Small but deadly - Lautrec at the Courtauld

A summer gem glinting in the London galleries this season is the excellent Toulouse-Lautrec / Jane Avril exhibition at the Courtauld...

This small top-floor show (tip - pack extra oxygen and wear flats, or prepare to join a long queue for the lift!) focuses on the painter's works featuring Moulin Rouge muse, dancer Avril - notorious for her skeletal frame and erratic bird-like movements.

Of Lautrec, Avril said "Without a doubt I owed him the fame I enjoyed from that very first moment his poster of me appeared."

Lautrec's intense, studied and vibrant works absorb the viewer into the skewed, bohemian world of 1890's Paris.

The exhibition includes sketches and studies for some of Lautrec's most famous paintings and poster-works, giving an insight into his creative energy and composition process.

A major highlight is his iconic 'At the Moulin Rouge' group portrait - on special loan from the Art Institute of Chicago - a dynamically composed homage to the major players in his Montmartre circle.

Speaking of Lautrec's unique rapport with his female models, which shines through in these works, Avril commented "They were his friends as well as his models. He in turn had an uplifting effect on them. In his presence they were just women, and he treated them as equals. When he ate with them, often bringing a party of friends, they held their knives and forks daintily, restrained their conversation, had the feeling of being women of some standing. Lautrec's almost womanly intuition and sympathy shone like a light for them."

There is also a portrait of Avril dancing made by her eventual painter husband Maurice Biais. This offers a fascinating contrast in view of this otherwise familiar subject - a rare and somehow strangely inauthentic glimpse of Avril smiling.

Many historical documents accompany the exhibition (including photographs, playbills and letters) which follow Avril from the genesis of her erratic style - discovered whilst incarcerated in a mental hospital, at the bizarrely conceived 'Madwoman's Ball' - through her rise to fame at the Moulin and subsequent London tour.

To read more about the exhibition click here. To read more about the life of Jane Avril click here.

The show runs until 18 September 2011. Entry: £6 (£4.50 concessions) but admission is FREE on Mondays 10am-2pm.

Behind the Scenes at Sheringham

Thank you to all the Gallery clients who joined us on Monday to celebrate the launch of our brand new art space at Sheringham Little Theatre.

Guests first enjoyed drinks in our new Gallery space before taking a VIP backstage tour with theatre Director Debbie Thompson.

Tour highlights included the hi-tech wizardry (and incredibly tidy cables!) of the lighting booth.

This was followed by an actors-eye-view walk through the set to the dressing rooms for a backstage meet-and-greet with rep stars of the theatre's current production 'Last of the Red Hot Lovers'.

We were then treated to a special performance of the play.

A great evening was had by all, so thanks for coming along and making the event such a success!

To make sure that you receive a personal invitation for our future events, register for our mailing list HERE.

Beanlands Abound

This month Hatfield Hines pays special tribute to the landscape talents of British abstract artist Frank Beanland.

A selection of new works can be viewed at our main Gallery in Holt as well as much larger works on display at our 'coastal satellite' at the Sheringham Little Theatre.

To celebrate the launch of our new show, we've also created a special new exhibition catalogue which can be viewed as an online flipbook by clicking the arrows on the image above.

To access fullscreen option, hover your pointer over a page, wait for the fullscreen tab to appear, then click.

The Art of 'Come Dine With Me' - Norwich!

Addicts of hit Channel 4 reality show 'Come Dine With Me' might have noticed a few empty picture hooks over recent mantlepieces...

If you've ever been intrigued by this 'missing picture' phenomenon, Hatfield Hines can now reveal the reason...

Before shooting, the production team have to research and contact the copyright holder of all artworks which are likely to be shown in the programme to obtain explicit permission for them to appear. Without this, the artworks must be removed from view.

How do we know this..? Hatfield Hines can also exclusively reveal that 'Come Dine With Me' are shooting in Norwich next week, at the home of a Henry Holzer collector, hence we've been contacted on this very issue!

To learn more about Henry Holzer, see our artist profile.

To try out some of Come Dine With Me's magic/tragic recipes for yourself, see their website here.

