New Bawden Exhibition Now Open

Edward Bawden: Architectural Elements, a new exhibition showcasing Edward Bawden’s passion for architecture is now open at The Higgins Bedford.

Architecture is a reoccurring subject throughout the extensive body of work of influential British artist and designer, Edward Bawden (1903-1989).

The Higgins Bedford is displaying a number of these works, featuring prints, advertising campaigns, private commissions, personal Christmas cards and wallpaper designs, some of which have never been on display.

It was often said of Bawden that he had a ‘unique way of seeing the world’. This is seen in the unconventional architectural prints and illustrations he created. He cropped buildings to reveal hidden details and changed the perspective to show the beauty of the buildings from all aspects.

Douglas Percy Bliss, a friend and biographer of Bawden, said that his art ‘includes all aspects of Design, Architecture and Gardening’.

Edward Bawden (1903—1989) Nine London Monuments - Palace of Westminster, 1966 ©The Edward Bawden Estate. 
Courtesy of the Trustees of the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery (The Higgins Bedford).

Bawden spent most of his working life in London and much of his work portrays the city’s buildings. Some of his most recognisable works are featured in the Nine London Monuments series. These atmospheric, detailed prints have been described as ‘among the finest things he has ever done.’

Bawden’s work not only details London’s historic monuments but reflects the changing face of the city, from the uninterrupted skyline during his time as a student in the 1920s, to the aftermath of the Second World War, to the uncertain fate of the buildings facing demolition in the 1960s.

This exhibition explores Bawden’s interest in architecture through a variety of mediums, displaying his originality, wit and skill in giving character to the buildings featured in his work.

The exhibition is FREE to visit and will be accompanied by a series of gallery tours later in the year, offering more insight into the works on display. Visit The Higgins Bedford website for more details.

The Volunteer's Biggest Nightmare?

I’m holding an object that was turned off a potter’s wheel when the big game in town was Athens v Sparta, and Plato and Socrates were living celebs. This ancient Greek vase survived the Romans, the Vikings, the whole of the medieval period, Shakespeare, two world wars and the British Empire. 

When I wrap my fingers around its body and lift it up, oh my, what a weight! This vase has lasted for thousands of years intact. I feel the tiniest twinge and the premonition of a loud crash and a hundred tiny pieces scattered all over the floor. Dropping and breaking an irreplaceable antique – the volunteer’s biggest nightmare! Gently, gently, into the glass case, lower, and… breathe.

Why move it at all? Shouldn’t this vase stay in one place to be safe? One of the remarkable features of any museum is the “behind the scenes” part of the work, looking after the objects securely packed away in our stores. Why not put it all out? Well, we’d need a humungously big museum to have everything on view at once.

There’s a case for treating the museum as a shop window – we can ring the changes, refresh what we have to offer with new exhibitions and make sure that there’s always something different for visitors to see. Some of our galleries are “permanent”; others alter on a regular basis.

But what of our Greek vase, newly brought out of the archives, dusted down and mounted in the Collectors Gallery for all to see? Well the vase will be photographed and catalogued and then the fun part of discovering its story will begin. The who, the why and when of any good mystery!

Written by Derek Niemann, Collections Volunteer.

Home and Abroad Exhibition Coming to an End

Closing Sunday 26th January, this is the last week to visit our current Edward Bawden exhibition; Home and Abroad. 

Edward Bawden (1903—1989), Castelo Blanco from ‘Edward Bawden in Portugal’, 1962 ©The Edward Bawden Estate

A keen observer of the world around him, Edward Bawden visited many places around the world. He embarked on his first trip abroad to Italy aged 22. This was an experience which he recalled, 'gave me the biggest shock of my life'. He returned to Italy while serving as an Official War Artist in the Second World War, travelling to many parts of Africa and the Middle East. In later years he taught at the Banff School of Fine Art in Canada and visited Portugal in 1962, which resulted in the 'Edward Bawden In Portugal' lithograph series depicting Portuguese towns and were printed in Motif magazine. 

Edward Bawden (1903—1989), Covent Garden from 'Six London Markets', 1967 ©The Edward Bawden Estate

Bawden also found inspiration in the places he visited in England, particularly London where he spent much of his working life. He first came to London while studying at the Royal College of Art where he formed a friendship with the artist Eric Ravilious. Many of London's landmarks, parks, gardens, bridges and stations are portrayed in his work. The most popular being the prints in the ‘Six London Markets’ series from 1967.

