Heckel’s Horse is the alias used by local artist Edgeworth Johnstone for a series of works based on collaborative paintings he made over the last ten years with Medway artist Billy Childish, 18 years his senior. Hence, Johnstone acting alone is Heckel’s Horse Jr. These beguiling works have their roots in primitive and symbolist art using colour and the language of dreams to great effect.
Open: Wednesday and Thursday: 13.00 – 17.00


Heckel’s Horse is the alias used by local artist Edgeworth Johnstone for a series of works based on collaborative paintings he made over the last ten years with Medway artist Billy Childish, 18 years his senior. Hence, Johnstone acting alone is Heckel’s Horse Jr. These beguiling works have their roots in primitive and symbolist art using colour and the language of dreams to great effect.
Open: Wednesday and Thursday: 13.00 – 17.00


Heckel’s Horse is the alias used by local artist Edgeworth Johnstone for a series of works based on collaborative paintings he made over the last ten years with Medway artist Billy Childish, 18 years his senior. Hence, Johnstone acting alone is Heckel’s Horse Jr. These beguiling works have their roots in primitive and symbolist art using colour and the language of dreams to great effect.
Open: Wednesday and Thursday: 13.00 – 17.00


Heckel’s Horse is the alias used by local artist Edgeworth Johnstone for a series of works based on collaborative paintings he made over the last ten years with Medway artist Billy Childish, 18 years his senior. Hence, Johnstone acting alone is Heckel’s Horse Jr. These beguiling works have their roots in primitive and symbolist art using colour and the language of dreams to great effect.
Open: Wednesday and Thursday: 13.00 – 17.00


Heckel’s Horse is the alias used by local artist Edgeworth Johnstone for a series of works based on collaborative paintings he made over the last ten years with Medway artist Billy Childish, 18 years his senior. Hence, Johnstone acting alone is Heckel’s Horse Jr. These beguiling works have their roots in primitive and symbolist art using colour and the language of dreams to great effect.
Open: Wednesday and Thursday: 13.00 – 17.00


Heckel’s Horse is the alias used by local artist Edgeworth Johnstone for a series of works based on collaborative paintings he made over the last ten years with Medway artist Billy Childish, 18 years his senior. Hence, Johnstone acting alone is Heckel’s Horse Jr. These beguiling works have their roots in primitive and symbolist art using colour and the language of dreams to great effect.
Open: Wednesday and Thursday: 13.00 – 17.00


Heckel’s Horse is the alias used by local artist Edgeworth Johnstone for a series of works based on collaborative paintings he made over the last ten years with Medway artist Billy Childish, 18 years his senior. Hence, Johnstone acting alone is Heckel’s Horse Jr. These beguiling works have their roots in primitive and symbolist art using colour and the language of dreams to great effect.
Open: Wednesday and Thursday: 13.00 – 17.00


Heckel’s Horse is the alias used by local artist Edgeworth Johnstone for a series of works based on collaborative paintings he made over the last ten years with Medway artist Billy Childish, 18 years his senior. Hence, Johnstone acting alone is Heckel’s Horse Jr. These beguiling works have their roots in primitive and symbolist art using colour and the language of dreams to great effect.
Open: Wednesday and Thursday: 13.00 – 17.00


Handmade in Highgate, the designer maker Spring Fair.
Now in its 8th year!
Handmade in Highgate are the designer/maker fairs held at the beautiful historic Highgate Literary and Scientific Institution (HLSI) in Highgate Village.
The fair’s focus is to feature and support the UK’s brightest and best designer/ maker talent.
As ever we have a wonderful, award winning line up, featuring artists and makers creating and selling work in all disciplines and price range.
Handmade In Highgate is open:
Friday 22 March: 5pm – 8pm
Saturday 23 March: 10am – 6pm

Handmade in Highgate, the designer maker Spring Fair.
Now in its 8th year!
Handmade in Highgate are the designer/maker fairs held at the beautiful historic Highgate Literary and Scientific Institution (HLSI) in Highgate Village.
The fair’s focus is to feature and support the UK’s brightest and best designer/ maker talent.
As ever we have a wonderful, award winning line up, featuring artists and makers creating and selling work in all disciplines and price range.
Handmade In Highgate is open:
Friday 22 March: 5pm – 8pm
Saturday 23 March: 10am – 6pm

