Journal
Green Shoots - Fen Ditton Gallery
Exhibition dates: 18th January - 2nd March 2025
Open Thursdays 12 - 5pm and weekends 11am - 6pm
‘Life is so exciting; nature is so exciting. Trying to catch that one simple statement about it. That’s what I’m aiming for.’
Wilhelmina Barns Graham (1912-2004)
Fen Ditton Gallery is delighted to start the New Year with an exhibition which highlights different artistic responses to the colour green.
Life, art and nature are intertwined in a show which brings together 15 artists across three generations exploring the cultural associations, moods, tones and materials of a green world.
A selection of fine artist print collaborations from the studio of the late Kip Gresham, include works by:
Wilhelmina Barns-Graham; Willard Boepple; Stephen Chambers and John McLean as well as a rare work both conceived and printed by Kip himself.
Rachel Gracey (winner of the Pressing Matters Award at Fen Ditton Gallery’s 2023 Printmaking Prize) will show a group of works inspired by gardens and we are delighted to include a rare Michael Rothenstein print from the collection of Rampant Lions Press.
Seaweed as a valued natural material appears in works by artist/anthropologist Rebecca Jewell and by emerging Glasgow designer Iona Turner. A special event will be hosted by them during the show.
Green glass is given breathtaking form in new handblown vessels by two leading UK glass studios: Bob Crooks and Gillies Jones. The Transglass upcycled domestic glassware collection by designers Tord Boontje and Emma Woffendenalso returns to the gallery following its first appearance here in 2018.
Celadons, pastels, ikat silk and jade will also make an appearance in this world of greens. .
Exhibiting artists include: Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, Willard Boepple, Clive Bowen, Stephen Chambers RA, Bob Crooks, Charlotte De Syllas, Edmund de Waal, Gwynn Hanssen Pigott, Gillies Jones, Rachel Gracey, Kip Gresham, Rebecca Jewell, John McLean, Tess Recordon, Mary Restieaux, Michael Rothenstein/Rampant Lions Press, David Stonehouse, Transglass (Tord Boontje / Emma Woffenden), Iona Turner, Susie Turner.
Viewing appointments can be arranged at other times by contacting info@fendittongallery.com or 01223 295657
All works are for sale.
Purchase enquiries can be made to info@fendittongallery.com or online from the 18th January.
Fen Ditton Gallery, 23 High Street, Fen Ditton, Cambridge CB5 8ST
January 2025 - we are closed to visitors
It's that time of year when the glass is packed away and the paint brushes come out.
As we prepare to reopen our doors on March 1st for our thirtieth year blowing glass in Rosedale, we are working to make the pace spic and span.
Last Telephone and Online Orders for Christmas Delivery
We are open to visitors up to December 20th and close for Christmas at 4pm
Online and telephone orders for Christmas Delivery will be accepted and posted up to 3pm on 19th December.
All bowl and vase orders will be automatically gift boxed up to 19th December.
Email subscribers, check your emails for our seasonal thank you code.
We really do appreciate every order.
Thank you.
Stephen & Kate
Thank You Japan
I had a wonderful time in Japan, meeting people, showing work, exploring studios and enjoying the generous hospitality of many makers welcoming us into their homes.
I am still processing the incredible adventure, I am though, planning a return trip.
Japan
Kate will be visiting Kyoto this month (Stephen will be in Rosedale Blowing Glass), joining several British and Japanese artists in the the Kogei region of Kyoto showing ur work. It's a wonderful project and we are delighted to have been invited to visit Japan with our glass.
Kogei are Traditional Crafts of Japan that must meet five requirements to be recognised by the Ministry of Economy.
- The crafts must be made for everyday use
- The main parts of the manufacturing process must be handmade
- The crafts must be created using traditional techniques
- They must use raw materials that are extracted and then used in a traditional way
- They much be make in a designed area and must come from a certain region in Japan
Glassmaking New Furnace
The glass making has resumed in Rosedale.
Our third furnace in nearly thirty years working glass, is up and running.
New Piece - Blue Landscape
Light and colour, two of my favourite things, as is the overlay of textures, transparency and mark making on glass.
September Moon
Septembers full moon was a wonder to watch from Scarborough's shores. It's been a beautiful week in Rosedale, we have been blessed with good weather, clear skies and warm daytime temperatures.
Perfect for furnace building