Edward Bawden (1903—1989) Ives Farmhouse, Great Bardfield, c.1956 ©The Edward Bawden Estate

However, it wasn't just Bawden's adventures abroad or the rush of city life that was the subject of his work. Born in Essex and living in Great Bardfield for over 40 years, Bawden often found inspiration in the surrounding countryside, churches and farmyards for his watercolours and prints. He was an important member of The Great Bardfield Artists, a community of artists and designers famous for their open house exhibitions from the 1930's to the 1970's. While artistically diverse, the group shared a love for figurative art and was pivotal in influencing Edward Bawden's distinctive style of art. 

Edward Bawden: Home and Abroad is closing on Sunday 26th January and is free to visit. 

The Edward Bawden Gallery at The Higgins Bedford will be closed from 27th January to 7th February while the new Edward Bawden exhibition is installed. Architectural Elements opens Saturday 8th February. 

Merry Christmas from all at The Higgins Bedford!

Edward Bawden (1903—1989) Robin's Christmas Party, 1956-59 ©The Edward Bawden Estate.

Thank you to all of our visitors, collaborators and volunteers for making 2019 such an amazing year at The Higgins Bedford.

We've worked with many cultural partners to deliver an exciting year of exhibitions, displays and events including The Journey from Bunyan to the Brickworks, Round and Round the Garden, Music Matters: African and Caribbean Heritage Day, Fun Palaces, Refugee Week, Wellbeing Saturdays, family activites and much more. We've welcomed many new fantastic volunteers, resulting in a team of over 150 volunteers that have contributed almost 9,000 hours of their time this year. 

We have lots to look forward to in 2020 with more exciting exhibitions, displays, talks, tours and events coming soon to The Higgins Bedford.

In the meantime, if you're looking for something to do around the festive period, The Higgins Bedford is a great place to visit with friends and family, with FREE admission! The museum will be closed on Mondays, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. Normal opening hours from Thursday 2nd January. 

See you all in 2020!

Dreams and Nightmares Exhibition Review

The Dreams and Nightmares exhibition has launched and will be showcased up until 22^nd March 2020 at The Higgins Bedford. Working in partnership; Victoria Partridge - Keeper of Fine and Decorative Art at The Higgins and Christiana Payne – Professor of History of Art at Oxford Brookes University – has organised this event.

Co-curators; Victoria Partridge and Professor Christiana Payne

In this exhibition chosen from the highlights of the Cecil Higgins Collection the dreams and nightmares ranged from happy dreams to troubling nightmares where fears and desires were a key part in telling the story of the paintings. The paintings had different themes which included dreamscapes; sublime and spiritual visions; sleepers; spectral images; romantic dreams and daydreams; fairies and witches; manifestations of the unconscious; and nightmares becoming realities.

Max Klinger (1857 - 1920) - On Death Part Two, Dead Mother, 1898

I had the opportunity to view this exhibition on 10th October 2019 and as a young person attending, I found it fascinating. The creation of the different interpretations constructed a vivid image and brought the paintings to life, particularly the nightmare On Death Part Two, Dead Mother, 1898 by artist Max Klinger (from the nightmares become realities section). In the painting, a baby is sitting on top of the mother, who is dead. The baby doesn’t think this is a nightmare because in front of them is their mother laying asleep. It’s deeply saddening as they just want their mother to wake up. It really makes you connect with the picture and the story being told and really touched my heart. The black and white painting really hones in on the loneliness of the baby child who has no one to turn to. The blackness of the woods in the background traps the baby from the outside world, where one lone tree is used to signify that they are all alone.

This exhibition is well worth the visit and in addition there will be gallery tours, lunchtime lectures and a study day with Christiana Payne and Victoria Partridge. For further details visit the website: http://www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/exhibitions-1/dreams_and_nightmares.aspx

Written by a member of Higgins Young People's Panel (HYPP): Isma, aged 14

Museum Shop Sunday

Get into the festive spirit at The Higgins Bedford with a cultural shopping experience offering unique, creative and special gifts in the run up to Christmas, made by independent suppliers, artisans and charities.

