artist in Focus Alfred Wallis: ships and boats

7 April-8 July 2012

house | gallery | music | events

University of Cambridge

Admission free

Visit one of the UK’s most remarkable collections of 20th century art

The hoardings on Castle Street have now gone up and the building of a new Education Centre for Kettle’s Yard has begun.

During this major building work we will have to close some parts of the building – there is a reduced gallery space and the ‘extension’ area of the house is closed. However, in the gallery, visitors can enjoy a display of the wonderful paintings by the celebrated Cornish mariner turned artist Alfred Wallis. One of the most pleasurable tasks I have had as new Director here has been discovering more about our extensive collection of paintings by Alfred Wallis, reading his letters to Jim Ede and selecting works for this display. I hope you enjoy it.

As always, the programme is also busy with concerts, workshops for all ages, talks and events including a special late night opening for Museums at Night on Friday 18 May. We have also appointed four Associate Artists all with growing international reputations, who will be working with us over the next year – Matei Bejenaru, Matthew Darbyshire, Lorna Macintyre and Jeremy Millar. Please read more about their work, ideas and projects for Kettle’s Yard on the website.

While the building programme takes place we will try and keep everyone as up to date as possible – the latest information about what’s on and what’s open can be found at www.kettlesyard.co.uk/news or call us on 01223 748100. In May, we launch our new blog site: www.kettlesyardonline.co.uk with the latest news about the building work, more from the Associate Artists, photos of projects we’re involved with, a blog from me and what I’m up to and lots more. We welcome your feedback and comment so please take a look and get involved.

Andrew Nairne, Director

Welcome to Kettle’s Yard

scan me

Kettle’s Yard the University of Cambridge’s modern and contemporary art gallery

Kettle’s Yard is a beautiful house that contains a remarkable collection of

modern art. In the house you can find paintings and sculptures by some of

the great names of early 20th century art including Brancusi, Miró, Henry

Moore, Ben and Winifred Nicholson, Barbara Hepworth, Henri Gaudier-

Brzeska and Christopher Wood. Works of art are interspersed with natural

objects and the house remains largely as it was when its pioneering founder,

Jim Ede, lived here. The house was donated to the University of Cambridge in

1966. As in Jim’s time, in the afternoons visitors are invited to ring on the bell

and come and explore this fascinating and inspiring house and collection.

The ‘extension’ area of the house is now closed while we undertake major

building work.

TalksFree, just turn up. Thursday lunchtime talks about the Alfred Wallis display start at 1.10pm and usually last 30 mins.

26 April Introduction Andrew Nairne, Director

10 MayIntroductionLizzie Fisher, Curator of Exhibitions

24 MayIntroduction Andrew Nairne, Director

14 JuneSarah Stannage, Head of Heritage, Vivacity, Peterborough 21 JuneRuth Scurr, Historian, University of Cambridge

28 JuneHarriet Loffler, Curator of Contemporary Art, Norwich Castle Museum

Evening Lecture Tuesday 12 June, 6.30pmAlfred WAllIs an Illustrated lecture by Robert Jones, Wallis expert and author of Alfred Wallis: Artist & Mariner. £5 (£3 concessions and Friends of Kettle’s Yard)

ARTiST iN FoCUSAlfred Wallis: ships and boats

Alfred Wallis (1855-1942) is one of the most original and inspiring British artists of the 20th Century. Living in St.ives, Cornwall and with no training, Wallis took up painting late in life ‘for company‘ after the death of his wife. Previously, he had worked as a mariner, crossing the Atlantic and later working smaller fishing boats. With only household oil paint in limited colours on found bits of card, Wallis made works that are, as he said himself, more experiences and events than paintings. ‘i do most what used To Be what we shall never see no more…’ he wrote to Jim Ede, creator of Kettle’s Yard, and one of his most ardent collectors.

on display are about forty paintings, from the reserve collection and the part of the house closed due to building work. They show what Wallis knew best: from brigantines and sailing boats to lug boats and motor vessels, often battling with an unpredictable sea. What shines out is Wallis’s exceptional natural talent.

