The BBC RadioTheatre 2001 by Stephen B Whatley
BBC Radio Theatre, one of two interiors within the BBC, commissioned by the late Justin Phillips,the curator, in 2000; and painted in January 2001, on location inside the theatre, which is housed in the lower part of Broadcasting House, Portland Place , London - the Headquarters of the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation); opened in 1932. This is one of 5 paintings by Stephen B Whatley that The BBC owns.
The BBC Radio Theatre broadcasts, primarily for BBC Radio 4, plays , quiz shows and musical comedies; all recorded in front of a public audience.
" I was so humbly honoured to know Justin Phillips, who first contacted me regarding acquistion of my painting of BBC Television Centre for The BBC Heritage collection. Justin Phillips was a radio journalist for 20 years, worked at the BBC World Service, was Editor of the World Tonight programme and a writer - as a committed Christian, exploring the role of Christianity in the media. He was a deeply sensitive man with a visionary perception and was excited about my work; arranging for me to receive further commissions at the BBC.
In October 2000, he gave me a full tour of Broadcasting House - through the 'rabbit warren' of archival collections , studios & offices which was fascinating. His early passing at just 50 years of age, just after Christmas 2000, was a tragic loss to the BBC; but no more so than for his wife Gill & daughters, who commissioned a painting of his childhood home and beautiful bluebell-filled garden in Ealing, West London, in his memory - which was deeply moving to paint. " ~Stephen B Whatley
The BBC Radio Theatre. 2001 by Stephen B Whatley
Oil on canvas, 30 x 40in/76 x 102cm
Collection of BBC Heritage
The BBC RadioTheatre 2001 by Stephen B Whatley
BBC Radio Theatre, one of two interiors within the BBC, commissioned by the late Justin Phillips,the curator, in 2000; and painted in January 2001, on location inside the theatre, which is housed in the lower part of Broadcasting House, Portland Place , London - the Headquarters of the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation); opened in 1932. This is one of 5 paintings by Stephen B Whatley that The BBC owns.
The BBC Radio Theatre broadcasts, primarily for BBC Radio 4, plays , quiz shows and musical comedies; all recorded in front of a public audience.
" I was so humbly honoured to know Justin Phillips, who first contacted me regarding acquistion of my painting of BBC Television Centre for The BBC Heritage collection. Justin Phillips was a radio journalist for 20 years, worked at the BBC World Service, was Editor of the World Tonight programme and a writer - as a committed Christian, exploring the role of Christianity in the media. He was a deeply sensitive man with a visionary perception and was excited about my work; arranging for me to receive further commissions at the BBC.
In October 2000, he gave me a full tour of Broadcasting House - through the 'rabbit warren' of archival collections , studios & offices which was fascinating. His early passing at just 50 years of age, just after Christmas 2000, was a tragic loss to the BBC; but no more so than for his wife Gill & daughters, who commissioned a painting of his childhood home and beautiful bluebell-filled garden in Ealing, West London, in his memory - which was deeply moving to paint. " ~Stephen B Whatley
The BBC Radio Theatre. 2001 by Stephen B Whatley
Oil on canvas, 30 x 40in/76 x 102cm
Collection of BBC Heritage