Hatfield Hines goes Coastal at Sheringham...

This month Hatfield Hines goes coastal with a brand new show opening at the Sheringham Little Theatre...

Get ready for drama with a selection of major new panoramic pieces during June - making the most of the size and scope our brand new coastal art space!

Norfolk poised to catch Royal Wedding Fever!

Whether you are mad-keen to waggle a flag at the TV this coming Friday, or you're planning to carry on regardless you'll be hard pressed (it not potholing) not to catch Wills & Kate fever in Norfolk - with more than 80 celebratory events planned!

These range from Prince and Princess dress-up parades to 'knees-up' street parties to Punch and Judy shows (that's the way to 'I do it'!) to an elegant celebratory Tea Dance with local dance teacher Niall at Northrepps Cottage Country Hotel (£9.95 per person - booking essential on 01263 579202).

Or for the strictly sentimental there is the option of a 'Trousseau Tea' at Starston (a French wedding tradition where the bride's family show off all her new things) organised by the local WI. All the guests plan to don posh frocks and bring along pics of their own 'big day'.

Big screens will abound across the county - even at Carrow Road, where for £55 per person 'wedding guests' will kick off with coffee and pastries before the celebrations move to the top terrace for 'all the traditions of a wedding including champagne and canapés, a four-course wedding breakfast and wedding cake.'

A 'match' made in heaven? Only time will tell..!

For full details check out the EDP's comprehensive listing...

Coast to Coast at Hatfield Hines

Throughout the bank holiday period Hatfield Hines Gallery will be celebrating East Anglian coastlines, with works from 1900 to the present day.

This will be a diverse show, with a few surprises..from fresh takes on some of the most well known coastal views by Gilia Florentin-Lee, David Baxter, Geoffrey Chatten, Derek Inwood and John Tookey, to some slightly rougher seas painted earlier in the 20th Century by accomplished seascape artist Rowland Fisher (1885-1969).

Easter Ahoy!

In keeping with Hatfield Hines' April theme of 'East Anglian Coastlines', this Easter we thought we'd focus on special seasonal events and activities with a watery connection...

Friday 22nd April - Easter Egg Hunt at Salhouse Broad - a 1.5hr trail of clues to follow around the Broad along with arts & crafts and Easter themed games. Cost: £3 per child / £5 for two children. Further info tel: 01603 722775.

Friday 22nd April - Easter Special River Trip at Wroxham Broad - Discover this magical waterland with children's on-board nature quiz, egg hunt and colouring competition whilst the Skipper will point out nesting birds and young. Cost: £7.50 adult / £6 child / Free for under fives. Book on: 01603 782207

Saturday 23rd April - Dawn Otter Spotting Canoe Trail - Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden - Ideal for early risers who will join 'The Canoe Man' at 6am (!!) on this guided paddle, meandering down quiet, undisturbed tributaries to see the elusive otter - we hope! Cost: £25 adult / £15 child. Booking essential on: 01603 499177

Sunday 24th April - Otters for late-risers - For those - like me - who fancy a Saturday lie-in - there is also a later - and more extended - Otter-Canoe-spotting session available on Easter Sunday, departing from Honing Lock at 10am, at the higher price of £40 per adult and £25 per child.

Thursday 28th April - 6pm onwards - Powerboat Racing at Nicholas Everitt Park, Outlon Broad. Something completely different for those who prefer speed to Simnel cake! Cost: Free. Information: 01603 881112.

Saturday 30th April - Birdsong for Beginners - Nope - not a flashback to Johnny Morris or Doctor Doolittle - but a special RSPB guided walk around Strumpshaw Fen Nature Reserve, to learn the distinctive calls of woodland and water birds. Suitable for adults and older children. Cost: £5 adult / £3 child. Booking essential on: 01603 715191.

Mum's the Word - Post-war Pioneers at Pallant...

This week sees the opening of 'Robin and Lucienne Day: Design and the Modern Interior' at Pallant House in Chichester.

The retrospective features distinctive interior works by the most celebrated British designer couple of the post-war era.

