Gardens in British Art

The most recent WEA course, Perspectives of Pakistan, is coming to an end and has been well received, read about it below. The new year sees a new course starting led by Sue Pownall.  It will address “Art Appreciation: Gardens in British Art in the 19th & 20th Centuries.”

This course explores how gardens have been represented in British art throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Work examined includes the botanical artist Margaret Mee and English painter Eric Ravilious.

The course will start with a quick history of gardens as seen in art and then examine the artwork of various British artists looking at the content, style, medium used and other factors of the pieces. Topics range from formal gardens to allotments, greenhouses and garden sheds as represented by various artists. You will also look at individual plants as illustrated by botanical artists.

Booklist suggestions

• Painting the Modern Garden: Monet to Matisse, Royal Academy of Arts Exhibition Catalogue,
• Botany for Gardeners: The Art of Science of Gardening Explained and Explored,
• RHS and Art of Gardening: Tate publishing.

Enrolment

The course runs for 9 weeks starting at 8pm on Tuesday 16th January in the Methodist Hall.  The charge for the course is £48.60,  you can enrol now:

• online at enrolonline.wea.org.uk (course reference C2224462),
• by calling 0300 303 3464 (Monday to Friday 10 – 5), or
• pay at venue on first night.

There may be a fee waiver for those on low incomes and benefits.

For further information you can also call the local WEA contact on 01206 240512.

ALL ARE VERY WELCOME.

Perspectives of Pakistan

This nine week course on “Pakistan”, by Graham Platts, began in September. It has been much enjoyed by the 20 people who attended. Topics covered have been:

• the geography and climate of the area that now comprises Pakistan,
• Its’ ancient history through the many archaeology sites that show evidence of human habitation since 8000 BC,
• the difficulties and unrest experienced since partition from India, and
• the call for Jihad especially in the Northwest. The Northwest of the country has seen little change over centuries and Islamists are more able to take control of this mountainous area.

Pakistan excels in many sports such cricket, squash, and hockey and the country takes great pride in its’ leading sportsmen and women. Graham, the tutor, lived in Pakistan for several years and this was evident in the music, film, books and poetry he used to illustrate this most informative and interesting course.