Lecture Programme 2011-2012

Wed 7th March at 2pm

Linda Smith

Linda Smith holds two first class degrees in Art History. She is an experienced lecturer and guide at Tate Britain, Tate Modern and the Dulwich Picture Gallery. She lectures to Secondary School audiences and Independent Arts Societies. Linda led an outstanding Special Interest day on 20th Century Sculpture at Lytham Hall in April 2010 – our first at Fylde DFAS. We are very exciting about welcoming her back.

This lecture looks at English painting during the so-called “Long Sixteenth Century” ie the tumultuous reigns of the five Tudor monarchs. Significant artistic developments were made during the period, largely by talented immigrants such as Hans Holbein and Marcus Gheeraerts. Important works by these and other artists will be examined ,paying particular attention to the enigmatic and elaborate symbolism. Portraiture dominated the period, and images of the great monarchs and personalities of the age are compared and contrasted in terms of the functions they were intended to fulfil. Other genres like religious subjects and the early beginnings of landscape painting are also featured. The talk ties the works firmly to their political, social and personal context, and will also address the intriguing issue of why the degree of naturalism used in painting varied widely during the period.

Wed 4th April at 2pm

Ben Roberts

Ben Roberts is Curator of Early Prehistory at the British Museum and a graduate of Sheffield and Cambridge Universities. He has published and lectured widely on Prehistoric Europe. Ben researched and co-wrote the first 40 programmes on the BBC Radio 4 hugely popular series ‘A History of the World in 100 Objects’.

When was the earliest art? What did it mean? The discoveries of cavepaintings as well as sculpted bone and stone figures in the 19th century stimulated ferocious debates. How could our stone age barbaric ancestors have produced such visually stunning creations? This talk will show how the investigation of early art re-shaped the very understandings of human origins.

Wed 2nd May 2012 at 2pm

Rt Revd Christopher Herbert

The Right Reverend Christopher Herbert Has lectured at the National Gallery, the Courtauld Institute, King’s College, London, Westminster Abbey, and the University of Rikkyo in Japan, and at churches and cathedrals throughout England and in Italy. He was, until recently Bishop of St Albans and a member of the House of Lords. He has an MPhil and PhD in Art History from the University of Leicester. Has also been awarded two honorary doctorates and is an honorary citizen of Fano, Italy.

The mosaics of Ravenna were created during great political turmoil. In the fifth and sixth centuries, invaders played havoc with the western Roman Empire. In spite of this, artists and church leaders created churches of astonishing beauty.

This lecture looks at Galla Placidia, San Vitale and the Orthodox Baptistry

Wed 6th June 2012 at 2pm

Rebecca Hossack

Rebecca Hossack studied at Christie’s and won a scholarship to work at the Guggenheim Museum in Venice. Between 1993 and 1998, in partnership with Rio Tinto, Rebecca established the St James’s Sculpture Garden, where she showcased work by such internationally acclaimed artists as Chris Drury and George Wyllie. She then opened her eponymous and internationally renowned art gallery, based in London, and is credited with introducing Aboriginal art to the UK. The gallery shows work by contemporary British and Australian artists, as well as by indigenous artists from Australia and other non Western countries.

This lecture traces the gensis of Aboriginal Art including a discussion of the meaning of Dreamtime – the Creation of the Aboriginal universe, and the system of law which has informed the basis of the painting movement. She discusses how this – the oldest continuous artistic tradition in the world – has been revitalised by the use of a modern medium, beginning with the visit of a young school teacher to a remote outback community. From there the painting movement spread – like wild fire – across the desert, bringing some of the greates art of the 20th Century to the world’s attention.

She shows examples of paintings from different Aboriginal cultures and explains the meaning and how to read the symbols and signs as well as talking about the Aboriginal peoples’ deep reverence for the land and all that comes from it.

Website

http://www.r-h-g.co.uk/

Wed 4th July 2012 at 2pm

Dr Ann Birchall

Ann Birchall, BA (Hons) (W F Masom Scholar) Classics and PhD Archaeology, London University is an archaeologist (land & underwater) of international reputation and formerly Assistant Keeper at the British Museum. She has extensive lecture experience at home and abroad, including China.  In 1978 she was guest speaker at the Woman of the Year Luncheon. Ann is a writer and broadcaster on radio and television

This lecture traces the origin and early development of the Games which began traditionally iin 776 BC at ancient Olympian Greece. There are marked similarities to, but also some surprising differences from the modern series introduced in 1896. Lavishly illustrated by classical art – fine paiinted vases, and sculpture in clay, bronze and marble, the lecture will mark the next Olympics in London in 2012.

Lancashire libraries have some excellent resources available for art lovers. Did you know that you can register for a pin number at Lancashire libraries then order books on your computer from home?

Click to find out how to register for a pin number with Lancashire Library Service.

This is a great way of supplementing your knowledge about the subject matter of our lectures. You will receive notification through the post when your books have arrived or you can sign up to Library Elf and receive e mail updates.

Once you have obtained your pin number use it to search for and order books online.

Your Library membership gives you access to a wealth of online resources such as Grove/Oxford Art Online. Click on this link and enter your library membership number to view high quality images and information about art and artists.