Working alongside each other in their shared studio, the Days pioneered the introduction of modern design in furniture (Robin) and textiles (Lucienne) during the 1950s and 1960.

Their designs gained mass recognition after the Festival of Britain in 1951, in which they played a major part.

For an extra special treat - Pallant House Gallery are offering free entry to the exhibition and afternoon tea (worth £13.95) at 'Field and Fork' for all Mums (accompanied by fee paying offspring) on Mother's Day this Sunday.

There will also be the option to indulge in a celebratory glass of bubbly on the day for an additional £6.

How very civilised!

To pre-book for teas, contact the Gallery on (01243) 770827.

Happy Holidays from Hatfield Hines!

By popular demand, we've made you an updated video (courtesy of ace cameraman Olivier) showing Holt Christmas lights 2010.

Sorry there's no snow but we couldn't get up the hill with the camera when there was!

Merry Christmas from all at Hatfield Hines and our very best wishes for 2011.

Art all night long at Nuit Blanche, Paris

Visitors to Paris last weekend were treated to a night of spectacular (and not so spectacular) free installations, courtesy of Nuit Blanche, the French capital's annual all-night-art-fest...

Contributions viewed by Hatfield Hines' roving Girl Friday included:

- 'Reflexion!?' a giant exclamation mark constructed of tiny illuminated micro-fans, suspended in mid-air inside the ancient church of Saint-Paul

- 'Crisis' an illuminated shed which promised (but did not deliver) smoke effects, at Square Leopold Achille, in the Marais

- 'Aurora Borealis' an amazing Swedish installation of gauzy banners, billowing in the breeze, projected with luminous images, inspired by the northern lights

- 'Cinema en Plein Air' an all-night open air cinema at Place du Marche Ste Catherine, showing a series of short films

-An amazing walk-through '3D Bridge' installation on the Pont Saint-Louis

-'(M)ondes' - a courtyard installation with light projections reflected from suspended wire structures, to create an animated firefly effect

- 'The Kiss' - an installation at the Ecole Nationale Des Beaux-Arts where two naked dancers, housed inside a canvas-covered box, press against the screen to recreate elements from celebrated sculpture. Also at the same venue, a spectacular glass room within which actors pose inanimate - like mannequins of the 1940s - until a spectator is invited to enter, to interact with them.

Art Alfresco at Sheringham Woods...

For North-Norfolk-dwellers, a walk in the woods can involve a bit more than botany, boots and bird-watching these days...

In Sheringham Park's new 'Bower' area - complete with disabled-friendly nature ponds and a wildflower meadow full of intriguing-sounding 'mini-beasts' - the National Trust team are inviting locals to get creative in 3D with a selection of natural 'found' objects.

Snaps of woodland works of art can be emailed for display on the Park's website at: sheringhampark@nationaltrust.org.uk

Here's one they prepared earlier! Is it 'art'? You decide?

Radio Norfolk's Money-Guru in-Spire-d by survey

Thanks to Jeremy Hooke - the voice of BBC Radio Norfolk's 'Monday Money' and former Lord Mayor of Norwich - for tipping us off to his own favourite Norfolk view...

"My personal favourite is the view from the top of St. John's Roman Catholic Cathedral in Norwich looking eastwards, out towards the coast.

This is a rare and spectacular view from a spot which I was fortunate enough to visit several times during my tenure as Lord Mayor of Norwich.

The tower - which is the highest point from there right the way until the Ural mountains in Russia - is open during Heritage Open Days - and it is well worth a visit!"

To mark your own beauty spot on the Norfolk landscape and win the chance to immortalise it in a specially commissioned oil, just enter our competition or pick up a form at the Gallery. Hurry though - the closing deadline is now fast-approaching on 15th September!

Hatfield Hines - Coming Up Roses in September

During September, Hatfield Hines Gallery celebrates all things floral with a special exhibition featuring Norfolk Gardens and Flower paintings...

Styles range from the painterly still-lifes of Naomi Clements-Wright and Eleanor Hope-Henderson to the vivid semi-cubist collages of Naomi Munuo and pastoral pastels of emerging talent Liz Inwood, daughter of well-known local artist Derek Inwood.

