How would you define ‘Britishness’ in 2023? That’s a question artist Francis Salvesen put to himself. The result is his solo exhibition entitled ‘The Joys of Being British’ which will be held 13-18 March 2023 at London’s Mall Galleries.

The exhibition will showcase over 100 of Francis’s paintings, all within the theme of British identity.

Francis says:

“When defining ‘Britishness’, perhaps it is easier to say what it is not: it is not French, German, Italian, Norwegian or Indian. It is just part of being human. It is what is peculiar to Brits.

“Scots (of which I am one) would correctly add that we have a separate identity that is not English, but IS British. And Wales would add that it is not a separate ‘nation’ as such, but a principality.

“‘Britishness’ is certainly identifiable in the traditions and customs of the UK, many hundreds of which survive as local or national celebrations. There may well be similar celebrations in other countries, but we do things in a peculiarly British way, so the nuances of ‘how’ we celebrate and ‘what’ we celebrate are conjoined.”
Francis’ paintings include expressions of the love of the countryside and British architectural heritage. They include high-class events like The State Opening of Parliament with local customs such as cheese-rolling in Gloucestershire.

Many of the traditions have never been painted before and exist locally by dint of being small and less-well known. There is Up Helly Aa, where a viking ship is built and then burnt at Hogmanay on the Isle of Lewis — a peculiarly Viking British festival. There is a parade of men in fancy dress and deer antlers that mark the local freedoms and serfdom of Abbots Bromley Horn Dance. “Dressing-up and celebrating are certainly an important part of our culture,” says Francis, “and we enjoy ourselves with high spirits, eccentricity and a sense of occasion.”

Military victories give rise to the ‘Freedom of the City’ rights for soldiers to march, and Orangemen and Catholic schoolboys march across Great Britain, not just in Northern Ireland.

There are traditions depicted in the paintings that stem from childhood, like games of conkers, which also illustrate the British sense of fair play.

As the Royal Family is central to life in modern and historical Britain, it seems fitting that the new portrait of the Princess of Wales will be unveiled at the exhibition.

Boris Johnson even makes an appearance in the exhibition, who is painted alongside Churchill.

Francis adds: “Our British sense of humour is more difficult to capture on canvas, given the scope of humour from practical jokes to verbal dexterity and puns.” Francis’s work shows us a range of eccentric traditions that are as humorous as sporting, and the naughty indulgence of a little girl and boy looking up a piper’s kilt and finding this immensely funny.