Handmade in Highgate, the designer maker Spring Fair.
Now in its 8th year!
Handmade in Highgate are the designer/maker fairs held at the beautiful historic Highgate Literary and Scientific Institution (HLSI) in Highgate Village.
The fair’s focus is to feature and support the UK’s brightest and best designer/ maker talent.
As ever we have a wonderful, award winning line up, featuring artists and makers creating and selling work in all disciplines and price range.
Handmade In Highgate is open:
Friday 22 March: 5pm – 8pm
Saturday 23 March: 10am – 6pm


The President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Anthony Connolly along with two fellow members, Toby Wiggins and Andrew James, will be curating a unique exhibition that goes to the heart of their reasons for making their work. Sixty new and unseen paintings, drawings and sculptures will form a dynamic dialogue that explores overlapping themes including personal memories, history, landscape, religion and a shared belief in the need for authenticity of spirit to be at the heart of the creative process.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays 11:00-16:00, Sundays 11:00-17:00,
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Private View: Friday 12 April 2024 18:00-20:30

The President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Anthony Connolly along with two fellow members, Toby Wiggins and Andrew James, will be curating a unique exhibition that goes to the heart of their reasons for making their work. Sixty new and unseen paintings, drawings and sculptures will form a dynamic dialogue that explores overlapping themes including personal memories, history, landscape, religion and a shared belief in the need for authenticity of spirit to be at the heart of the creative process.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays 11:00-16:00, Sundays 11:00-17:00,
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Private View: Friday 12 April 2024 18:00-20:30

The President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Anthony Connolly along with two fellow members, Toby Wiggins and Andrew James, will be curating a unique exhibition that goes to the heart of their reasons for making their work. Sixty new and unseen paintings, drawings and sculptures will form a dynamic dialogue that explores overlapping themes including personal memories, history, landscape, religion and a shared belief in the need for authenticity of spirit to be at the heart of the creative process.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays 11:00-16:00, Sundays 11:00-17:00,
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Private View: Friday 12 April 2024 18:00-20:30

The President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Anthony Connolly along with two fellow members, Toby Wiggins and Andrew James, will be curating a unique exhibition that goes to the heart of their reasons for making their work. Sixty new and unseen paintings, drawings and sculptures will form a dynamic dialogue that explores overlapping themes including personal memories, history, landscape, religion and a shared belief in the need for authenticity of spirit to be at the heart of the creative process.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays 11:00-16:00, Sundays 11:00-17:00,
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Private View: Friday 12 April 2024 18:00-20:30

The President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Anthony Connolly along with two fellow members, Toby Wiggins and Andrew James, will be curating a unique exhibition that goes to the heart of their reasons for making their work. Sixty new and unseen paintings, drawings and sculptures will form a dynamic dialogue that explores overlapping themes including personal memories, history, landscape, religion and a shared belief in the need for authenticity of spirit to be at the heart of the creative process.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays 11:00-16:00, Sundays 11:00-17:00,
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Private View: Friday 12 April 2024 18:00-20:30

The President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Anthony Connolly along with two fellow members, Toby Wiggins and Andrew James, will be curating a unique exhibition that goes to the heart of their reasons for making their work. Sixty new and unseen paintings, drawings and sculptures will form a dynamic dialogue that explores overlapping themes including personal memories, history, landscape, religion and a shared belief in the need for authenticity of spirit to be at the heart of the creative process.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays 11:00-16:00, Sundays 11:00-17:00,
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Private View: Friday 12 April 2024 18:00-20:30

The President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Anthony Connolly along with two fellow members, Toby Wiggins and Andrew James, will be curating a unique exhibition that goes to the heart of their reasons for making their work. Sixty new and unseen paintings, drawings and sculptures will form a dynamic dialogue that explores overlapping themes including personal memories, history, landscape, religion and a shared belief in the need for authenticity of spirit to be at the heart of the creative process.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays 11:00-16:00, Sundays 11:00-17:00,
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Private View: Friday 12 April 2024 18:00-20:30