Celeb Chef Galton Blackiston's Top Landscape

Michelin-starred TV Chef Galton Blackiston has cooked his way around the world, but his heart still belongs to Norfolk...

“My favourite view is seen when driving from Langham to Morston.

At one point in the journey you get a perfect view from Blakeney Point to the Watch House.

On a Summer's evening it’s just fantastic and I love it!”

To mark your own beauty spot on the Norfolk landscape and win the chance to immortalise it in a specially commissioned oil, just enter our competition or pick up a form at the Gallery. Hurry though - the closing deadline is 15th September.

Art hits the streets in Holt...

Thanks to pavement posse 'Urban Canvas', who took their chalks for a walk in Fish Hill yesterday, creating an amazing 30 foot multi-colour pencil doodle.

Today's browsers have been equally entertained by glimpses of a bowler-hatted gent power-walking through the town playing audio clips of helicopter landings from his concealed-speaker-briefcase!

Raise a Glass to Holt Summer Festival...

Holt Summer Festival kicks off this Sunday with a week of special arts events and workshops in store...

From July 25th to 31st Festival-goers can take a songwriting workshop, paint pots, enjoy a blues picnic in the woods or hitch a ride on a free shuttle bus to explore contemporary greek myths in Holt Country Park.

For our own artistic contribution to this year's festival, Hatfield Hines are taking part in the Holt Gallery Trail.

On Monday there will be pavement art to enjoy outside on Fish Hill and on Tuesday and Thursday evening we will stay open with drinks until 8pm for two special after-hours viewings of our current exhibition - Naomi Munuo.

We're also launching a new competition to find Norfolk's Best Loved View. All entries will go into a prize draw and the winner will receive a specially commissioned oil of their own favourite Norfolk landscape.

To enter, either pick up a nomination form in the Gallery or click here to enter via email.

What's Your Favourite Norfolk View?

Tell us and you could win a specially commissioned oil painting in our new survey competition!

Your County Needs You!
At Hatfield Hines we're always keen on introducing visiting art lovers to new views of Norfolk, so we're launching a summer competition to find the most enjoyed view in the area.

To nominate your own favourite, simply click on our recruiting poster to email us the details.

As a thank-you for taking part, we'll enter you into our free summer prize draw.

The lucky winner will receive a painting of their own favourite Norfolk view by local landscape artist David Baxter (so it will be your opportunity to specially commission your own painting for free..!)

From Abstract to Pastoral...

After a great reaction to our Abstracts Made Real exhibition through April, Hatfield Hines has decided to calm the pace down with a serene exhibition of Fields and Farms for May.

The front gallery showcases some wonderful rural views by a variety of artists from Norfolk and beyond, including Sir Daniel Lascelles, Philippa Bewley-Pope and Peter Jamieson.

The diversity of style and content illustrates that some of the best subjects for art are just outside the window. The more contemporary scenes also reaffirm that - luckily - so much of the British landscape still remains unspoilt, and is out there waiting to be rediscovered...

Get Romantic in the Local Landscape...

Garden lovers can enjoy a private view al-fresco today at The Romatic Garden Nursery in Swannington...

Local leadwork artist Brian Turner is hosting a special preview of his newest designs.

Artisan-of-choice to a coveted roster of celebrated garden designers including George Carter (one of the Times' Top Ten horticultural designers) and Bunny Guinness, Turner has already brought home five Cheslea Gold Medals for his creative installations, in collaboration with the Romantic Garden Nursery's topiary and planting.

As well as an amazing display of plants, on show today will be a selection of water features, fountains, plaques, cisterns and urns, together with a display of 'the tools of the trade' showing the complex process of creating art in lead.

There will also be exclusive access to Swannington Manor Gardens, as well as the chance to meet George Carter, who will have a selection of his books on sale.

The event will be open 10-5pm today, with a drinks reception at lunchtime at:

The Romantic Garden Nursery
The Street, Swannington
Norfolk NR9 5NW