Film celebrates amazing story of decorative artist David Parr

A NEW short film celebrating a working-class Victorian decorative artist from Cambridge is to be shown in his home city.

- By MARTIN NEAL

The Man Who Painted His House is a new short film, researched and produced by Dr Victoria Mills and directed by Lily Ford.

Working with David Parr House - a museum in Gwydir Street dedicated to his life - the film brings to life the extraordinary story of David Parr. He was apprenticed to FR Leach & Sons, a well-known decorating firm in the Victorian Arts and Crafts movement who worked for leading designers, including William Morris. Parr's life was shaped through his work.

He was highly skilled in wall painting and decoration, but also in carpentry and design. In 1886, Parr saved enough money to buy his own house for himself and his family.

Over the next 40 years, in his spare time, he meticulously decorated his modest terraced house in Cambridge, painting intricately patterned Arts and Crafts schemes and restructuring his home to better suit his family.