Lowestoft Town Council
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Lowestoft based Gallery, Another Angle Studio has realised a long-held ambition to recognize, perpetuate and celebrate John Reay’s (1947-2011) artistic legacy, reviving the legitimacy of his work as a valued contribution to the town and country’s artistic heritage.
This posthumous homecoming exhibition Reay of Light, depicts many scenes in the town at work and play. This is the first exhibition of John’s work since he passed away in 2011. It has been curated to show a range of his artistic styles in a variety of media and pieces that demonstrate a strong connection to Lowestoft, its heritage and the surrounding area.
Above: South Beach, Lowestoft - John Reay
Born in London in 1947, John Reay studied at Brighton and Norwich Schools of Art, from 1969 - 1973. He moved to Lowestoft Suffolk, UK, in 1974 to take up a teaching position, and live near the sea, which became a major inspiration for his art and became one of the most prolific artists in East Anglia.
John was a member of the Suffolk Group of Artists, and worked on location on the Suffolk and Norfolk Coast and was fascinated by the ever-changing nuances and subtleties of light and its interplay with figures and the landscape.
The human form was a major part of his work, and he used strong, sculptural figures contrasted with flat, East Anglian landscapes to accentuate their forms. His work varied from small, intricate landscapes painted on location, to large, bold compositions depicting groups of figures on the seashore, to single figures painted in his studio overlooking Lowestoft Docks.
Reay’s ability to capture "The subtleties and nuances of light in its ever-changing variety, which renews and reveals the landscape as one looks and records." gave his pictures a unique characteristic.
"Stimulated by the problems and contradictions of using these transient effects to reveal strong monumental forms" was a tension Reay appreciated in the works of Edward Hopper, (the American urban realist), "A constant influence on my art." and also in the work of the French painter Seurat. When in London, he would visit the National Gallery to study pointillist French painter Georges Seurat's masterpiece Une Baignade, Asnieres, remarking, "For me, one of our greatest national treasures". These influences are delightfully apparent in the larger works on show in the exhibition.
This exhibition of artwork by John Reay comes back to Lowestoft with thanks to Lowestoft Town Council who helped fund its transportation. Speaking about the exhibition, Cllr Alan Green, Mayor of Lowestoft, said “I am proud that Lowestoft Town Council were able to support bringing John Reay’s artwork back to the town for the people of Lowestoft to enjoy. As a Council, we aim to celebrate the heritage of the town and hope that many local people and visitors will be inspired by Reay’s unique depictions of Lowestoft and the surrounding area.”
Reay exhibited widely throughout his working life, in solo and mixed exhibitions in a diverse range of galleries, predominantly in London, East Anglia and the Home Counties, but as far afield as New York and St Petersburg. His work is held in public collections by Doncaster Museum.
The exhibition is expected to last for some 6 months until December 2022. Open 10.30-4pm at Another Angle Studio, Unit 6, 10 Battery Green Road, Lowestoft NR32 4DL (info@anotheranglestudio.com – 07825 487049 (Maria McNevin – Curator)
Read more on Lowestoft Town Council help bring John Reay Art Collection Home
As part of the Kensington Gardens Centenary celebrations, a new Peter Pan statue was unveiled by the Friends of Kensington Gardens.
The statue, which was designed by local artist John Mallett, was part-funded by Lowestoft Town Council and includes a solar-panel powered water pump.
The centenary celebrations, which took place on Saturday 11th June, included a wide-range of activities and entertainment throughout the afternoon.
Read more on New Peter Pan Statue unveiled at Kensington Gardens
The Friends of Kensington Gardens are holding a special event to mark the Centenary of the opening of Kensington Gardens on Saturday 11th June.
The event will start at 1pm with a range of stalls and activities to enjoy.
A programme of events has also been published as part of the celebrations (please note that timings are approximate)
1pm - The Mayor of Lowestoft opens the celebrations
1:15pm - Punch & Judy
2pm - Storytelling with Get Suffolk Reading
2:30pm - Sculpture unveiling
2:45pm - Marina Ukelele
3pm - Punch & Judy
3pm - Storytelling with Get Suffolk Reading
Lowestoft in Bloom returns this year with their FREE annual competition. The theme this year is HM The Queen's Jubilee!
There are several categories which you can enter:
Closing date for entry is Thursday 30th June
For more details and to enter please email lowestoftinbloom@gmail.com or call 07930 411507
Please be aware that courts 5 & 6 at Denes Oval Tennis Courts are currently closed for the time being. This is due to safety reasons.
The "People's Party in the Park" on Thursday 2nd June to mark HM The Queen's Platinum Jubilee was a resounding success. Sparrow's Nest was packed throughout the day which saw a wide range of events and live music performance take place a head of the lighting of Britain's most-easterly Jubilee Beacon.
Lowestoft Town Council would like to thank everyone who attended and who helped make the day a success: the Royal British Legion, all the refreshment stalls and music acts, the lighting, sound and stage team and everyone who helped with the lighting of the beacon.
We would love to see any of your photos from the day. If you would like to, you are welcome to send them in to us at admin@lowestofttowncouncil.gov.uk
Improving flood recovery for disabled women.
Do you identify as female, and as someone whose impairments could affect their ability to react to an emergency? Have you experienced a flood in the last 7 years?
Would you be willing to share your thoughts in a friendly and confidential conversation by phone, video call, or in person to help others who experience similar events in the future?
INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING?
Text “YES” to 07512 763042 or E-mail: Elizabeth2.Harrington@live.uwe.ac.uk
YOU WILL RECEIVE A £15 shopping voucher for your time.
Your involvement will help influence how people are helped after floods in the future.
