jersey, blue shirt and black piano are a combination that I enjoy. This ‘Family Series’ was about people and, in particular, about a young family growing up. I chose this painting because it is a grand example of Michael Smither at his emotive best.”
Jim Norris, a retired farmer and company manager, for the March 2020 instalment of the My Choice exhibition series.