TRIBUTES have been paid to a Ramsbottom artist who died recently.

David Swithenbank was the president of Bury Art Society at the time of his death on Friday, March 2, aged 92.

During his lifetime, he was able to travel the world, and his work was inspired by journeys through Norway and India, among other places.

Bury Art Museum recently held an exhibition showcasing Mr Swithenbank’s life’s work, depicting the wildlife, cultures, landscapes and themes of music, song and dance he had encountered on his travels.

Born in 1926, he was raised in Holcombe Village, and educated at Bury Grammar School and Bury Art School before travelling to India to undertake national service from 1945 to 1947. The country and especially its birds and architecture proved to be a lifelong inspiration.

He then studied painting at the Manchester Regional College of Art before embarking on a trip around Europe, during which he first visited Norway, a country he developed a particular affinity with.

He returned to Holcombe and married his wife June in 1960. They remained together until her death in 2014. Alongside his own artistic endeavours, Mr Swithenbank earned a living teaching others at a number of local schools, and eventually became the head of art at Tottington High School. For many years, he lived in the house he grew up in in Dawes Bank, Holcombe, and eventually succeeded LS Lowry as the president of Bury Art Society.

A spokesman for Bury Art Museum said: “We are extremely saddened to hear that David Swithenbank has passed away.

“The art gallery worked closely with David who was a wonderful person, a renowned artist and who will be greatly missed. David made an overwhelming contribution to education and culture in Bury over seven decades.”

Mr Swithenbank leaves behind his son, Arne, who says his father ‘led a very full life and left behind a dedicated body of work’. Prior to his death, he was working on a book on his time in India. His funeral will take place this Friday.