May Talk: Chippenham Museum's Collection of Prints

 We were very pleased to welcome back Mark Golder to talk about his work with Chippenham Museum and the Golder-Thomson Gift of prints spanning the twentieth century to the museum. Many posts appear on this blog if you look up Mark Golder, this one for instance which gives some perspective on Mark, a far better insight into their philanthropy can be gained from the Pallant House Gallery website.

Mark began by comparing the populations of Swindon and Chippenham to give an idea of the size of the place. Swindon's population is 222,000 and Chippenham's 36,000. Chippenham has a small museum and has now been given room to expand, it is run by 4 staff and volunteers. Sarah Purvey, Calne based ceramicist played a significant part in developing the modern and contemporary art collection, introduced Mark and his partner Brian to Chippenham Museum. Two books have been produced with works acquired with a forward by Jo Baring Director of the Ingram Collection who talks about 'the visionary work being done at Chippenham Museum' The books are £5 each and when you visit Chippenham Museum, well worth buying.

Mark and Brian also produced a book entitled 'A Century in Print 1920-2020 The Golder-Thompson Gift'. The gift is in memory of Arthur Norman, manager of the Sue Ryder shop in Chippenham before moving to Eastern Europe. The collection is in 3 parts, designed to look at Wiltshire printmaking, there were 3 exhibitions showcasing works in the three eras. There were 60 prints donated in all, part funded by the local arts society; 16 from 1920-30, 25 from the 1940-80s and 19 from 2000-2020.

Robin Tanner etcher and educationalist was a teacher, loved Chippenham; his etchings give vivid evocations of life a hundred years ago. His Harvest Festival, Wiltshire Roadmaker and Gamekeeper's Cottage etchings are great examples of his work. Below the Roadmaker who has one of the most back breaking jobs. 

Moving onto the 1940s many of the artists in this section attended Bath Academy of Art at Corsham Court moved from Bath during the second world war.

Rosemary and Clifford Ellis attended and created poster like the one below of Teignmouth for Lyons tearooms

Few women got involved at Corsham Court, although Gillian Ayres produced silk squares, one in this collection and the other is in the Tate Collection. 

In the third section bringing us up to the present day, there are many names becoming more and more recognised. I visited this exhibition and took a photos of these works:

Above and below works by Sarah Purvey, particularly love the ceramic piece above, Friends bought one several years ago for the SC.

Above a commission by Jo Taylor for ITV

Above a mezzotint engraving of a Peppered Moth by Sarah Gillespie RWA

Above Emma Stibbon RA Night Sea Ice

Above Celia Cook, Variant 22 a woodcut, and finally the piece below is a new acquisition at Chippenham Museum, it's 'Large Platter with Doves' by James Tower, purchased with support from ACE/ V&A Purchase Grant Fund and Art Fund.

Thank you once again Mark for the inspirational talk, and do please visit Chippenham Museum.