Simon Gee, a much-loved painter and lecturer who taught at Coventry Technical College for over 30 years, died in March 2025. A posthumous exhibition of his portraits, which he insisted on showing in pubs rather than galleries, is being held at Twisted Barrel Brewery in Coventry for one month. The show raises money for Myton Hospices and aims to reunite some of his subjects with their portraits. Gee was known for painting strangers he met in pubs and workmen in hi-vis jackets, and for his gregarious, kind personality.
This story matters because it highlights an alternative, community-driven model for exhibiting art outside traditional gallery spaces, emphasizing the social and relational aspects of portraiture. Gee's refusal to exhibit in conventional art galleries and his preference for pubs underscores a broader conversation about accessibility and the democratization of art viewing. The exhibition also serves as a memorial and a fundraiser, demonstrating how art can bring people together to celebrate a life and support charitable causes.