The Umbrella Artists...

ST MARGARET'S CHURCH, ST BENEDICT'S, NORWICH
JULY 28 - AUGUST 7, 2009
11AM-5PM WEEKDAYS, 11AM-4PM WEEKENDS

Norfolk's newest collective of artists is staging its first exhibition in Norwich during July and August. And they're out to prove that an UMBRELLA is not just for a rainy day. The 18 exhibiting artists have styled themselves UMBRELLA to convey the eclectic, over-arching and all-embracing character of their work, which ranges from contemporary painting to lace-making, traditional weaving to ground-breaking video. Many of the participating artists are masters degree graduates from the Norwich University College of the Arts, and have been joined by several established artists for this unique show. Several are more mature women for whom the journey from the domestic humdrum has been a life-changing experience. 

For example:
Gloria Davis began her artistic journey in the late 1950's as a student studying Fine Art at the St. Albans School of Art. Domesticity took over and her studies had to be laid aside until she retired to Norfolk in 2000 and decided on some “me time”. She enrolled at City College, in Norwich, which in turn lead to a place at the NUCA. She achieved a BA Hons in Visual Studies and went on to achieve an MA in Fine Art.
Lisa Little completed her MA at NUCA after being a freelance costume and fairy maker for over 15 years. She began making and selling her work when she was 16 using her aptitude for knowing what the latest 'thing' was. She has recently completed her largest body of work to date for The Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital children's ward re-decoration has re-invented herself as an illustrator specialising in stitched drawings. 
Christine Durrant left school at 16 and spent years bringing up her three children until she took a City College course that also led to a BA, then MA in contemporary textiles at NUCA. She is a weaver, specialising in Japanese ikat techniques and has recently been accepted to exhibit at the prestigious Salthouse 09 exhibition.

For the private view the artists and public will also be joined by Stephen Scott, a local musician who uses guitars and live-looping techniques to create an ever-changing and evolving backdrop of sound to complement the exhibition.  He will be playing live (using no pre-recorded samples) on Mon 27th between 5:00 and 7:30.  His music will also be played throughout the exhibition.  These pieces were actually recorded live at the Bergh Apton Sculpture Trail a couple of years ago, but have never been available on CD.  In addition, 2 other CDs will be available to purchase ('Mutant Fruit' and 'Female Horse Stuffed with Wax') throughout the exhibition. 

Please click here to view an Evening News article covering the exhibition and view the Flickr page to see photographs of the private view.