Kettles Yard. A Masterpiece of Curatorship.

Sarah Burles studied History of Art at Cambridge University and has a Master’s degree from University College London. As the founder of Cambridge Arts Tours, she is passionate about Kettles Yard which has been described as ‘one of the country’s most intimate and spell-binding museums. The collection of one man, Jim Ede, is homely yet life-changing. His collection includes works by Ben and Winifred Nicholson, Christopher Wood, Alfred Wallis and Henri Gaudier-Brzeska along side pieces of furniture, ceramics and natural objects. This lecture will discuss the life of Jim Ede, his collecting, his vision for Kettle’s Yard and its enduring legacy. 

Vivienne Lawes is an art historian, curator, author and journalist who teaches at several Higher Education institutions including Sotheby’s Institute of Art. The mass migration of the French Protestant Huguenots across Europe in the 16th and 17th Centuries, brought an estimated 50,000 migrants settling into Britain. Their work impacted the arts, military and finance sectors of the countries into which they fled. This lecture focuses on three areas in particular: the baroque style of Versailles that arrived in London via the Huguenot designer, Daniel Margot; the growth of the silk weaving industry and the ceramicists and silversmiths who ushered the French Rococco style into Britain. The evening contextualises how their work changed our material culture and became absorbed into British national identity. 

Alongside his street art, Banksy has been creating works for sale for more than 20 years. This British contemporary artist might seem like a graffiti artist living for a laugh and a headline, but the artworld has caught up with his popular appeal, and Banksy has properly earned his place in art history. Truly independent, highly socially involved, and with a dry British wit, this lecture introduces the artist and his work. Mariska Beekenkamp-Wladimiroff has an MA in the History of Art from the Courtauld Institute and has developed and delivered lectures, museum programmes, cultural tours, educational travel, online courses, and bespoke events for audiences across Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. 

London’s sumptuous Victorian and Edwardian department stores changed the capital – and changed its women. Starting on Oxford Street’s ‘golden mile’, we’ll set off on a cultural tour of the capital’s big stores – from snooty Marshall & Snelgrove, to Pontings ‘House of Value’; from Gamages' legendary toy department, to the live flamingos atop Derry & Toms; from Bodgers of Ilford, to Bon Marché of Brixton. How did it feel to enter a great store in the lavish Edwardian era? What was it like to serve? From shoppers to shop girls, publicity stunts to wow-factor window dressing, this is a fascinating slice of social history with wonderful period images. Tessa Boase is a freelance journalist, author, lecturer and campaigner with a particular interest in uncovering the stories of invisible women from the 19th and early 20th-centuries – revealing how they drove industry, propped up society and influenced politics. 

 Ashley Gray is a leading specialist and curator in the key art discipline of Modern Textiles and their history. He is a regular vetter at international fine art fairs and, as a curator and archivist, he works with institutions and foundations on conservation and exhibition projects. The history of Britain is intricately woven with the history of textiles. Following World War II there was a desire for change, colour and inspiration in the home. This energy and innovation was led by revolutionary female textile designers from the 1950s to the 1970s. This lecture celebrates their vision, influences and determination that brought modern and contemporary art into the home through their designs and democratised modern art. 

Lucia Gahlin will explore images of gardens in Ancient Egyptian art to discover the gardens associated with ancient Egyptian palaces, élite houses, temples, and tombs. We will consider what a garden meant to the ancient Egyptians and its significance within their belief system, particularly concerning the Afterlife. Illustrations for this lecture will include a vivid array of representations of ancient gardens. "I wish that each day I may walk unceasingly on the banks of my pool … that I may refresh myself in the shade of my sycamore tree” (Ancient Egyptian tomb inscription, c1450 BC). Lucia is an Egyptologist who has worked on excavations in Egypt, but these days mostly lectures. Former Honorary Research Associate at University College London’s Institute of Archaeology, she lectures in Egyptology at several UK universities. 

Dr Sally Hoban has lectured extensively on art, design and antiques throughout the UK and at The University of Birmingham. She has broadcast on BBC Antiques Roadshow, BBC Two, BBC Four and BBC Radio 4 and her publications include the book Miller’s Collecting Modern Design. Many people are familiar with the national designers of the 19th century Arts and Crafts Movement such as William Morris and Charles Ashbee, but the Midlands made a huge contribution to the movement as well. Designers at The Bromsgrove Guild of Handicrafts for example produced the exquisite wrought iron gates for Buckingham Palace. This lecture sets the work of these Midlands designers in the context of the national Arts and Crafts Movement using examples of jewellery made by Arthur and Georgina Gaskin, stained glass by Florence Camm, ceramics from the Ruskin Pottery and more. It also reveals the best locations in the region to see examples of local Arts and Crafts Movement design.  

Mary Alexander graduated with a BA Hons in History & History of Art (University College London) and later an MA (with Distinction) in History of Art (University College London). She has lectured extensively over a long career and combined academic work with the world of design consultancy. She will explore Sargent’s ability to capture a sense of place and his intimately personal and often unusual interpretations: whether it be luscious pomegranates in a Spanish orchard, brilliant hues of poppies in the Cotswolds, silver light on glistening fish in Norway or the intense sunlight and heat of Morocco and the desert. His most daring journey of all, took place in 1918 aged 62, as a war artist travelling to the war-torn trenches in France. Many of the works shown will include examples from private collections around the world and correspondence and photographs from friends, family and travelling companions. 

2024 - 2028 marks one hundred years since Winnie-the-Pooh was introduced to children of all ages in the four iconic books created by A A Milne and E H Shepard. First seen in ‘When We Were Very Young’ (1924), Winnie-the-Pooh and the characters of the Hundred Acre Wood had their own adventures in ‘Winnie-The-Pooh’ (1926), ‘Now We Are Six’ (1927) and ‘The House at Pooh Corner’ (1928). This lecture tells the story of how these much-loved books were created by the genius of Milne and Shepard’s groundbreaking collaboration and why they remain embedded in our national identity. James Campbell has been a Trustee of the E H Shepard Estate since 2010, and was involved in the Victoria and Albert Museum 2017 Exhibition marking the 90th birthday of Winnie-the-Pooh. His books Shepard’s War and The Art of Winnie-the-Pooh were published in 2015 and 2017 respectively.