This year Cambridge University Library celebrates its 600th anniversary and one of the first events to mark this momentous year is an exhibition in the entrance hall of the Library in collaboration with Kettle’s Yard and artist Georgie Grace.
The horizon is the point of no return is curated by Georgie Grace, whose two lenticular prints (prints that move as the viewer moves past them) are central to the items on display. It examines her practice and use of the role of light and movement, and its themes of landscape, dangerous time, and uncertain position. She was able to select works from the Kettle’s Yard collection to challenge and complement her own work. The selection includes work by Barbara Hepworth, Gregory Vardenega, Italo Valenti, Eric Moody, Alfred Wallace, and Tony Giles. The exhibition is on display until 10 June 2016.
Kettle’s Yard was the Cambridge home of Jim and Helen Ede, who together created an impressive collection of British and European art. Jim had been a curator at Tate Gallery and described himself as a ‘friend of artists’, acquiring much of his collection through these friendships. Kettle’s Yard became an unusual blend of a family home and art gallery where major works by 20th century artists were displayed.
When the Edes retired in 1973 they gave the house to the University of Cambridge. Now, due to a major capital redevelopment on the property itself, the Kettle’s Yard collection is available to tour for the first time in its history, and the University Library is very pleased that some of its treasures are on display in its magnificent entrance hall alongside the two artworks by Georgie Grace.
More information about the exhibition and artist Georgie Grace can be found on the Kettle’s Yard website.