7 April - 8 July

We are delighted to announce the appointment of four Kettle’s Yard Associate Artists. Each will be developing projects at Kettle’s Yard, off site and on line. There will be opportunities to meet them and find out more about their work throughout the next year. This will start with a changing display in the galleries from July to October and with special artists pages on our website.

MATEI BEJENARU (b. 1963 Suceava now based in Iasi, Romania) makes work inspired by his experience of living in post-communist Romania. His often poignant work has taken the form of a travel guide to the UK for illegal Romanian immigrants and a modernist interpretation of choir music.

MATTHEW DARBYSHIRE (b. 1977 Cambridge now based in Rochester, Kent) makes dynamic, often provocative installations that explore how designs found in the everyday world reflect social change. LORNA MACINTYRE (b. 1977 Glasgow, where she is based) uses a diverse range of materials and techniques in her poetic works, from crystals or marine coral to sun and moonlight. Her photogaphs, cyanotypes and installations have been described as giving concrete form to literary images.

JEREMY MILLAR (b. 1973 Coventry now based in Whitstable) is an artist and curator. He conceived ‘Every Day is a Good Day’ of work by John Cage which was shown at Kettle’s Yard in 2010. A new film by Millar will be shown at Museums at Night at Kettle’s Yard on 18 May.

KETTLE’S YARD ASSOCIATE ARTISTS2012-13

Matei BejenaruLorna Macintyre

EVENTSPlease note that we will not be running our regular programme of termly workshops and half-term activities during the Easter Holidays and from July – December 2012. This is due to building works onsite. The Education team are developing a new and exciting public programme that will launch in our new Education Wing in 2013 – watch this space and our website for details. We would like to thank the fantastic team of artists who deliver our workshops and courses for their inspiration, creativity and invaluable contribution to our programme.

Events must be booked in advance, unless stated otherwise. Book online at www.kettlesyard.co.uk or call 01223 748100.

All under 8s must be accompanied by an adult.

CREATIVE WRITINGFor adults and those aged 16+Term: 12, 26 May; 9, 23 June; 7, 21 July, 11.45am-1.45pmEnjoy the house and take inspiration for your writing. With writer Sophie Smiley. All levels of experience welcome.£48 (£36 conc.) per term.

TUESDAY STUDIOFor young people aged 11-14 Term: 15, 22, 29 May; 12, 19, 26 June, 4.30-6pmCreative art workshops that take inspiration from our exhibitions and permanent collection. With artist Lyndall Phelps.£42 (£32 conc.) per term.

CREATIVE CHAOSMonthly drop in art sessions for pre-school children and their carers. (no April), 17 May, 14 June, 10-11.30amJust come and have fun making whatever you want. Admission is first come, first served. £3 per child.

CAMBRIDGE CURIOSITY AND IMAGINATION FAMIlY WORkSHOpThe artists work in an open-ended way, so there is no defined or pre-determined outcome.Sunday 20 May, 2-4pmA creative workshop led by Helen Stratford and Caroline Wendling responding to the display, Alfred Wallis: Ships and Boats.£5 per adult, £2 per child.

SATURDAY DRAWINGfor adults and people aged 16+Term: 5, 19 May; 2, 16, 30 June; 14, 28 July, 11.30am-2pm Fortnightly drawing workshop. With artists David Kefford and Jane Waterhouse.£8 (£5 conc.) per session or £49 the term.

WEDNESDAY ClUBWeekly art club for 8-11s Term: 9, 16, 23, 30 May; 13, 20, 27 June; 4 July, 4.15-5.45pmExplore modern art and try out sculpture, drawing and painting. With artists Alex Hirtzel and Filipa Pereira-Stubbs.£56 (£42 conc.) per term.

