Dolly Shepherd – The Edwardian Lady Parachutist
Wednesday 9th July 2025
7.00 for 7.30 pm
10A South Grove N6 6BS and on Zoom
Entry £7.50 including a glass of wine (£3.00 on Zoom)
To book click here.
The fascinating story of a top-drawer star of our entertainment heritage at Alexandra Palace is Dolly Shepherd ‘The Edwardian Lady Parachutist’. Elizabeth, nicknamed Dolly, became famous for jumping out of balloons and floating back to earth in front of crowds of admirers. She was a daring performer who made her first and last jumps from Alexandra Park, North London but had a successful career nationally and unlike many of her aerial pioneer friends survived accidents, going on to serve in both the First and Second World Wars.
Kirsten Forrest is Curatorial and Interpretations Manager at the Alexandra Palace and Park Charitable Trust.
Exhibition at Highgate Gallery: Fates and Furies
4 – 17 July 2025
Vivien Thomason is a consummate colourist. She drips, swirls, layers and streams colour sometimes balanced and harmonious, sometimes menacing and unexpected. Her abstract works are a clear statement about the power of colour to energise our senses and feed our thoughts and fantasies.
The traumas of the earth and the rage of long-forgotten victims are all recurring themes. Unashamedly gothic, Vivien often incorporates apocalyptic figures storming from the canvas like ‘Furies’ on a quest to avenge the injustices and misogyny of the world. Vivien also re-works Gauguin’s Tahitian paintings, reclaiming the exploited young women as empowered ‘witches’, no longer weak or submissive. Other compositions include ‘maps’ of the sea and land incorporating bird and animal motifs, ‘necklace’ paintings with large carved beads layered over mourning ‘figures’, lost in lament. Regardless of the dramatic themes, touches of humour are also in evidence. Her paintings are rendered and dripped in liquid acrylics.
After a lengthy career in fashion, Vivien picked up her paints and poured her passions onto canvas. Her career made her profoundly aware how colour can appeal and affect mood. It also clarified how women are treated and often exploited in the industry. After years of faster and faster fashion, Vivien seeks to make amends by creating work that references the state of our world today and the climate catastrophe.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays & Sundays 10:00-16:00
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Private View: Friday 04 July 2025 18:00-20:30
Exhibition at Highgate Gallery: Fates and Furies
4 – 17 July 2025
Vivien Thomason is a consummate colourist. She drips, swirls, layers and streams colour sometimes balanced and harmonious, sometimes menacing and unexpected. Her abstract works are a clear statement about the power of colour to energise our senses and feed our thoughts and fantasies.
The traumas of the earth and the rage of long-forgotten victims are all recurring themes. Unashamedly gothic, Vivien often incorporates apocalyptic figures storming from the canvas like ‘Furies’ on a quest to avenge the injustices and misogyny of the world. Vivien also re-works Gauguin’s Tahitian paintings, reclaiming the exploited young women as empowered ‘witches’, no longer weak or submissive. Other compositions include ‘maps’ of the sea and land incorporating bird and animal motifs, ‘necklace’ paintings with large carved beads layered over mourning ‘figures’, lost in lament. Regardless of the dramatic themes, touches of humour are also in evidence. Her paintings are rendered and dripped in liquid acrylics.
After a lengthy career in fashion, Vivien picked up her paints and poured her passions onto canvas. Her career made her profoundly aware how colour can appeal and affect mood. It also clarified how women are treated and often exploited in the industry. After years of faster and faster fashion, Vivien seeks to make amends by creating work that references the state of our world today and the climate catastrophe.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays & Sundays 10:00-16:00
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Private View: Friday 04 July 2025 18:00-20:30
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Exhibition at Highgate Gallery: Fates and Furies
4 – 17 July 2025
Vivien Thomason is a consummate colourist. She drips, swirls, layers and streams colour sometimes balanced and harmonious, sometimes menacing and unexpected. Her abstract works are a clear statement about the power of colour to energise our senses and feed our thoughts and fantasies.
The traumas of the earth and the rage of long-forgotten victims are all recurring themes. Unashamedly gothic, Vivien often incorporates apocalyptic figures storming from the canvas like ‘Furies’ on a quest to avenge the injustices and misogyny of the world. Vivien also re-works Gauguin’s Tahitian paintings, reclaiming the exploited young women as empowered ‘witches’, no longer weak or submissive. Other compositions include ‘maps’ of the sea and land incorporating bird and animal motifs, ‘necklace’ paintings with large carved beads layered over mourning ‘figures’, lost in lament. Regardless of the dramatic themes, touches of humour are also in evidence. Her paintings are rendered and dripped in liquid acrylics.
