Cathy's Art Diary

Lovely annual exhibition at Glyndebourne featuring Sussex artists. There was an interesting range of work this year with the inclusion of sculpture, stained glass and textiles as well as paintings and prints. I loved this Downland cottage by William Davies but my favourite was a tiny painting on copper called “Returning Light” by Dawn Aldridge. Reading the blurb again I’ve learnt that Aldridge works in the gardens at Glyndebourne! Closed 15 December 2022  

Small exhibition at Glyndebourne Opera House highlighting posters from the companies 90-year history. Over the years there has been a tradition of commissioning contemporary artists to design the posters and there was a good blend of the old and new ones commissioned to mark the anniversary. Of the new ones I l loved a shadowy Antony Gormley and works by Conrad Shawcross and Edmund Du Waal using old techniques. Closed 8 September 2024    

Charming annual exhibition at Glyndebourne of work by Sussex artists. I loved Faye Bridgwater’s bright bold landscapes which almost mugged you with colour. It was nice to see some new pieces by Dion Salvador Lloyd in an unusual lime green palate. I was drawn to Victoria Homewood’s views through window’s but my favourite was Janie Longmore’s “Sussex Book Stack” as I own at least three of the books in it!    Closed 18 December 2023  

Interesting exhibition at Glyndebourne by Lubaina Himid. Himid draws on her love of opera to respond to the current season at the opera house. Himid trained as a theatre designer before turning to art and grew up listening to opera records owned by her grandfather. The centrepiece, which is also the cover of the season's programme, looks at what love sounds like combine the title with an abstract piece based on the structure of the ear. This was combined with some of her signature pieces painted on the inside of draws. The commentary says she images the portraits are people involved in the operas. Himid has also done paintings inspired by the operas in the current season which are used in the programme to introduce each work which I think are on display in another venue. I must investigate as I am due to go again! Closes 27 August 2023 Review Guardian    

Interesting exhibition at Glyndebourne marking 70 years of their production of a programme to cover the whole season of opera. The Glyndebourne programme, as the commentary said, is “an anthology of ideas on opera, art, history and place.” Over the years they have commissioned well known artists to design them. This year it is designed by Maggi Hambling and there were previous examples by David Hockney and Oliver Messel. I liked this photo print by Mark Vessey, commissioned to mark this event of the edges all the covers. Closes 28 August 2022