"Quintessentially English" – Art exhibition will raise funds for DBF

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

Wendy (aka, sometimes unintentionally, Admin!), is participating in an art exhibition called “Quintessentially English” at the Angel Inn, Upton Scudamore, near Warminster. Press release below:

“QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH”

"Beach Hut with Steps"

Exhibition runs from 17^th May – 17^th August

Private View 16^th May

Part of the Wylye Valley Art Trail

Close your eyes and think of England…What do you see? What images seem to encapsulate what we think of as “England”? What is it that makes the English so “english”?

Of course, there are many facets to the character of both country and people. Both have been and continue to be affected by history, current events and global change but still there seems to be a certain quirkiness, certain often intangible but strangely unmistakeable traits that continue to identify both. There are things that many of us still value, traditions that we uphold often in the face of logic and sometimes even ridicule because, somehow, they matter to us; they help to make us who we are and “proud to be British”.

In an art Exhibition entitled “Quintessentially English” to be held at The Angel Inn, Upton Scudamore, from the 16^th May as part of the Wylye Valley Arts Trail, 6 local artists are hoping to capture this elusive quality in a variety of iconic images.

Jane Eaton has taken inspiration from the quote “an Englishman’s best friend is his dog” and favourite characters from childhood, to produce quirky and playful images. Lindsay Keir’s rich, mixed-media work sometimes enhanced with gold leaf, predominantly concentrates on chickens and hares, 2 of the nation’s favourite animals. Rode artist, Wendy McCleave, explores our passion with beach huts and sheds of all descriptions. Jenny Arthy embraces the challenge of capturing the moving subject creating some beautiful images of the horse and the Ballet. Michael Horder, known for sympathetic portraits of pampered pets, will be exhibiting some beautiful, evocative landscapes invoking the countryside beloved of Betjeman and Jane Robinson invites you to slow down and reflect on the beauty to be found in the most humble subjects: a single bloom from the herbaceous border or home grown produce from a lovingly tended allotment.

Whatever your idea of what constitutes “Quintessentially English”, you’re sure to find something to appeal and plenty of food for thought in this exhibition. Come to the Angel and remind yourself why Cecil Rhodes said: “to have been born English is to have first prize in the lottery of life”.

Art at the Angel, The Angel Inn, Upton Scudamore, Warminster,

Wiltshire, BA12 0AG.

Tel.: 01985 213225

Coffee, tea, lunch and dinner available

A proportion of the proceeds will go to The Douglas Bader Foundation, a charity set up following the death of Sir Douglas 25 years ago to benefit amputees and other disabled.

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I do hope to see some of you at the exhibition. How civilised to be able to look round an exhibition with refreshments on hand. Even if you don’t enjoy the art, you’ll be sure to enjoy the pub as The Angel is renowned for its excellent food!

I shall in future be donating a percentage of all the work I sell to the charity. If anyone can’t make the exhibition but is interested to see other work, please contact me: wendy@limblessinformationcentre.com