The President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Anthony Connolly along with two fellow members, Toby Wiggins and Andrew James, will be curating a unique exhibition that goes to the heart of their reasons for making their work. Sixty new and unseen paintings, drawings and sculptures will form a dynamic dialogue that explores overlapping themes including personal memories, history, landscape, religion and a shared belief in the need for authenticity of spirit to be at the heart of the creative process.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays 11:00-16:00, Sundays 11:00-17:00,
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Private View: Friday 12 April 2024 18:00-20:30

The President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Anthony Connolly along with two fellow members, Toby Wiggins and Andrew James, will be curating a unique exhibition that goes to the heart of their reasons for making their work. Sixty new and unseen paintings, drawings and sculptures will form a dynamic dialogue that explores overlapping themes including personal memories, history, landscape, religion and a shared belief in the need for authenticity of spirit to be at the heart of the creative process.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays 11:00-16:00, Sundays 11:00-17:00,
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Private View: Friday 12 April 2024 18:00-20:30

The President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Anthony Connolly along with two fellow members, Toby Wiggins and Andrew James, will be curating a unique exhibition that goes to the heart of their reasons for making their work. Sixty new and unseen paintings, drawings and sculptures will form a dynamic dialogue that explores overlapping themes including personal memories, history, landscape, religion and a shared belief in the need for authenticity of spirit to be at the heart of the creative process.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays 11:00-16:00, Sundays 11:00-17:00,
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Private View: Friday 12 April 2024 18:00-20:30
The Annual Merry Mug Quiz
Tuesday 30th April 2024 7.30 for 8.00 pm HLSI, 11 South Grove N6 6BS The Highgate Society takes on the Highgate Literary & Scientific Institution in the annual general knowledge challenge. No need to book or form a team. Just come along and join a table. (Highgate Society and HLSI members only.)
Bodenpress: A Walk With Laurie
Laurie Lee’s vivid description of people and space is the inspiration for the sixth literary themed exhibition from Bodenpress. Twelve artists interpret Lee’s written word through diverse printmaking techniques, both traditional and modern. The artists will be available throughout the show to discuss their work and promote the practice of printmaking to a wider audience.

Highgate Gallery opening times:
Wednesday – Fridays: 13.00- 17.00
Saturday: 11.00 – 16.00
Sunday: 11.00 – 17.00
Bodenpress: A Walk With Laurie
Laurie Lee’s vivid description of people and space is the inspiration for the sixth literary themed exhibition from Bodenpress. Twelve artists interpret Lee’s written word through diverse printmaking techniques, both traditional and modern. The artists will be available throughout the show to discuss their work and promote the practice of printmaking to a wider audience.

Highgate Gallery opening times:
Wednesday – Fridays: 13.00- 17.00
Saturday: 11.00 – 16.00
Sunday: 11.00 – 17.00
Bodenpress: A Walk With Laurie
Laurie Lee’s vivid description of people and space is the inspiration for the sixth literary themed exhibition from Bodenpress. Twelve artists interpret Lee’s written word through diverse printmaking techniques, both traditional and modern. The artists will be available throughout the show to discuss their work and promote the practice of printmaking to a wider audience.

Highgate Gallery opening times:
Wednesday – Fridays: 13.00- 17.00
Saturday: 11.00 – 16.00
Sunday: 11.00 – 17.00
Bodenpress: A Walk With Laurie
Laurie Lee’s vivid description of people and space is the inspiration for the sixth literary themed exhibition from Bodenpress. Twelve artists interpret Lee’s written word through diverse printmaking techniques, both traditional and modern. The artists will be available throughout the show to discuss their work and promote the practice of printmaking to a wider audience.

Highgate Gallery opening times:
Wednesday – Fridays: 13.00- 17.00
Saturday: 11.00 – 16.00
Sunday: 11.00 – 17.00
Bodenpress: A Walk With Laurie
Laurie Lee’s vivid description of people and space is the inspiration for the sixth literary themed exhibition from Bodenpress. Twelve artists interpret Lee’s written word through diverse printmaking techniques, both traditional and modern. The artists will be available throughout the show to discuss their work and promote the practice of printmaking to a wider audience.

