Exhibition

Venue:

Gallery 21, Snape Maltings, Snape, IP17 1SP

Tickets:

Free, artworks for sale

Open daily: 10am – 5pm (Sunday 4.30pm)

Maggi Hambling: Fireworks

Saturday 24 October – Thursday 24 December

A first chance to see this new body of work by trailblazing and controversial British artist Maggi Hambling – the climax of a year celebrating her 80th birthday.

“When I was 7, the 1953 Coronation was celebrated at Aldeburgh by fireworks over the sea. Those resounding explosions, I realise now, gave rise, much later, to the explosion in Scallop, my sculpture for Benjamin Britten on Aldeburgh Beach. These paintings are from memory of those fireworks.”
– Maggi Hambling

Ely Cathedral

9th May to 29th June 

Threads through the Bible is an astonishing display of embroidered panels inspired by three parts of the Bible. Textile artist Jacqui Parkinson retells the stories in a vibrant combination of silks, paint, metallic leathers and gold leaf - with 25 million stitches! 

Jacqui has a national reputation for spectacular, large scale work. This is one of the largest textile art projects, ever. The 44 panels are nearly 3m high with extraordinary variety. Some panels are startling and dramatic, others complex and dazzling. 

Ten years' dedication: three great sequences 

Jacqui has been working for ten years to create three great sequences. Two have toured many cathedrals and been seen by over a million visitors. Now for the first time they are joined with 'Threads through the Cross' to complete this extraordinary and inspiring project in 2025. 

'Such artistry and vision. What a privilege to be able to stand and stare!' 

Threads through Creation -  astonishing colours and patterns. Twelve huge panels bring wonderful imagination to the creation story in the first pages of the Bible, from the book of Genesis. 

Threads through the Cross - dramatic and moving. Eighteen huge panels retell moments from the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. 

Threads through Revelation - startling and spectacular. Fourteen huge panels re-imagine the strange visions in Bible's last book. 

As featured in Spring Art Society Magazine ‘Andy Warhol:Portrait of America’ exhibition at MK Gallery, Milton Keynes did not disappoint.

15th March - 29th June. See mkgallery.org. Under 21s Free. Art Fundmembers 50% discount. Parking outside gallery and also John Lewis carpark close by,

It was wonderful to view some of his iconic works in such spacious surroundings.  Also look out for his early drawings, painted silkscreens and photographic series. His vibrant wallpaper of cows painted in yellow andpink are a surprising backdrop in one gallery bringing memories of the 70s to the fore.

Photos in ‘gallery’.

Cindy Greenway (committee member)

The spectacular sculptures and paintings of Michelangelo seem so familiar to us, but what do we really know about this Renaissance giant? Michelangelo’s genius is evident in everything he touched. Beautiful and diverse works such as the towering statue of David, the moving Pietà in the Papal Basilica of St. Peter and his tour-de-force, the Sistine Chapel ceiling, still leave us breathless today.

Spanning his 88 years, Michelangelo: Love and Death takes a cinematic journey through the print and drawing rooms of Europe through the great chapels and museums of Florence, Rome and the Vatican to seek out a deeper understanding of this legendary figure’s tempestuous life, his relationship with his contemporaries and his incrediblelegacy.

Through expert commentary, stunning visuals and Michelangelo’s own words, this filmtakes a fresh look at a master artist whose life and genius are celebrated in every markhe made. Returning to cinemas in 2025 to celebrate the 550th anniversary of thisiconic artist’s birth.

“…feast your eyes – and your soul – on Michelangelo: Love and Death”   Mature Times

“Magnificent”  Oxford Times

Directed by David Bickerstaff and presented by Exhibition on Screen.

THE TIMES Wednesday May 7th, 2025.

'Gazing at art helps you see the big picture’

by Rhys Blakely  Science Corespondent.

‘Researchers at Cambridge have a suggestion: stop scrolling and gaze at something beautiful instead.

A study has suggested that taking time to contemplate aesthetically pleasing art can boost abstract thinking and free us from everyday anxieties.  More specifically, it appears to induce what is known as psychological distancing, a kind of stepping-back from your own thoughts, allowing for greater clarity and a healthier prospective.’

