Lowry Revisited

Poet Michael Symmons Roberts explores the life of the painter of ‘matchstick people’, LS Lowry. As a child, Lowry’s images decorated Michael’s childhood home - a lasting inspiration.

But few artists have divided opinion as strongly as Laurence Stephen Lowry. He’s adored by millions of the general public, but many among the art world have been much more critical, accusing him of amateurism and of being extremely limited in the scope of his artistic ambition.

Michael sets out to explore how possible it is to get a fresh perspective on Lowry. Along the way, he'll meet people who knew the artist well, and those who worked alongside him in documenting the North West landscape.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2013.

• Producer: Geoff Bird
• A Sparklab Production for BBC Radio 4

Publicity contact: Radio 4 Publicity