Highgate Gallery opening times:
Wednesday – Fridays: 13.00- 17.00
Saturday: 11.00 – 16.00
Sunday: 11.00 – 17.00
Bodenpress: A Walk With Laurie
Laurie Lee’s vivid description of people and space is the inspiration for the sixth literary themed exhibition from Bodenpress. Twelve artists interpret Lee’s written word through diverse printmaking techniques, both traditional and modern. The artists will be available throughout the show to discuss their work and promote the practice of printmaking to a wider audience.

Highgate Gallery opening times:
Wednesday – Fridays: 13.00- 17.00
Saturday: 11.00 – 16.00
Sunday: 11.00 – 17.00
Boden Press exhibition A Walk With Laurie is a collection of works inspired by his classic book As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning.
Jonathan Byrd is a guitarist specialising in classical and Spanish styles. He will be installed in the gallery to perform a bespoke piece inspired by the paintings on show.
Bodenpress: A Walk With Laurie
Laurie Lee’s vivid description of people and space is the inspiration for the sixth literary themed exhibition from Bodenpress. Twelve artists interpret Lee’s written word through diverse printmaking techniques, both traditional and modern. The artists will be available throughout the show to discuss their work and promote the practice of printmaking to a wider audience.

Highgate Gallery opening times:
Wednesday – Fridays: 13.00- 17.00
Saturday: 11.00 – 16.00
Sunday: 11.00 – 17.00
Bodenpress: A Walk With Laurie
Laurie Lee’s vivid description of people and space is the inspiration for the sixth literary themed exhibition from Bodenpress. Twelve artists interpret Lee’s written word through diverse printmaking techniques, both traditional and modern. The artists will be available throughout the show to discuss their work and promote the practice of printmaking to a wider audience.

Highgate Gallery opening times:
Wednesday – Fridays: 13.00- 17.00
Saturday: 11.00 – 16.00
Sunday: 11.00 – 17.00
Bodenpress: A Walk With Laurie
Laurie Lee’s vivid description of people and space is the inspiration for the sixth literary themed exhibition from Bodenpress. Twelve artists interpret Lee’s written word through diverse printmaking techniques, both traditional and modern. The artists will be available throughout the show to discuss their work and promote the practice of printmaking to a wider audience.

Highgate Gallery opening times:
Wednesday – Fridays: 13.00- 17.00
Saturday: 11.00 – 16.00
Sunday: 11.00 – 17.00
Bodenpress: A Walk With Laurie
Laurie Lee’s vivid description of people and space is the inspiration for the sixth literary themed exhibition from Bodenpress. Twelve artists interpret Lee’s written word through diverse printmaking techniques, both traditional and modern. The artists will be available throughout the show to discuss their work and promote the practice of printmaking to a wider audience.

