Join us for a walk-through of the current Goldmark sponsored exhibition at the Fry Art Gallery, A Singular Obsession – Celebrating the Centenary of Michael Ayrton, with Dr. Justine Hopkins. Hopkins is a writer and freelance lecturer in Art History, and also the step-granddaughter of the sculptor and painter Michael Ayrton.
Exhibition dates: 29th May – 31st October 2021
Michael Ayrton (1921 – 1975) was a precocious, individual, productive and passionate artist, whose oeuvre spanned painting, sculpture, drawing, illustration and theatre design. An outspoken intellect, critic, author, consummate communicator and bon viveur, Ayrton lived in the North West Essex village of Toppesfield for over 20 years until his early death.
Housed in The Fry Art Gallery Too, this exhibition focuses on his sculptural output between 1953 and 1974, comprising 12 bronzes, generously loaned by his estate, together with the holding of the North-West Essex Collection at The Fry Art Gallery Saffron Walden. Works in other media and extensive archive material complete a timely assessment of an artist who undoubtedly ranks amongst the finest English painters and sculptors of the mid-20th century.
Dr Justine Hopkins has worked freelance as an Art History lecturer and writer: for Bristol, London, Oxford and Cambridge Universities; Tate Britain and Tate Modern, the National and National Portrait Galleries; the Victoria and Albert Museum; Sotheby’s, Christies’ and assorted independent institutions. She is also a registered lecturer for NADFAS.
Hopkins is the step-granddaughter of the sculptor and painter Michael Ayrton, and the main point of contact for all matters connected with his work.