After a lengthy career in fashion, Vivien picked up her paints and poured her passions onto canvas. Her career made her profoundly aware how colour can appeal and affect mood. It also clarified how women are treated and often exploited in the industry. After years of faster and faster fashion, Vivien seeks to make amends by creating work that references the state of our world today and the climate catastrophe.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays & Sundays 10:00-16:00
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Private View: Friday 04 July 2025 18:00-20:30
Exhibition at Highgate Gallery: Fates and Furies
4 – 17 July 2025
Vivien Thomason is a consummate colourist. She drips, swirls, layers and streams colour sometimes balanced and harmonious, sometimes menacing and unexpected. Her abstract works are a clear statement about the power of colour to energise our senses and feed our thoughts and fantasies.
The traumas of the earth and the rage of long-forgotten victims are all recurring themes. Unashamedly gothic, Vivien often incorporates apocalyptic figures storming from the canvas like ‘Furies’ on a quest to avenge the injustices and misogyny of the world. Vivien also re-works Gauguin’s Tahitian paintings, reclaiming the exploited young women as empowered ‘witches’, no longer weak or submissive. Other compositions include ‘maps’ of the sea and land incorporating bird and animal motifs, ‘necklace’ paintings with large carved beads layered over mourning ‘figures’, lost in lament. Regardless of the dramatic themes, touches of humour are also in evidence. Her paintings are rendered and dripped in liquid acrylics.
After a lengthy career in fashion, Vivien picked up her paints and poured her passions onto canvas. Her career made her profoundly aware how colour can appeal and affect mood. It also clarified how women are treated and often exploited in the industry. After years of faster and faster fashion, Vivien seeks to make amends by creating work that references the state of our world today and the climate catastrophe.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays & Sundays 10:00-16:00
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Private View: Friday 04 July 2025 18:00-20:30
Exhibition at Highgate Gallery: Fates and Furies
4 – 17 July 2025
Vivien Thomason is a consummate colourist. She drips, swirls, layers and streams colour sometimes balanced and harmonious, sometimes menacing and unexpected. Her abstract works are a clear statement about the power of colour to energise our senses and feed our thoughts and fantasies.
The traumas of the earth and the rage of long-forgotten victims are all recurring themes. Unashamedly gothic, Vivien often incorporates apocalyptic figures storming from the canvas like ‘Furies’ on a quest to avenge the injustices and misogyny of the world. Vivien also re-works Gauguin’s Tahitian paintings, reclaiming the exploited young women as empowered ‘witches’, no longer weak or submissive. Other compositions include ‘maps’ of the sea and land incorporating bird and animal motifs, ‘necklace’ paintings with large carved beads layered over mourning ‘figures’, lost in lament. Regardless of the dramatic themes, touches of humour are also in evidence. Her paintings are rendered and dripped in liquid acrylics.
After a lengthy career in fashion, Vivien picked up her paints and poured her passions onto canvas. Her career made her profoundly aware how colour can appeal and affect mood. It also clarified how women are treated and often exploited in the industry. After years of faster and faster fashion, Vivien seeks to make amends by creating work that references the state of our world today and the climate catastrophe.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays & Sundays 10:00-16:00
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Private View: Friday 04 July 2025 18:00-20:30
Exhibition at Highgate Gallery: Fates and Furies
4 – 17 July 2025
Vivien Thomason is a consummate colourist. She drips, swirls, layers and streams colour sometimes balanced and harmonious, sometimes menacing and unexpected. Her abstract works are a clear statement about the power of colour to energise our senses and feed our thoughts and fantasies.
The traumas of the earth and the rage of long-forgotten victims are all recurring themes. Unashamedly gothic, Vivien often incorporates apocalyptic figures storming from the canvas like ‘Furies’ on a quest to avenge the injustices and misogyny of the world. Vivien also re-works Gauguin’s Tahitian paintings, reclaiming the exploited young women as empowered ‘witches’, no longer weak or submissive. Other compositions include ‘maps’ of the sea and land incorporating bird and animal motifs, ‘necklace’ paintings with large carved beads layered over mourning ‘figures’, lost in lament. Regardless of the dramatic themes, touches of humour are also in evidence. Her paintings are rendered and dripped in liquid acrylics.
After a lengthy career in fashion, Vivien picked up her paints and poured her passions onto canvas. Her career made her profoundly aware how colour can appeal and affect mood. It also clarified how women are treated and often exploited in the industry. After years of faster and faster fashion, Vivien seeks to make amends by creating work that references the state of our world today and the climate catastrophe.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays & Sundays 10:00-16:00
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Private View: Friday 04 July 2025 18:00-20:30
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Monday 6 Nov coffee computers 10 30
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Monday 6 Nov coffee computers 10 30
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Monday 6 Nov coffee computers 10 30
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Monday 6 Nov coffee computers 10 30
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Monday 6 Nov coffee computers 10 30
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Monday 6 Nov coffee computers 10 30
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.