Highgate Gallery opening times:
Wednesday – Fridays: 13.00- 17.00
Saturday: 11.00 – 16.00
Sunday: 11.00 – 17.00
Wood engraver’s debut solo exhibition contemplates historic Oxford and Highgate bathing places.
The North Wall Arts Centre and Highgate Gallery announce the forthcoming exhibition Parson’s Pleasure and the Ponds – the debut solo show of printmaker Duncan Montgomery. Travelling between Oxford and Highgate, the exhibition presents a new series of wood engravings alongside a background of historical materials curated by cultural historian George Townsend.
Montgomery’s figures and riverscapes draw on classical statuary, found photography, and in situ life modelling, to create atmospheres of quiet and disquiet, lost and in-between time. Textures of muscle, skin and hair emerge amid corrugated metal, polished marble and crumbling brick, wind-moved leaves and the wavering image-within-an-image of open water.
Recovering a visual history of freshwater bathing in the UK, the exhibition incorporates historical text and images to reflect especially on: Parson’s Pleasure, an Oxford river bathing place demolished in 1992 and the focus of Townsend’s 2022 PHD; and the ponds used for bathing on Hampstead Heath over the past several centuries and still in use today.
The North Wall Arts Centre is an award-winning theatre and gallery in Summertown, Oxford, built on the site of a Victorian swimming pool. The Highgate Gallery is a part of the Highgate Literary & Scientific Institution, which has been promoting discussion, debate and life-long learning since 1839.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays 11:00-16:00, Sundays 11:00-17:00,
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Wood engraver’s debut solo exhibition contemplates historic Oxford and Highgate bathing places.
The North Wall Arts Centre and Highgate Gallery announce the forthcoming exhibition Parson’s Pleasure and the Ponds – the debut solo show of printmaker Duncan Montgomery. Travelling between Oxford and Highgate, the exhibition presents a new series of wood engravings alongside a background of historical materials curated by cultural historian George Townsend.
Montgomery’s figures and riverscapes draw on classical statuary, found photography, and in situ life modelling, to create atmospheres of quiet and disquiet, lost and in-between time. Textures of muscle, skin and hair emerge amid corrugated metal, polished marble and crumbling brick, wind-moved leaves and the wavering image-within-an-image of open water.
Recovering a visual history of freshwater bathing in the UK, the exhibition incorporates historical text and images to reflect especially on: Parson’s Pleasure, an Oxford river bathing place demolished in 1992 and the focus of Townsend’s 2022 PHD; and the ponds used for bathing on Hampstead Heath over the past several centuries and still in use today.
The North Wall Arts Centre is an award-winning theatre and gallery in Summertown, Oxford, built on the site of a Victorian swimming pool. The Highgate Gallery is a part of the Highgate Literary & Scientific Institution, which has been promoting discussion, debate and life-long learning since 1839.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays 11:00-16:00, Sundays 11:00-17:00,
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Wood engraver’s debut solo exhibition contemplates historic Oxford and Highgate bathing places.
The North Wall Arts Centre and Highgate Gallery announce the forthcoming exhibition Parson’s Pleasure and the Ponds – the debut solo show of printmaker Duncan Montgomery. Travelling between Oxford and Highgate, the exhibition presents a new series of wood engravings alongside a background of historical materials curated by cultural historian George Townsend.
Montgomery’s figures and riverscapes draw on classical statuary, found photography, and in situ life modelling, to create atmospheres of quiet and disquiet, lost and in-between time. Textures of muscle, skin and hair emerge amid corrugated metal, polished marble and crumbling brick, wind-moved leaves and the wavering image-within-an-image of open water.
Recovering a visual history of freshwater bathing in the UK, the exhibition incorporates historical text and images to reflect especially on: Parson’s Pleasure, an Oxford river bathing place demolished in 1992 and the focus of Townsend’s 2022 PHD; and the ponds used for bathing on Hampstead Heath over the past several centuries and still in use today.
The North Wall Arts Centre is an award-winning theatre and gallery in Summertown, Oxford, built on the site of a Victorian swimming pool. The Highgate Gallery is a part of the Highgate Literary & Scientific Institution, which has been promoting discussion, debate and life-long learning since 1839.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays 11:00-16:00, Sundays 11:00-17:00,
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Wood engraver’s debut solo exhibition contemplates historic Oxford and Highgate bathing places.
The North Wall Arts Centre and Highgate Gallery announce the forthcoming exhibition Parson’s Pleasure and the Ponds – the debut solo show of printmaker Duncan Montgomery. Travelling between Oxford and Highgate, the exhibition presents a new series of wood engravings alongside a background of historical materials curated by cultural historian George Townsend.
Montgomery’s figures and riverscapes draw on classical statuary, found photography, and in situ life modelling, to create atmospheres of quiet and disquiet, lost and in-between time. Textures of muscle, skin and hair emerge amid corrugated metal, polished marble and crumbling brick, wind-moved leaves and the wavering image-within-an-image of open water.
