From The Brancaster Village Hall Archive:

Artists in residence at Brancaster Village Hall

Art in all its forms has always played a pivotal role in every civilisation throughout history. Artistic expression is in the DNA of all humans, whether as creators or viewers. The role art has played across the ages is wonderfully described and illustrated in Kenneth Clark’s book “Civilisation”, which was also a hugely popular TV series.

Art is invariably a matter of personal taste, and so my examples are those things that I have found moving or poignant; others would be able to give equally acceptable alternatives. To illustrate the role art has played, I would point to the cave paintings found in Europe undertaken in the earliest period of mankind, or the funeral mask of Tutankhamen from 3500 years ago. In more modern times I would cite the works of Caravaggio as the pinnacle of renaissance artistic expression, and later, Turner’s thought-provoking “The Fighting Temeraire” or “Guernica” by Picasso. Art can also be expressed through building design and structure; most of the world contains examples that have tested the very limits of human achievement, for example, pyramids, the Great Wall of China, temples of the Far East and South America, cathedrals and palaces. I have not ventured here into the spheres of sculpture and ceramics, nor literature, poetry or music.

Art continues to flourish today, although some works can be challenging to the lay or casual viewer. Artists over the last 150 years have experimented continuously with colour, form, perspective, hues and taste. The Pre-Raphaelite movement of the 19^th century, which stresses the rediscovery of classical forms of expression, was replaced as the century progresses by the Impressionists and the Cubists, to name just two of the movements over the 20^th/21^st centuries.

In this part of Norfolk art has flourished, with many artists resident in the area, including several in the Brancasters. Artists are drawn here by the rich environment of the coast and the amazing wildlife, particularly birds and butterflies.

Here at BVH, we have been fortunate in attracted two working artists who have set up a studio, “Artists in Residence”, for the summer and autumn; they originally came for a month in July, but such has been their success, that they decided to stay for a year. The two artists are Lillian and AJ and complement each other perfectly. Lillian, originally from Norway, has been in the country since 1988, and has been painting for twelve years. AJ has recently graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine art from Winchester School of Art.

AJ’s interest in art has been lifelong since he was old enough to pick up and use a crayon. He has reached a stage where his curiosity in artistic mediums leads to constant learning and a wish to explore mosaics and pyrography. Since coming to Norfolk AJ’s interest in wildlife has grown, stimulated by the landscape and the birdlife to be found at the reserves of Titchwell and Snettisham. He has been greatly helped by his father, who is an avid photographer at the reserves – contributing images that AJ can use in his work.

Lillian’s journey to art has been very different and undoubtedly influenced by the magnificent scenery and wildlife of her native Norway. She is constantly stimulated by the world around and the way in which her imagination interacts with it. This leads on to her interest in using natural materials to express her art, including items that are regularly recycled. Lillian has been painting for a number of years in order to give expression to what she sees around her and what she feels.

The two artists produce a wide variety of works in an equally diverse range of mediums. They are particularly keen on using natural or recycled materials and besides working in paint, also produce works using such things as wood, grass, corn and pebbles. Their art has a strong ethical foundation, dealing with both representational and abstract subjects.

Like many artists in North Norfolk, Lillian and AJ were attracted by the region’s landscape and wildlife and have an intimate knowledge of both. They are keen to work with other artists in exhibitions, pop-up shops and workshops, and have made contacts with local craftspeople to further their skills. They have been very much encouraged and supported by the artistic community in North Norfolk, and cannot praise the said support, as well as that from the local community, highly enough.

Since setting up the “Artists in Residence” workshop, AJ and Lillian have been overwhelmed by the support of the local community, as well as that of holidaymakers and second homers; they have also enjoyed strong support from the staff at the shop/Post Office and Bar 71. Sales have been very good throughout the summer, although AJ and Lillian recognise that winter is a quiet period in most Norfolk coastal villages.

One of the areas that Lillian and AJ are developing is that relating to local crafts which are fast disappearing from the locality. A key craft is one connected to the fishing industry, that of the manufacture and maintenance of the various nets, whelk, lobster and crab pots and creels. They have made connections with fishing families at the Staithe and will be working with them to recreate and ensure the continuation of some of the skills involved.

BVH has been very fortunate to attract this residency: the range of artworks produced are demonstrated in the pictures that accompany this article. These show that AJ and Lillian are extremely versatile in the works they produce and the styles of expression and materials they use and explore; AJ in particular is very happy to accept commissions for particular types of work. Do come along to the Studio, which is open all week, to meet AJ and Lillian and to view the works on show: believe me, it will be a most enjoyable and interesting experience.

Lillian and AJ are keen to receive donations of unwanted material, particularly wood or wool, but also other useful material which would otherwise add to society’s waste. The pictures show AJ and Lillian at work in the studio and some of the many works that are on display.