Friday Focus - details of dates etc until 11th July 2025

 

The Friday Focus is a series of FREE talks and is open to everyone - just come along! They start at 1pm and usually last 30-60 minutes.

Here's a list of what's happening until July 2025

2nd May - Meandering with Mayoralty - a talk about Leamington Mayors by Martin Harrison

9th May - Then and now around the county with David Morse

16th May - Swimming at the Royal Pump Rooms with Victoria Slade.

23rd May - From Paris to Warwick - The story of Tony Dury with Paul Baker.

13th June - A different View Exhibition by Kellie Sabin

20th June - Health care in Leamington with Michael Pearson

27th June - This is a man's place- Lord Leycester 

7th July - From scrapbooks to photocollage - Lily Crowther

11th July - Derek Billings - Photographs of Leamington with Barry Franklin.

Boughton House and Gardens visit - Northamptonshire

Wednesday 9th April - images courtesy of Cherry. She says:

 

"We had a lovely visit to Boughton House and Gardens in Northamptonshire yesterday. A private tour of the house with its impressive collection of paintings and furniture. After a tasty soup and sandwich lunch we explored the gardens. The sky was blue, the sun shone and the gardens were beautiful, a thoroughly enjoyable day".

 If you'd like to know more about our excursions click here.

Here's some more of Cherry's lovely photos:

 

Windrush Meet The Artist special - FLAG exclusive

Not only is Saturday 12th April (2-4pm) a Meet The Artist special with Annabel Rainbow and some of the people involved in her series of Windrush portraits, but it's also Benjamin Zephaniah day, and the gallery has 2 quilts made by Annabel in the Unravelling History exhibition that feature Benjamin.

 

Here's a FLAG exclusive showing the pieces and how one was constructed. 

Below: The first stage was to use sketches made of Birmingham and create a cloth that could be used as a background. Can you recognize any of these iconic places?

 

Below: knocking back the background with white acrylic - "The Background's Too Strong, It Needs To Be Whiter".

Below: Beginning to put in the outlines of Benjamin on stage. This helps with the stitching lines.

Below: Building colour and adding text. Beginning to stitch the dreadlocks and body.

Below: Stitching round significant phrases and words in pink thread. The whole quilt is heavily stitched throughout the figure and the background.

Below: standing back once the sewing is finished to appraise the piece before finishing the painting and getting balance into the piece.

Final adding of paint to the stitched dreadlocks.

 

Finally, in place in the gallery.

 

 

 

 

Friday Focus 4th April 2025 - Samplers

 

Stepping Off The Edge

Quilt

103cms (40.5") long x 69cms (27") wide

From sampler to memento mori.

A memento mori inspired by a sampler in the Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum's  collection. (Memento mori is a Latin phrase meaning 'remember you must die'. A basic memento mori painting would be a portrait with a skull but other symbols commonly found are hour glasses - or chicken egg timers to bring it up to date! - or clocks, extinguished or guttering candles, fruit, and flowers). It's called Stepping Off The Edge because of the bronze stepping off on the left hand side and symbolises life after death, and going into the unknown.

The quilt also has from the collection, a child's balancing toy, and a large pot which I've put honesty seedheads in. The raven is dripping paint onto a small book which has the words "The moving finger writes..." stitched on. The quote "I wasted time and now time doth waste me" is from Richard II, Shakespeare. The clock hands are made of the words *the life of time is motion*  and were taken from a clock at Snowshill Manor in Glos. 

 

  

The balancing act toy in the collection, and the earthenware post that contains honesty seeds on the new work.

 

 The sampler 

  Text from the V&A 

"The English word 'sampler' derives from the Latin 'exemplum', or the old French term 'essamplaire', meaning 'an example'. Before the introduction of printed designs, embroiderers and lacemakers needed a way to record and reference different designs, stitches and effects. The answer was to create a sampler – a personal reference work featuring patterns and elements that the owner may have learned or copied from others, to recreate again in new pieces.

Such stitch and pattern collections may have been assembled in a number of cultures where decorative needlework was widely practised. Early examples rarely survive, but the quality of the oldest surviving samplers suggests they were made by experienced hands, as well as children, (in many cultures learning needlework was an important part of a young girl's education). The earliest in our collection were found in Egyptian burial grounds, and probably date from the 14th or 15th centuries.

LSAGM have a number of samplers in their collection, but I liked this blue and white one, with it's prayer at the bottom.

The V&A continue about 19th century samplers...

"Moral or religious texts, though usually less personal (than Parker's), continued to be a frequent choice in the first half of the 19th century. First popular in England in the mid-17th century, these improving or pious statements are central to the often fairly unsophisticated pieces we now recognise as a 'classic' Victorian sampler. This type of piece was also important in the embroidery traditions of European settlers in America, whose strongly felt sense of religious purpose helped to sustain them in an unfamiliar and often unforgiving landscape. A more accomplished piece stitched by 'E Pratt' in the 'New Orphan House Ashley Down Bristol' in 1886 helps demonstrate that in the 18th and 19th centuries samplers were increasingly being used as an educational tool for girls from all social backgrounds."

The sampler in the LSAGM collection

 

PHILIP SUTTON RA Woodcuts 1962-1976

 

In 2005 the Art Gallery and Museum held an exhibition about the woodcuts of PHILIP SUTTON RA from 1962-1976

 

FLAG sponsored this exhibition preview evening and then in 2007 donated towards the purchase of MAGNIFICENT. Flag were asked and agreed to this because of his strong association with Leamington Spa

 

The gallery are now doing a Friday Focus talk on Philip Sutton and the work that's held in their collection. It's on 28th March from 1 to 1.30ish. They say:

 

"Join the gallery team as they examine the work of Philip Sutton that is held in our collection. As well as ‘Magnificent’ (currently on display in the Art Gallery and originally part funded by Friends of Leamington Gallery (FLAG)), we also hold a self-portrait of Philip Sutton. Find out about this amazing artist and his wonderful work."

Here's a bit of history from the RA website: 

"Philip Sutton studied under William Coldstream at the Slade School of Fine Art, London from 1948 to 1953. He won the Summer Composition Prize and travelled to Spain, France and Italy on scholarships before returning to teach at the Slade School of Fine Art from 1954 to 1963.

Sutton’s first solo show was held at Roland, Browse and Delbanco in 1956, the year he was elected a Member of the London Group. This was followed by many solo exhibitions throughout the UK, including the Geffrye Museum, London (1959), Retrospective at Leeds City Art Gallery (1960), exhibitions in Newcastle, Bradford and Edinburgh in (1961) and at the Graves Art Gallery, Sheffield (1971). In 1977 the BBC Arena Programme made a film about his work and a retrospective exhibition of his work was held at the Royal Academy of Arts, London. His first exhibition in Paris was held at Galerie Joel Salaun in 1988.

Sutton has travelled extensively in order to paint. In 1963 he went to Australia and Fiji, returning the following year with a large exhibition of tropical landscapes. In 1980 he returned to Australia to paint for four months, resulting in an exhibition of large paintings of the Great Barrier Reef which were exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1982. He has also painted in Cornwall, Ireland and Crete.

Sutton has received several commissions, including the design for two tapestries at West Dean College in 1984 and 1986, a London Transport Soho Poster, and a set of new stamps for the Post Office in 1987. In 1986 he became involved in painting ceramics and was commissioned by Pentagram to paint a wall of tiles at the Art Tile Factory, Stoke-on-Trent. An exhibition of his painted ceramics was held at Odette Gilbert Gallery, London in 1987. In 1995 he began work on a series of paintings on William Shakespeare which continued for three years. Sutton was elected a Royal Academician in 1988 and lives and works in Pembrokeshire, Wales"

Date:2005

Description:

Philip Sutton (1928 - )

Magnificent! 2005

Oil on canvas

Purchased with support from The Art Fund, MLA/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, and the Friends of Leamington Art Gallery 2006

Magnificent! is a brilliantly coloured depiction of a tree which stands at the end of the artist’s garden in Manorbier, Pembrokeshire. Behind the tree, the sea can be seen sparkling through the foliage.

It is a scene Sutton has painted many times, scrutinising the view and observing the shifting light. He stresses that he is not attempting to capture how the tree 'looks', but what it 'feels' like. He does not attempt to portray a particular instant, but the larger vision of the tree over time. By focusing on a single natural form, Sutton is able to consider the larger questions of how man relates to his environment.

© Philip Sutton

John Bridgeman bronze statue is installed in the Jephson Gardens

 

A new statue has sprung up in the Jephson Gardens - what is it, who made it and why?

A paliamentary committee comissioned John Bridgeman to make a great public sculpture to commemorate the plight of refugees after the Vietnam War. He created this sculpture of a fleeing mother with her child slumped over her shoulder. In 1984 because of a changing political climate the sculpture was returned to Bridgeman's studios uncast. 

He continued to work on it in his studio however, and adapted it to a new vision to the unknown refugee. There were also plans for it to be cast and sited outside the memorial garden at Coventry Cathedral, but that fell through too.

It has been "rescued" by the gallery before the plaster moquette held at the foundry crumbled away completely, and installed in the Jephson Gardens on a slight rise with the river in the background, reflective perhaps of todays migration tragedies. It seems perfect for it's spot, and is powerfully emotional. The Unkown Refuge.

Here are some photos of the process.

Assembling the hoist

Removing the statue from the lorry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The statue is top heavy, so huge care made to avoid wobbling and using the hydraulic lift.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pushing it along the wood path and positioning it under the hoist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The bubblewrap has been removed and some of the blankets so that the statue can be moved into position on the plinth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The statue is in the right position but the plinth needs to be marked where the bolts will go. The bolts stick out under the statue so a simple pencil mark is made.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Moving the statue out of the way and drilling the holes

 

 

The holes need to be cleared of dust so the resin and bolts can fill the holes properly. This little gadget is a dust-blower-out-of-holes machine pump.

Is it in the right place? Double checking to make sure before adding the final resin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yep, it is. In goes the resin which dries harder than concrete.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All done, just the reveal to go!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Covers off, and the reveal to a ripple of applause.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 2025 Excusions list!

 

FRIENDS OF LEAMINGTON SPA ART GALLERY & MUSEUM

EXCURSIONS 2025

 

All excursions leave from Newbold Comyn with a pick up in Newbold Terrace, opposite the Spa Centre, about 5 minutes later.  Please bring relevant membership cards as we are required to show them.  Without them entrance fees will be charged.

Please familiarise yourself with the Information Sheet on the FLAG website before submitting your booking.

Phone numbers for day of excursion are:       Judy 07580388659      Lyn 07795085756

 

We are only giving details of our day and a brief introduction to the venues as they all have their own websites for you to consult to get more detailed information.

 

 

BOUGHTON HOUSE, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

WEDNESDAY 9 APRIL – DEPART 8.45am

 

Travelling straight to Boughton House where there will be coffee/tea and biscuits (included in the price) followed by a tour of several of the rooms on the ground and first floors.  We will then have  lunch (soup and variety of sandwiches inc. fish & vegetarian, also included in the price).  Free time then to have a leisurely wander in the gardens.  An afternoon drink/cake will be available to purchase at 3.15pm if required.

Boughton House contains pictures by El Greco, Van Dyck and Gainsborough among many others, as well as Sevres porcelain, Boulle furniture, Mortlake tapestries and 16^th century rugs from the Middle East.  In 1683 the 1^st Duke of Montagu inherited a Tudor house and extended it.  His son, the 2^nd Duke planted large parts of the garden.  The house is now owned by their descendant the Duke of Buccleuch.

 

Leaving at 4.15 pm.                                        Organiser – Judy Ross            01926 423033

 

 

AMERSHAM & CHENIES MANOR, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

TUESDAY 13 MAY – DEPART 8.30 am

 

Travelling straight to Amersham where there are several pubs and cafes to purchase coffee and lunch, or bring your own picnic.  A free morning to discover Amersham which has 150 listed buildings, you may have seen it featured in Midsomer Murders, Poirot or Four Weddings and a Funeral!  St Mary's church was built in the 13^th Century and extended in the 14^th & 15^th Centuries.  It was restored in the 1890's.  There are unusual “body stones” graves in the churchyard.  The Amersham Society has a useful old town map on their website at www.amershamsociety.com.

We leave Amersham at 1.45pm to travel to Chenies Manor for a private tour of part of the house.  Old Chenies Manor House was built in 1460 by Sir John Cheyne and, for a time, became the seat of the Dukes of Bedford.  The house still retains its Tudor architecture.  Free time then to walk around the award winning garden and take tea/coffee and cake which is included in the price.