Recovering a visual history of freshwater bathing in the UK, the exhibition incorporates historical text and images to reflect especially on: Parson’s Pleasure, an Oxford river bathing place demolished in 1992 and the focus of Townsend’s 2022 PHD; and the ponds used for bathing on Hampstead Heath over the past several centuries and still in use today.
The North Wall Arts Centre is an award-winning theatre and gallery in Summertown, Oxford, built on the site of a Victorian swimming pool. The Highgate Gallery is a part of the Highgate Literary & Scientific Institution, which has been promoting discussion, debate and life-long learning since 1839.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays 11:00-16:00, Sundays 11:00-17:00,
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Wood engraver’s debut solo exhibition contemplates historic Oxford and Highgate bathing places.
The North Wall Arts Centre and Highgate Gallery announce the forthcoming exhibition Parson’s Pleasure and the Ponds – the debut solo show of printmaker Duncan Montgomery. Travelling between Oxford and Highgate, the exhibition presents a new series of wood engravings alongside a background of historical materials curated by cultural historian George Townsend.
Montgomery’s figures and riverscapes draw on classical statuary, found photography, and in situ life modelling, to create atmospheres of quiet and disquiet, lost and in-between time. Textures of muscle, skin and hair emerge amid corrugated metal, polished marble and crumbling brick, wind-moved leaves and the wavering image-within-an-image of open water.
Recovering a visual history of freshwater bathing in the UK, the exhibition incorporates historical text and images to reflect especially on: Parson’s Pleasure, an Oxford river bathing place demolished in 1992 and the focus of Townsend’s 2022 PHD; and the ponds used for bathing on Hampstead Heath over the past several centuries and still in use today.
The North Wall Arts Centre is an award-winning theatre and gallery in Summertown, Oxford, built on the site of a Victorian swimming pool. The Highgate Gallery is a part of the Highgate Literary & Scientific Institution, which has been promoting discussion, debate and life-long learning since 1839.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays 11:00-16:00, Sundays 11:00-17:00,
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Wood engraver’s debut solo exhibition contemplates historic Oxford and Highgate bathing places.
The North Wall Arts Centre and Highgate Gallery announce the forthcoming exhibition Parson’s Pleasure and the Ponds – the debut solo show of printmaker Duncan Montgomery. Travelling between Oxford and Highgate, the exhibition presents a new series of wood engravings alongside a background of historical materials curated by cultural historian George Townsend.
Montgomery’s figures and riverscapes draw on classical statuary, found photography, and in situ life modelling, to create atmospheres of quiet and disquiet, lost and in-between time. Textures of muscle, skin and hair emerge amid corrugated metal, polished marble and crumbling brick, wind-moved leaves and the wavering image-within-an-image of open water.
Recovering a visual history of freshwater bathing in the UK, the exhibition incorporates historical text and images to reflect especially on: Parson’s Pleasure, an Oxford river bathing place demolished in 1992 and the focus of Townsend’s 2022 PHD; and the ponds used for bathing on Hampstead Heath over the past several centuries and still in use today.
The North Wall Arts Centre is an award-winning theatre and gallery in Summertown, Oxford, built on the site of a Victorian swimming pool. The Highgate Gallery is a part of the Highgate Literary & Scientific Institution, which has been promoting discussion, debate and life-long learning since 1839.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays 11:00-16:00, Sundays 11:00-17:00,
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Wood engraver’s debut solo exhibition contemplates historic Oxford and Highgate bathing places.
The North Wall Arts Centre and Highgate Gallery announce the forthcoming exhibition Parson’s Pleasure and the Ponds – the debut solo show of printmaker Duncan Montgomery. Travelling between Oxford and Highgate, the exhibition presents a new series of wood engravings alongside a background of historical materials curated by cultural historian George Townsend.
Montgomery’s figures and riverscapes draw on classical statuary, found photography, and in situ life modelling, to create atmospheres of quiet and disquiet, lost and in-between time. Textures of muscle, skin and hair emerge amid corrugated metal, polished marble and crumbling brick, wind-moved leaves and the wavering image-within-an-image of open water.
Recovering a visual history of freshwater bathing in the UK, the exhibition incorporates historical text and images to reflect especially on: Parson’s Pleasure, an Oxford river bathing place demolished in 1992 and the focus of Townsend’s 2022 PHD; and the ponds used for bathing on Hampstead Heath over the past several centuries and still in use today.
The North Wall Arts Centre is an award-winning theatre and gallery in Summertown, Oxford, built on the site of a Victorian swimming pool. The Highgate Gallery is a part of the Highgate Literary & Scientific Institution, which has been promoting discussion, debate and life-long learning since 1839.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays 11:00-16:00, Sundays 11:00-17:00,
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed