| Status: | Active, open to new members |
| Organiser: |
Sandy Patrick
|
| Group email: | Galleries group |
| When: | On Wednesday afternoons 2:00pm-4:30pm 1st Wednesday (Meeting); 2nd Wednesday (Visit) |
| Venue: | Group Organiser's Home |
We have thought-provoking discussions on art and visits to exhibitions and museum collections in London and further afield, including lesser known galleries. The Group meets at the Group Organiser's home on the first Wednesday afternoon of the month for the slide presentation prepared by a member, and then we visit the gallery exhibition on the second Wednesday, usually arriving ready for coffee, then the exhibition, then lunch and discussion afterwards. Whilst we would love new members, unfortunately the Group Organiser's home can only accommodate ten people at a squeeze, but if anyone is interested, please email using the link above. Read about some of our recent visits below.
We recently visited the David Hockney ‘A Year in Normandie’ exhibition at Serpentine North. The show includes a 90-metre-long work, created from iPad drawings joined together, which focusses on the colours and changing rhythms of the seasons during Covid 2020 at his studio in Normandy. It is inspired by the size of the Bayeux Tapestry, but also draws from his knowledge of Chinese and Japanese scroll paintings. On discovering that the café was closed for a private event, a member of the group knew of a Polish restaurant in Exhibition Road, and we had a deliciously different lunch there.
Several Sennockians attended the Memorial Concert dedicated to Chris Dance (1943-2026), held on 17th May in St. Andrews Church, Islington. The concert was organised by William Tuck, a member of Chalemie, a group of musicians, actors, and dancers who enjoy performing early music, early dance, and commedia dell’arte. Chris had been a long-time active member of Chalemie, playing harpsichord and other keyboard instruments, hence their performance of the memorial concert, in which we were treated to a programme of songs and music by John Dowland (1563-1626). Chris was also an active member of u3a, and supported the Great Comp Music Festival, The Sevenoaks Music Club, and The Arts Society Sevenoaks. It was heartening to meet so many other people who knew and had enjoyed his company. There was cake and fizz in his honour.
The Gallery Group is sad to have lost Chris Dance, its leader for many years. Although increasingly incapacitated, he remained an enthusiastic contributor determined to be part of our presentations and gallery visits right up until January, opening his home for our monthly meetings. We have a lot to thank him for. This year we’ve been impressed by the immense courage of Lee Miller’s life. We've had another look at some of the work of Vanessa Bell. We’ve also been very chatty about Seurat & the Sea which is presently at the Courtauld. Next month we shall be immersed in Nigerian Modernism.
April 2026
Last updated 13 June 2026