The Arts Society Salisbury Lecture
- £8.00
- 13 Oct 26
- St Francis' Church, Beatrice Road, Salisbury
- 13:50 - 15:00
A lecture by The Arts Society accredited lecturer James Russell entitled Art of the Chalk Landscape
Visitors are welcome, whether alone or as the guest of a member. There is a charge of £8 per lecture, which is waived should you decide there and then to become a member. Please see our website through the MORE DETAILS button to the right for information on our other activities and membership.
Between the world wars a group of British artists explored the downland of southern England, finding in the ancient landscapes of Sussex and Wessex inspiration for modern paintings. Eric Ravilious and fellow artists Peggy Angus and Tirzah Garwood, William Nicholson, and John and Paul Nash led the way, choosing not only to work but in some cases also to live among the chalk hills.
It was not only artists who were fascinated by the chalk hills. Between the wars around forty Iron Age hillforts were excavated by archaeologists as the nation was gripped by a mania for prehistory, a passion for the past fuelled by modern innovations. On the one hand aerial photography brought downland sites to life in a new way. On the other, motor cars and buses enabled people to explore the hills, guidebook in hand, box brownie at the ready.
Lecturer Biography:
Having studied History at Pembroke College, Cambridge, James Russell enjoyed a lengthy stint selling contemporary paintings and sculpture in Santa Fe, New Mexico, an experience that inspired him to begin writing and lecturing on 20th century art. Of his dozen or so books, one was a Sunday Times book of the year, while his writing has been described by critics as 'insightful', 'informative' and 'enjoyably readable'. James has curated major exhibitions at Dulwich Picture Gallery and for museums around the country. He bases his lectures on wide-ranging original research into the subjects that fascinate him.
Image: The Westbury Horse (watercolour) by Eric Ravilious 1939 (out of copyright)