Judy Hurst has her latest exhibition ‘Illumination: the Gateway to Eternity’ on show at Bowes Museum near Barnard Castle – and this month is your last chance to view it.
Her work mines from a deep historical vein that’s tied to the history of the North East. The illumination part of the exhibition’s title doesn’t refer to light but rather manuscripts and illustrations of a religious nature, something that’s associated more to the Book of Kells and the Lindisfarne Gospels. These manuscripts date back to the early beginnings of Christianity in Great Britain and often featured ornate lettering that’s become synonymous with the time period.
Hurst takes these basic principles of early typography and design and instead lets them influence her art, specialising in the ancient ways of painting onto calfskin.
Drawing inspiration from its vivid style and colouring, she applies it to her work based on the universe, nature and wildlife; these produce images that resonate with history and heritage that could have easily been a part of the ancient gospels.
Prints of the artwork are available from the museum shop, as are smaller versions and postcards. The exhibition is included as part of the entry into Bowes Museum which is open seven days a week. The last day of the display is Sunday 13th September.
For further information, please head to thebowesmuseum.org.uk.
