From obscure beginnings Ben Hartley (1933-1996) has developed a cult following and includes Alan Bennett amongst his fans. He recorded his quirky and humorous observations in over 300 notebooks, and these sketches later formed the basis of many of his paintings. His idiosyncratic work captures feelings of the innocence of childhood experience, and a love of the countryside, its people and ways of life.

With the charm of Beryl Cook and the quirkiness of Stanley Spencer, Ben's childlike drawings of everyday country life are accompanied by wry and witty comments. From the quirky "Prickly Lincolnshire Spire" to the eccentric turkeys in "Saturday Visitors", Pigs Must Eat on Sundays gives an intimate insight into the world of this extraordinary artist.

Illustrated by: Ben Hartley