June half-term

ALL AT SEAFor familiesTuesday 5 June, 10am-12pm or 1-3pmGet shipwrecked without getting your socks wet – join artist Bethany Mitchell to transform our education room into a Cornish coastal paradise inspired by Alfred Wallis’ paintings.Free but booking essential.

for kids and families

SWASHBUCKLERSFor 9-12 year oldsWednesday 6 June, 10am-12pmCommandeer an Alfred Wallis ship to plunder ideas for your own nautical creation. Join artist Lara Jones to create a mixed media sea-faring vessel. £10 per child (£7 conc.).

PLAIN SAILING THROUGH CHOPPY WATERSFor 5-8 year olds and their parents/carers Thursday 7 June, 10am-12pmWallis’ paintings overflow with seas in every kind of weather – join artist Janine Woods to explore our display ‘Ships and Boats’ and create your own Wallis’ inspired painting.£10 per child (£7 conc.).

above: Penzance harbour, n.d.cover: Brigantine sailing past green fields, n.d. (reserve collection)overleaf: Land, fish and motor vessel, 1932-37 all Alfred Wallis

MUSEUMS AT NIGHT Friday 18 May 6.30-8.30pm, freeWe invite you to a special late night opening at Kettle’s Yard. Come and enjoy sunset in the house, visit our beautiful display of works by Alfred Wallis in the gallery, browse the shop and enjoy a glass of wine. With the artworks removed from part of the house for safety while construction is underway, this will be a rare opportunity to see Leslie Martin and David Owers’ dramatic architecture laid bare. We will also be showing a new film by Associate Artist Jeremy Millar.

IN PrAISE of SHAdowS: INSTAllATIoNS ANd ArcHIvES An illustrated lecture by Edmund de Waal Wednesday 23 May, 6.30pmTo coincide with his University of Cambridge commission on the Sidgwick Site ‘A Local History’. Free but booking essential.The project was developed with the

assistance of Commissions East.

STUdY dAY: wAllIS ANd PoETrYSunday 10 June, 10.30am-4.30pmThe painter Alfred Wallis was a great inspiration to poets such as W.S. Graham, Jack Clemo and W.S. Merwin. During this one-day session we will look at poems informed by Wallis’s vision and explore strategies for writing our own poems. Led by poet Tamar Yoseloff.£35 (£27 conc.).

for adults IMPoSTErS: TAlKINGMondays 11, 18, 25 June; 2 July, 6-8pmThis course offers an informal introduction to key ideas in contemporary sculptural practice. Led by sculptor Desmond Brett, the sessions will be based in the house extension, stripped of the collection due to building works. Examples by international artists will be discussed alongside work-in-progress created during the ‘Imposters: Making’ course. Discussion-based; all levels of experience are welcome. £40 (£32 conc.)

IMPoSTErS: MAKINGSaturday 16 June, 3-5pm and Sundays, 17, 24 June; 1 July, 10am-4pmLed by sculptor Desmond Brett, this intensive, practice-driven course will interrogate key concerns within contemporary sculptural practice and respond to the ‘blank canvas’ of the architectural environment. For details about course content and the booking process, please visit our website, www.kettlesyard.co.uk/imposters or email sarah@kettlesyard.cam.ac.uk. Application deadline: 13 April, 5pm.Lunch and all materials are provided£250 (£200 for full-time students).

coNTAcT: TAcTIlE ArT worKSHoPFor blind or partially sighted people and their friends. Thursday 21 June, 10.30am-12.30pmJoin artist Filipa Pereira-Stubbs for an object-handling and practical art session, inspired by the permanent collection at Kettle’s Yard. In partnership with Cam Sight.Free of charge, to book a place please contact Becky Cawdry, 01223 420033 or email becky@camsight.org.uk.

Musicconcerts take place on the ground floor of Kettle’s Yard house unless otherwise stated.For detailed programmes and to book online visit www.kettlesyard.co.uk/music or call 01223 748100.

Friday Lunchtimes @ St Giles Church, Castle St.Due to building work the Friday concerts will be held over the road in st Giles church.

