Image: James Lynch, Ted’s Greenhouse – Summer (detail) / banner Howard Phipps – Winkelbury Hillford (detail)
This autumn sees the opening of a unique exhibition celebrating seasonal change as portrayed by British artists over the last 100 years. The seasonal cycle has long been a source of inspiration for artists, writers and musicians but in recent times our mainly urban and digitally-focused society has become increasingly remote from the natural rhythms of the year. At a time when nature is threatened by climate change, pollution, development and declining fertility this exhibition serves as a timely reminder of the joys and critical importance of nature’s cycle. It will also resonate with those for whom lockdown provided an unexpected opportunity to connect once again with the onset of spring.
Drawn from private and public collections including Tate, British Council and the UK Government Art Collection the exhibition explores changes in the landscape, plants that leaf, flower and fruit at particular times, wildlife that is prominent in different seasons, customs and folklore, the farming calendar, weather and gardens. It also touches on the way changes in farming practices, urban development and climate change are affecting how we experience seasonality today.
Artists featured include John Nash, Eric Ravilious, Clare Leighton, Gertrude Hermes, Graham Sutherland, Alan Reynolds, Laura Knight, Duncan Grant, Charles Tunnicliffe, John Minton, Kurt Jackson, Keith Grant, Carry Akroyd, Annie Ovenden and James Lynch.
The exhibition is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue written by curators Steve Marshall and Gill Clarke, published by Sansom & Company. This beautiful catalogue with its stunning images and thoughtful prose makes a great Christmas present! Available to post – catalogue is £20 plus £5 postage in UK.