The Higgins Bedford shop has a range of products inspired by the museum’s collections and exhibitions, including cards, postcards and books. The ever-popular advent calendars by Angela Harding and Emily Sutton are stocked alongside Christmas cards and wrapping paper designed by Eric Ravilious. Shoppers can also expect to find a tempting range of chocolate, festive felt decorations, printed tea towels, handmade soaps by New Ewe and more.

Christmas shop stock at The Higgins Bedford; felt ornaments, Emily Sutton advent calendars,
Angela Harding teal towels and Eric Ravilious wrapping paper.

There will also be a variety of stalls offering an opportunity to discover more about Bedford’s creative community as well as a bespoke range of locally crafted items including knitwear made by The Higgins Knitting Group.

At The Higgins Bedford, Museum Shop Sunday will run from 2-5pm and offers the perfect opportunity to purchase a unique Christmas gift for that special someone.

Supported by the Association for Cultural Enterprises (ACE)

Celebrating Black History Month 2019

October is Black History Month in the UK and at The Higgins Bedford we're celebrating and commemorating the history, culture and achievements of black people with a series of events, talks, discussions and workshops. 

On Sunday 13th October, there will be a panel discussion exploring mixed race identity in Bedford. Michelle Balach-Ali will present the fascinating results of her recent study that showed mixed race people are competent ‘cultural negotiators’, equipped with the resilience to withstand various forms of racial abuse. Michelle will be joined by panel members Pauline Stepney, Warren Temple and Angela Lowell as they ask the audience to consider their own position regarding mixed race identity in Bedford. This panel discussion  starts at 2:30pm - 4pm, is free to attend and must be booked in advance. 

To book your place, please use our online booking system or visit Bedford Central Box Office at 27 Harpur Street, Bedford or telephone 01234 718044.

We'll be celebrating the music that has inspired Bedford’s African and Caribbean community on Saturday 26th October. Take part in musical workshops and browse stalls. Enjoy topical talks exploring the history of different musical styles and music's impact on identity and wellbeing. This will run from 11am - 4pm and is free entry but prices will vary for workshops.

Working in partnership with Power in Discussion.

Keep an eye on the developing programme of events on our website.

Just after Black History Month there will be a talk by Lucy Bland, Professor of Social and Cultural History at Anglia Ruskin University, on Saturday 9th November exploring the history of wartime children born to black GIs and British women. Many suffered racism as well as the stigma of illegitimacy. Now in their 70s, many have told their stories which have been captured in Lucy’s recently published book and will be shared in this talk. Starting at 2:30pm- 3:30pm, this talk costs £5.90, £4.70 for concessions and booking is essential. 

To book your place, please use our online booking system or visit Bedford Central Box Office at 27 Harpur Street, Bedford or telephone 01234 718044.

Exhibitions Closing 29th September

The Round and Round the Garden and The Journey from Bunyan to the Brickworks exhibitions will soon be coming to a close and shouldn't be missed! With displays of art works from the internationally renowned Cecil Higgins Art Gallery and incredible stories from local people, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

Round and Round the Garden – A Celebration of Horticulture in Art - Free Entry

Celebrate all things gardens and gardening in art. Explore our human fascination with them and how they have provided inspiration for artists including Pre-Raphaelite John Everett Millais, Walter Sickert and Joan Eardley. Features 'The Wynding Wixam Tree', a sensory installation with various objects in burrows, nests and hanging from branches.

Here's what some of our visitors have said:

"Thoroughly enjoyed the garden exhibition. Children were enchanted by the tree".

"Incredibly good! We would travel anywhere in the UK to find an exhibition of this quality".

"Wonderfully varied. We have enjoyed seeing so many different artists and styles". 

"This was amazing to look at. I really admire the aesthetic art and tree design. It makes me want to come here everyday. 

Working in collaboration with Christiana Payne, Professor of History of Art at Oxford Brookes University and Andy Lawrence from the Theatre of Widdershins.

© The Mutual Security Agency 

The Journey from Bunyan to the Brickworks - Free Entry

Explore the journey of pride, inspiration and hope made by John Bunyan, alongside the difficult journeys made to Bedford by those who came to work at the Brickworks after the Second World War. Includes a large 'stained-glass' effect window, and films, recordings and objects collected from the community.

Here's what some of our visitors have said:

"Another great exhibition. Important and really interesting stories".

"A fascinating exhibition and particularly meaningful at the present time. The immigrant workers who came to Bedford have enriched it so much".

