Picture of the Week.
Sir Peppersford Trousers
There's quite a back story to this. A few years ago we ran a pop up store in Auckland for two or three weeks - funnily enough right next door to the current Lonely Dog Gallery! We were going over the top preparing the space, painting, all kinds of props. It was looking amazing. The invitations were also amazing. We had prepared them as if coming from the Baron of Beaconsfield. At the last minute we realised that we had no actual Baron! The spell would be broken when people arrived and the Baron was not there to greet them! It would all come crashing down to normality in a great rush.Stu, the co-author of the Lonely Dog novel, came up with a last minute piece of inspiration. He invented the character of Sir Peppersford Trousers, the Baron's right hand man and general factotum. He suggested Sir Peppersford would be one of those sort of slightly off-centre, detached, unpredictable ancient characters that we all know so well. Lurking in the shadows, only to burst forth semi-appropriately with left of centre out of context statements, and then disappear again. Always retaining the gift of surprise and a complete air of mystery. And all the while taking themselves far too seriously!
To cap it all off - Stu offered to appear, in full costume, at the opening, as Sir Pepperford Trousers, and to make apology for the Baron's absence! Offer accepted!
Stu duly showed up, resplendent in full costume with epaulettes, towering hat and mad persona. He berated and harangued the assembled crowd - to great delight. Stu, in costume, is a fearsome thing! Some attendees still speak of Sir Peppersford in hushed tones.
A year or so later as the character of Sir Peppersford became embedded in the world of Lonely Dog, Ivan decided to immortalise him in oils. Ivan chose to tone down the fake militaristic posture, I think because he felt that the authorities might pry into the reality (or otherwise) of his medals, and instead chose to portray him in another of his adopted personas - that of superior gamekeeper and bridge player. The picture captures Sir Peppersford creating his very best "I'm superior to you" pose, adorned with what he calls his "Nod to the wee Scots" outfit. To say that he knew what a Gillie was would be stretching it, but as we now know, details have never bothered Sir Peppersford!
I think the crowning irony, and one that no doubt has Sir Peppersford absolutely crowing, is that his portrait - in this particular persona - is now hanging in all sorts of fancy people's houses just like a real Sir would be. (Did I say that about his knighthood not being real?)
Find Limited Edition Giclee of Sir Peppersford Trousers here ...
http://www.lonelydog.com/sir-peppersford-trousers.html
Or contact the gallery on +64 9 550 7170
aucklandgallery@lonelydog.com
