Event: Local artist helps others walk and sketch in Turner’s footsteps around Malmesbury
Walking in Turner’s Footsteps – Local artist Anne Hayhoe will lead a free workshop and walk this coming weekend. The walk will focus on the time that famous landscape artist, JM Turner, spent in Malmesbury.
‘In the Footsteps of Turner’ steps our with a talk at the Athelstan Museum in front of the artist’s painting of Malmesbury’s Abbey. Anne will then lead the participants on a walk around the Abbey, stopping at places recorded as being where Turner made his exploratory sketches.
At the abbey
While visiting the Abbey, participants will get encouragement to make their own sketches using their own materials. Finally, participants will have the chance to study those sketches and discuss contemporary artworks to create, using them.
The event is free but do book in advance with the museum. It will start at 10 am with an estimated 1 pm finish.
It’s wonderful for the people of this rural community to have free access to an original watercolour of Malmesbury Abbey by renowned British artist JMW Turner’ said Anne. This event will inspire participants to use the materials available today to create their new images of the Abbey as we experience it, in the 21st Century.’
JM Turner’s painting of Malmesbury Abbey, completed in 1827, is one of the highlights of the Athelstan Museum collection. The artist visited the town three times and made several sketches of the abbey. From those, he later painted the watercolour that went on to form part of his celebrated collection ‘Picturesque Views in England and Wales’ (1825-38). It’s believed to be the only finished watercolour of that particular aspect of Malmesbury Abbey.
There’s so much to learn from studying an original painting. Turner was a highly-skilled painter yes. But he also was an an innovater who became available and adept at pushing his work beyond the boundaries of conventional watercolour painting at that time.’
It’s believed the artist first sketched the Abbey aged 16. But the watercolour that now takes pride of place in the Athelstan Museum he completed thirty years later.
Although now living in Pewsey, Anne has strong links to the town. Educated at Malmesbury Grammar School, she returned to practice art about ten years ago. Having studied fine art at Trowbridge College and Oxford Brookes, she now works across a wide range of media. That includes painting, drawing, textiles, artist’s books, and writes poetry.
For those who miss out on the June event, she’ll repeat the workshop on August 13th. Once again, the event will be free but participants will need to book in advance with the museum.
For more information visit: https://www.athelstanmuseum.org.uk
Marlborough open studios
Anne will also be opening her Pewsey home in July as part of the Marlborough Open Studios.
See https://www.marlboroughopenstudios.co.uk/ for details.