 

Leaving at 4.15 pm.                                        Organiser – Judy Ross            01926 423033

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHREWSBURY & WOLLERTON OLD HALL GARDEN, SHROPSHIRE

WEDNESDAY 25 JUNE – DEPART 8.30am

 

Travelling straight to Shrewsbury for the morning to explore the town at your own pace. Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery, is in the centre of the town, housed behind a grand Georgian facade and is free to visit.  The Visitor Information Centre can be found there.  Shrewsbury is home to 660 listed buildings and is most famous for being the birthplace of Charles Darwin.  Shrewsbury Cathedral is central and is famous for its stained glass by the acclaimed artist Margaret Rope (1882-1953).  There are also other churches within walking distance, Shrewsbury Abbey is a bit further out of the centre.  There are plenty of options for purchasing coffee and lunch or bring your own picnic.

We leave Shrewsbury at 1.45pm for the short journey to Wollerton Old Hall Garden.  This award winning garden has recently featured on Monty Don's British Gardens and is 'A world class example of an English Garden'.  Set in 3 acres surrounding a 16^th century Hall,  we will have exclusive enjoyment of these gardens for the afternoon with tea/cake included in the price.

 

Leaving at 5.00pm.                                         Organiser -  Lyn Buckle          01926 339499

 

ARLEY HALL & GARDENS, CHESHIRE

MONDAY 14 JULY – DEPART 8.30am

 

We shall have a comfort break en route and arrive, hopefully, between 11.00 – 11.30am.  Arley Hall is a Grade II* listed building with adjacent chapel.  We are visiting on one of the few days a month  the Hall is open, guided tours are not available, visitors self guide round the two floors of the hall, knowledgeable volunteers are available for information.  The gardens are amongst the finest in Europe, having been created over the last 270 years by successive generations of the same family.  There are 8 acres of formal gardens and 7 acres of Woodland Garden.  The Double Herbaceous Border is the best-known feature of the gardens and is thought to be the first planted in England.  Lunch can be purchased at The Gardener's Kitchen Cafe or there are picnic benches in the Play Zone.

Leaving at 5.00pm                                          Organiser – Lyn Buckle          01926 339499

 

ROYAL HOLLOWAY COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON EGHAM, SURREY

THURSDAY 7 AUGUST – DEPART 8.00 am

 

An early start for this excursion but we will have a coffee stop at Oxford Services for about 30 minutes then straight on to Royal Holloway College.  This is a private tour starting at 11.00am with a tour of the Founders Building, including the quads, the Chapel, Lecture Theatre, Reading Room and other rooms subject to availability.  At 12.30pm we will have lunch (a variety of sandwiches including meat, fish & vegetarian, fruit platter and tea/coffee/mineral water) which will be served in the Picture Gallery followed by a talk about the pictures at 1.15pm.  There will then be free time to look at the paintings.  Tea/coffee and cake will be served again in the Picture Gallery at 3.00pm.  Lunch and tea are both included in the price.

Thomas and Jane Holloway were a wealthy couple who decided to put their money into building a college for women's education.  Sadly, neither lived to see the opening of the building in 1886 by Queen Victoria.  Thomas went on a spending spree for the University and bought paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings and watercolours including works by William Powell Frith, John Everett Millais and Edward Burne-Jones.  Recent additions to the collection include works by Augustus John and Graham Sutherland.

 

Leaving at 3.45pm                                          Organiser – Judy Ross            01926 423033

2025 Spring Talks

All talks are held at the Dormer Conference Centre beside St Peter’s Church in Dormer Place.
Parking is available on the street in Dormer Place or in St Peter’s multi-storey car park.

Wednesday 19th February 2.30pm
Simon Gulliver – Chinese Wilson
Tuesday 18th March 7.30pm
Aidan McRae Thompson – Stained Glass in Leamington and Beyond
Tuesday 15th April 7.00pm AGM followed by
Tim Robottom – Introduction to Street Art

Summer trips are now being planned which we hope members will support. We try to seek
out venues that are interesting but a bit more unusual. Any ideas for future trips are always
welcome, as are ideas for future speakers for our meetings.

Your subscriptions help look after and enlarge the collections.You will already know that, regrettably, we have taken the decision to raise the annual subscription from £12 to £15. 

 

We are faced with increased overheads and declining membership so this is necessary to maintain a reasonable level of income to run the society and be able to support various projects for the AG&M. It does, in fact, take us in line with most other local societies. 

 

As well as continuing your membership, another way you can help is by encouraging your friends and neighbours to join FLAG: new members are always very welcome.