River's Edge: New paintings by Kate Giles and artists and makers who work with the East Anglian landscape

New paintings by Kate Giles exploring the landscape of the river Nar and Bure valleys will occupy The Ballroom, alongside new sculpture derived from forms found along the waterline by Jack Wheeler and Beth Groom and recent  sculptures of birds fashioned from repurposed materials by the late Emily Mayer.

A group exhibition of paintings, sculpture, photography, print, ceramics, turned wood and glass will be in The Courtyard Gallery on the ground floor.

In recent years Kate Giles has focused on the landscape of the Bure and Nar River valleys. Norfolk is one of a few counties in the country in which elements of the landscape have been formed by chalk streams. The rivers Nar and Bure are chalk rivers, rising from aquafers deep underground ensuring features particular to their source, as they join the Broads and the River Ouse. It is a realm carved by alterations in their flow over time. Kate’s compelling interpretation of these distinctive geological anomalies have been closely observed, adding to the tradition of English landscape. See Kate Giles' last catalogue produced for her exhibition at Gallery East, Woodbridge in our video section to see older works and to read the fulll essay by Andrew Graham-Dixon about her work.

Kate Giles’ installation on the first floor will be accompanied by new sculpture derived from forms found along the tidal waterline by Jack Wheeler and Beth Groom who have collected the subject matter for their sculptural objects while on their walks of Norfolk’s beaches. We will also be showing a selection of intricately constructed sculptures of birds fashioned from repurposed materials by Emily Mayer. Emily has worked as an artist and sculptor for many years using techniques as diverse as construction in wood, mechanical components, plastic, and taxidermy.

The second part on the ground floor in The Courtyard Gallery will be a group exhibition of contemporary handmade objects, paintings, prints, photography, and sculpture. Contributing artists and makers pursue their individual interpretations of East Anglian landforms or use sustainably sourced materials to create unique three-dimensional work and beautiful handmade objects. The exhibition’s coastal site where the River Alde runs into the sea will provide an appropriate setting for participating artists.

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