Passionate playing from students of the university of cambridge. concerts begin at 1.10pm (doors open 1pm), last about 40 minutes and are free. Donations welcome.

Concerts resume on 27 April and continue until 8 June. Please note: no concert on 25 May.

New Musicstephen Montague is the Kettle’s Yard/Faculty of Music New Music Associate 2010-12.These thrilling concerts are programmed and introduced by stephen.

Sunday coffee concertS coffee served from 11.30am and concerts begin at 12noon. £7 (£4 conc.)

6 May: Ensemble Bash, 4 percussionistsThree world premieres (the Efthymiou twins and Gabriel Prokofiev) are sandwiched between John cage’s 100th anniversary party piece and Montague’s chew chow chatterbox.

20 May: John Paul Jones: a Composer Portrait with Cambridge New Music Ensemble and interview with Stephen MontagueSOLD OUT

evening concertTuesday 24 April, 8pm: £10 (£6 conc.) The Smith Quartet: amplified string quartet/electronicsThe Nancarrow centennial celebration is muted by George crumb’s dark but unmissable Black Angels.

new MuSic Morning by local new music group

Sunday, 13 May, 12noon: free Degrees of synchrony: Tom Hall, Cheryl Frances-Hoad, Richard Hoadley, choreographer Jane Turner & guestsInvestigating boundaries of synchronisation through original dance, audio-visual inventions, music and performance.

Thursday Evening Chamber Concertsconcerts begin at 8pm, doors open 7.30pm.

26 April: sitkovestsky Trio and Friends3 May: Allan clayton, tenor James Baillieu, piano10 May: London Haydn Quartet17 May: Bartosz Woroch, violin Robert Thompson, piano24 May: Lara Melda, piano

Term subscription £47 (students £20)Programmes and online booking:www.kettlesyard.co.uk/chamber

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KETTLE'S YARD

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Kettle’s YardCastle Street, Cambridge CB3 0AQtelephone 01223 748100mail@kettlesyard.cam.ac.ukwww.kettlesyard.co.uk

House open Tuesday-Sunday 1.30-4.30pm

GallerY & sHop open Tuesday-Sunday 11.30am-5pm

Closed Good Friday, open Bank Holiday Mondays and Jubilee Bank Holiday

admission Free

Follow us and give us feedback on twitter @kettlesyard and www.facebook.com/kettlesyard

BY train/BusThe C1 bus runs from the station toBridge Street; a short walk over Magdalene Bridge leads to the gallery, past the Folk Museum.

BY roadFrom South: M11 exit at junction 13. From North: from A14 take the A1307 to Castle Street. Meter parking on Northampton Street or Pound Hill. Parking is limited; we recommend the Park & Ride service, 01223 718167.

Kettle’s Yard is grateful to the following: Arts Council England, The Higher Education Funding Council, The Heritage Lottery Fund, Cambridge City Council, The Isaac Newton Trust, The PRS for Music Foundation, The Holst Foundation, The RVW Trust, The Faculty of Music, The Friends of Kettle’s Yard, Dr Shirley Ellis, and other individual donors.

Kettle’s Yard offers a wide-reaching education service to meet the needs of those in and outside formal education, for more information e-mail rosie@kettlesyard.cam.ac.uk

The sHop in the gallery offers a range of cards, gifts, art books and magazines

If you would like to hear regularly from and support Kettle’s Yard you may like to join the Friends oF Kettle’s Yard

We rely on the generosity of our supporters to help us to maintain and grow our current programme, and safeguard Kettle’s Yard for future generations. If you would like to donate to Kettle’s Yard or for further information on how you can support us, please visit www.kettlesyard.co.uk/supporters

access The exhibition gallery provides wheelchair access and disabled toilet facilities. Limited wheelchair access can be provided to the house, including concerts. Entrance via the path off Castle Street.

concession rates apply to full-time students and people on incapacity or unemployment benefit

to request the leaflet text in an alternative format please phone 01223 748100