The article went onto to say that a study took place at Kettles Yard where TAS Waveney Valley visited 2nd July, 2024.  It involved 187 visitors taking part in a ‘living laboratory’.  

To know more Google ‘Gazing at art helps see the big picture’.

Fisher Spotlight The newsletter of the Bungay Arts & Theatre Society

Nigel Lubbock, Trustee and the Fisher art auction lead writes: Following the initiative of the Waveney Valley Arts Society (WVAS) the Fisher Theatre hosted an auction on 16th March of over 70 works of art by over 30 well known East Anglian artists, including Maggi Hambling, Stuart Pearson Wright and Ivy Smith. The auction was preceded by an artists evening reception in the Fisher Gallery where members of the Theatre and WVAS plus volunteers and supporters were able to admire the stunning diversity of the beautifully displayed art and engage with many artists who attended. To achieve the WVAS's twin objectives of supporting local artists and raising funds for the Fisher, artists generously donated some or all the proceeds of sale to the Fisher, The auction was very well attended with keen bidding for works ranging from £50 to £5000 The huge excitement and great anticipation of bidders and spectators alike showed the Fisher at its best with proceedings expertly handled by Ed Taxill-Webber, a professional auctioneer with TW Gaze, who were very supportive throughout. The result was that the event was a great success raising over £11000 for the Fisher and over £4200 for the contributing artists. Special thanks are owed to Cindy Greenway, chair of WVAS. and her two colleagues Zoe Sprake and Pat Theodorou for all their hard work and perseverance over many months to bring the auction to fruition. Equally important have been the many compliments and warm wishes expressed by the artists, their admirers and visitors to the event about the wonderfully diverse work undertaken at the Fisher and its profound importance not only as a heritage gem but as a community hub for the arts learning , entertainment and companionship it offers.

The area meeting is held in part of the Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds. As many societies as possible in East Anglia send a representative along to discuss any issues their branch may have. Meet other members and swop ideas.

This year we started with a talk from the new CEO of the Arts Society Ian Arnold. Ian has specific expertise in marketing, and has devised detailed marketing plans.

The Arts Society went through a lot of changes last year but it seems from what Ian said they are moving forward in a positive way. They are keen to help branches gain more members and hoping to tie up with other business, travel companies to offer members more.

After lunch we split into groups and discussed any issues that branches may have.

It made me realise that having the Fisher Theatre as our venue makes our meetings extremely easy. One branch meets in a school hall where they have to lay out the chairs, set up tech, bring cups and  saucers for coffee, and glasses for wine as they meet in the evenings.  Another cooked lunch for all its committee members before the monthly meeting.

Sally Gagen

Our members and lecturers have always appreciated The Fisher Theatre as a very special venue to hold our monthly lectures.  The theatre runs not only on the success of a variety of programmes but also on donations and volunteers. 

Pat Theodorou, member of The Arts Society Waveney Valley and professional artist, suggested to me that an art auction may help to raise funds.  Once permission was granted we formed a small committee with a variety of skills and set about contacting and speaking to artists.  Initially it was a slow process but our efforts were eventually rewarded by a variety of East Anglian artists making one or two contributions.  These included the internationally acclaimed Maggi Hambling CBE, Patron of The Arts Society WV, BP Portrait Prize winner Stuart Pearson Wright and Ivy Smith.  Everyone was struck by the variety of works which were expertly hung by Trustee Nicholas Usherwood.    

The success of this venture was made possible by all those members who encouraged artists to make donations and those of you who kindly offered to supervise the gallery during the five days of viewings.  Zoe Sprake’s auction administration skills became an asset together with Trustee Peter Holmes who designed the website.  Cathy Gill was also instrumental in her liaison and support abilities.  Lastly, where would we have been without Nigel Lubbock?  A trustee who brought everything together at amazing speed, making sure that all art works were delivered and the artists paid?  

Although the main goal was to achieve funds for the Fisher, as we went forward we found so many like minded talented friends who I am sure will continue to support our society and The Fisher..