"When my husband was courting me, he presented me with occasional bricks with personal messages that he carved into the green brick before it went into the kiln. I still keep two on my dressing table".

"The Brickworks exhibition very interesting. I found the film moving - especially the way in which immigration was vital to the industry. It made me re-think some of my views on immigration".

This is a collaborative National Lottery Heritage funded project between John Bunyan Museum & Library, The Bedford Chronicles, SHARE Museums East, Invisible Folk Club and Greensand Country Festival.

© The Mutual Security Agency 

It’s A Hole, A Big Big Hole - The Extraction Industry and the Bedfordshire Landscape by Brian Kerr
Wednesday 18th September, 2pm
£5.90, £4.70 for concessions - Booking essential

Join Brian Kerr, author of 'A Certain Degree of Magnificence: People in the Bedfordshire Landscape', for the last of our brickworks-related talks and explore how the extraction industries have influenced Bedfordshire's development. 

To book your place, email thehiggins@bedford.gov.uk or telephone 01234 718618. 

Summer Holiday Activities 2019

Visit The Higgins Bedford throughout the summer holidays and enjoy activities and workshops for both children aged 5 and above and teenagers aged 12 to 16 years old.

Places are limited and should be booked in advance by purchasing a ticket at The Higgins Bedford reception desk. We are currently unable to take bookings online or over the phone. Unfilled places will be offered on a first-come, first served basis on the day.

Stories from the Wynding Wixam Tree
Every Wednesday 24th July - 28th August
11am & 2pm, £5 per child (free for accompanying adults)

Step into the world of spectacular stories performed by the Theatre of Widdershins. Gather at the Wynding Wixam Tree in the Round and Round the Garden exhibition, and join in fantastical adventures and traditional fairy tales that are guaranteed to captivate families. Different stories are performed each week including, The Princess & The Pea, Granny Dumpling and The King with Stinky Feet.

Teen Creativity Workshops
Every Wednesday 24th July - 28th August
12:30pm, £3 per person (no parents required)

Enjoy creative writing and arts and crafts workshops for teenagers aged 12 to 16 years old. Teens will be able to meet local artists Lisa Tilley and Kemi Onabuleand, professional author Derek Niemann and Christiana Payne, Professor of History of Art at Oxford Brookes University and have the opportunity to explore different art and media styles and gain insights into the professional arts world.

Sponsored by Oxford Brookes University

Horrible Higgins Histories
Every Friday 26th July - 30th August
11am, 12:30pm & 2pm, £3 per child (free for accompanying adults)

Travel through time and space with Kevin the Platypus, explore the museum’s collections and get creative in horribly historical creative workshops. From Stone Age to Space Age, there is sure to be an activity to delight families. Design and make Stone Age necklaces, Viking brooches, Victorian hats, moon rockets with Little Science Labs and more.

Talks & Tours Coming Soon...

© The Mutual Security Agency

Brickmaking in Bedfordshire by Alan Cox

Thursday 18th July, 2:30pm

£5.90, (£4.70 Concessions)

As part of the exhibition, The Journey from Bunyan to the Brickworks, join author of ‘Brickmaking: A History and Gazeteer (Survey of Bedfordshire)’, Alan Cox, as he discusses the development of the brickmaking industries and the impact they have made in Bedfordshire.

Cecil Higgins Anniversary Tours
Thursday 25th July, 11.30am & 2pm
£5.90 (£4.70 Concessions)

Explore the internationally renowned Cecil Higgins Art Gallery Collection and celebrate 70 years since it first opened to the public.

What makes this collection so special is that, unlike other benefactors who have supported institutions with a lifetime of collecting, Cecil Higgins collected with the specific intention of opening a museum.

With mesmerising works by Picasso, JMW Turner and Edward Bawden, amazing pieces by William Burges and William Morris and porcelain by Meissen and Chelsea, this is a unique opportunity to find out more about Bedford’s benefactor, Cecil Higgins, and the wonderful collection he gave to his town.

Garden Tours - Transforming the Gardens at The Higgins Bedford 
Thursday 25th July
11:15am, Free

Explore the Castle Gardens in a free, half an hour tour, discover the history of the grounds and find out more about the volunteer-led project to rejuvenate the gardens.

Supported by SDC Community Fund, established by SDC Builders Ltd



Booking is essential for these talks and tours. To book your place, please telephone 01234 718618 or email thehiggins@bedford.gov.uk.