Viva Lewes Issue #147 December 2018

ART
The Tree of Jesse, Notre Dame, Paris by Marc Chagall
Abraham and Sarah by Marc Chagall
And I have loved John Piper’s work since
I saw an exhibition of it at the Tate when I
was a child.”
She was aware that the Mascalls Gallery
in Kent had prepared a Chagall exhibition
which was never shown, as the gallery
suddenly closed down in 2016. “And I knew
that the Goldmark Gallery, in Rutland,
had a huge collection including works
by Chagall, Piper and Sutherland, so I
approached them to see if they wanted to go
into partnership for this show.”
They did. “We haggled a bit, and prepared
a collection. Which is what you can see
around you.”
We’re talking in Martyrs’ Gallery exhibition
room, and there is an extremely colourful
array of beautiful works leaning up against
the walls, ready for hanging. Alex gives me a
guided tour.
Chagall’s work shines out, of course,
particularly the tell-a-tale prints of his
Bible Suite illustrations of 1956, featuring the
likes of Job, Solomon and Abraham, all done
in his inimitable style. I love the two signed
1981 Piper prints from his Seasons series
– especially the fiery-faced Autumn – and
a Graham Sutherland exhibition poster, an
original lithograph from 1972, catches my eye.
And so much more, which you can see until
the 16th, with all the exhibits on sale. “The
fact that they are mostly limited edition
prints (there are two original sketches by
Sutherland, and a number of the works
are signed) means that they are reasonably
affordable,” she says.
So St Michael’s Church should get a
welcome financial boost for Christmas.
“The gallery cut that Martyrs’ would
normally earn is all going to the fund.”
Alex Leith
Something Glowing and Alive, Works by
Chagall, Piper and Sutherland, till 16th
December, 12-5pm Thurs-Sun.
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