Camden

Saturday 17 February 2024
THE USE OF NATURALISM IN THE WORK OF FABERGE
Presented by Clare Blatherwick
Venue & time: 11.30 a.m for 12 midday at Carrington Recreation Centre, 90 Werombi Rd. Grasmere

The name Fabergé resonates with many of us and conjures up images of pre-revolutionary Russia, the most opulent Easter Eggs ever produced and exquisite pieces found in the most important collections in the world. Clare will discuss the use of naturalism in the work of Faberge in an illustrated talk focusing on the firm’s lesser-known experiments in Art Nouveau, as well as animal representations in hardstone carvings and the flower studies that the firm excelled in. She will also look at the naturalistic imagery incorporated into objects d’art such as desk seals and caviar dishes.

Clare is an independent jewellery consultant with over 20 years’ experience in the industry. She spent 10 years as Head of Jewellery for Bonhams in Scotland, which involved travelling internationally searching for unique jewels to auction. Clare has a passion for the historical aspect of jewellery and lectures widely on this in both the U.K and the U.S Clare is also a member of the Society of Jewellery Historians.

Saturday 6 April 2024
LITERARY ENGLAND: TOP TEN PLACES
Presented by Susannah Fullerton 
Venue & time: 11.30 a.m for 12 midday at Carrington Recreation Centre, 90 Werombi Rd. Grasmere

Susannah will take us on a tour of her “top ten” places in England connected with writers and great works of literature, travelling from the soft beauty of the countryside of the south to the more dramatic northern landscapes. Come and see if you agree with her selection – she is happy to hear other opinions!

Susannah has a post graduate degree in Victorian literature, lectures across Australia and leads literary tours to the UK, France and the USA. She has been president of the Jane Austen Society of Australia for more than two decades and has authored several books on Jane Austen and other writers such as Katherine Mansfield.

Saturday 4 May 2024
PHOTOGRAPHY COMES OF AGE
Presented by Roger Mendham
Venue & time: 11.30 a.m for 12 midday at Carrington Recreation Centre, 90 Werombi Rd. Grasmere

From the very first, grainy image created in 1826, photography has evolved into a major art form. Developments in photography have posed challenges to more traditional art genres and it is interesting to see how some of the great artists have adapted to using cameras as part of their work. This talk looks at photography over the past nearly 200 years, looking at key advances in technology and the inter-relationship with art movements. The work of pioneering women photographers is particularly interesting, and the talk concludes with examples of some great photographs that have been sold for millions of dollars at auction.

A keen and accomplished photographer Roger has gained Distinctions from the Royal Photographic Society and is currently the President of the Surrey Photographic Association. He is a scientist by background. With his focus on the visual aspects of art he has studied the evolution of photography from its earliest days in the early 1800s to becoming a major art form in the late 20th and now 21st centuries.

Saturday 1 June 2024
THE BOOK OF KELLS: HISTORY AND MYSTERY
Presented by Gemma Black 
Venue & time: 11.30 a.m for 12 midday at Carrington Recreation Centre, 90 Werombi Rd. Grasmere

In 2000, Ireland’s national treasure, The Book of Kells, was loaned to Australia and was viewed in the National Gallery by over 80,000 people. This illustrated lecture is based on the lectures that Gemma Black gave at the time, when she was invited by the National Gallery to give insight into the calligraphy, illumination and pigments and the tools used to create this amazing work.

Gemma Black is an expert in calligraphy, illumination, lettering and bookbinding and is also an artist and teacher. She has lectured extensively throughout Australia, Europe, the UK and USA. Her work is held in private and public collections. She was a recipient of a Winston Churchill Memorial Fellowship to study overseas and is an Honoured Fellow of the Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society, UK.

Saturday 6 July 2024
ANTONI GAUDI I CORNET – MASTER BUILDER OF BARCELONA
Presented by Vivienne Lawes
Venue & time: 11.30 a.m for 12 midday at Carrington Recreation Centre, 90 Werombi Rd. Grasmere

Spanish architect and designer Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926), a key figure in Catalan Modernism, influenced Barcelona’s identity. Inventor of new techniques and an enthusiast of all things botanical and sacred, Gaudí’s most famous building, the Barcelona Church of the Sagrada Família, is Spain’s most-visited monument and one of seven of the architect’s works listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Building works on Sagrada Família were begun in 1882 and are still ongoing. This lecture examines Gaudí’s work and legacy. 

Viv Lawes is an art historian, art market analyst, curator and writer who combines a hands-on career in the art business with academic research and teaching in Higher Education. She teaches at several London-based universities, including Sotheby’s Institute of Art, the University of the Arts London (UAL), the City & Guilds of London Art School, SOAS (University of London), and Imperial College.  

Saturday 3 August 2024
THE GUGGENHEIMS: NEW YORK, VENICE AND BILBAO
Presented by Andrew Hopkins
Venue & time: 11.30 a.m for 12 midday at Carrington Recreation Centre, 90 Werombi Rd. Grasmere

The Guggenheim family managed to amass extraordinary art collections, and design or acquire astounding buildings to display their art, their name even becoming a brand. This talk, based on Andrew Hopkin’s experience working at the Guggenheim in Venice, examines the celebrated museums in New York, Venice and Bilbao, as well as the stunning works they display.

Andrew Hopkins specialises in great art collections and great art collectors. His experience includes as an Assistant Director of the British School in Rome and as a Professor at the University of L’Aquila. He has also published extensively.

Saturday 14 September 2024
PHRASES AND SAYINGS: THE ETYMOLOGY OF THE CITY OF LONDON
Presented by Alan Read 
Venue & time: 11.30 a.m for 12 midday at Carrington Recreation Centre, 90 Werombi Rd. Grasmere

The English language is rich in idioms, phrases and sayings which are part of everyday speech yet seldom do we consider their original meanings. This is an exploration of historical etymology, often traceable to the City of London. Even if you need to ‘rob Peter to pay Paul’ and it’s ‘raining cats and dogs’ you’d be ‘barking mad’ to miss this lecture.

Alan Read holds a master’s and a first-class honours degree in History of Art from Birkbeck College, London. He is an experienced lecturer and guide at London’s major galleries. He also has an interest in the rich history of the English language.

Saturday 12 October 2024
THE ART AND ARCHITECTURE OF ST PETERSBURG: A WINDOW ONTO THE WEST
Presented by Andrew Spira
Venue & time: 11.30 a.m for 12 midday at Carrington Recreation Centre, 90 Werombi Rd. Grasmere

In the reign of Peter the Great at the beginning of the 18th century Russia experienced its own ‘Renaissance’. Peter weakened the ties to tradition, which were enshrined in ancient Moscow, and built a new city – St. Petersburg, a window on to the West. This ushered in significant changes in Russia with the emergence of great novelists, composers and artists.

Andrew Spira studied at the Courtauld Institute and Kings College, London. His experience includes 14 years as Programme Director at Christie’s Education. Besides lecturing extensively on a wide range of subjects, he has taken numerous groups (including ADFAS and Arts Society groups) on cultural visits to Russia, Armenia, Georgia, Romania, Crete, Turkey, Tunisia and all over Europe. He has also published extensively.