Exhibitions at Brantwood

Frances Hatch: Drawn to Antarctica 2005-2012

For as long as Frances Hatch can remember Antarctica has held a great significance for her. The decision to make her first trip there was prompted by the approach of her 50th birthday:  ‘There is nothing like a birthday marking a half a century to prompt action so that dreams don’t become regrets later on’.

The long anticipated trip only lasted a fortnight and yet years on she is still pondering the significance of what she witnessed. This exhibition is selected from work made on that two week visit along with some of the subsequent studio works prompted by it. Gathered in the exhibition are notes from sketchbooks, photographic records, paintings and drawings. Her thoughts, insights and discoveries are distilled in the pages of ` Drawn to Antarctica`, her delightful book which accompanies this show.

Frances works as an artist and lecturer. She exhibits widely and is well known for her infectious enthusiasm for her subject. She is a Senior tutor at West Dean College in West Sussex. She trained at Aberystwyth University College of Wales, Goldsmiths’ College and Wimbledon School of Art, London.

It was when I was approaching my 50th birthday that I felt a real sense of urgency to realise dreams- so they don’t become regrets. One of my aspirations was to glimpse Antarctica - that sublimely beautiful and vast wilderness which had been hovering at the edge of my consciousness for as long as I can remember. It appeared to me to be the crucible containing the ingredients of all that I have ever wanted to explore as an artist. I set about getting myself there in 2005.

Frances has always worked with landscape and in the landscape, attending to the appearance of place and the nature of her emotional connection with it. Over the years she has been drawn to spend time in `unpeopled` spaces such as Scotland, Iceland, Finland and Norway. By using water based media her materials are very responsive to precipitation and temperature. Her exhibition has artworks with ice crystals recorded in the paint along with grit and volcanic mud….what you will not find are flies and bits of grass!

Frances Hatch is at Brantwood on 21st April to give an evening talk about her experiences. The event starts at 7pm, tickets cost £5 and includes a glass of wine on arrival. Pre-booking is recommended.

Exhibition opening Times:

10.30am to 5.00pm, daily

Admission is included in the house & garden ticket.

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