Thanks to Suzanne and Alan for this report from the opening of Dimbola’s latest exhibition. Ed
A year ago we wrote about the exhibition ‘Retracing the Eye: Giving a Voice to the Voiceless’ which was being staged in London.
It was a new collaborative exhibition of etches, wood-cuts and photography by visual artists Sunara Begum and Dunstan Perera. These two British artists of Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan descent looked at the work of Julia Margaret Cameron.
Bi-centenary celebrations
Dr. Brian Hinton MBE a Dimbola Gallery trustee was first aware of Sunara’s work at this exhibition at the Crypt Gallery, St. Martin’s in the Fields, London a year ago and plans were set in motion for Sunara to exhibit her work at Dimbola as part of the 200 years celebrations for the life of Julia Margaret Cameron (JMC).
Visit to JMC’s former Sri Lankan home
Sunara’s solo exhibition has been arranged by Dr Rachel Flynn, and is a new interpretation of Julia Margaret Cameron’s work with colours and textures having reminiscences of terracotta and earth pigment.
This work also draws on Sunara’s indigenous culture. Prior to being staged at Dimbola the exhibition was on show in Sri Lanka and on her first trip to Sri Lanka (previously Ceylon) Sunara visited the former home of Julia and said that she immediately felt at home there and a bonding to Julia and her work.
Millais connection
Official photographer for the opening event of ‘Retracing the Eye’ at Dimbola was Joshua Millais.
He’s the great, great grandson of the painter and illustrator Sir John Millais, who was a frequent visitor to Farringford and was one of the Freshwater Circle which included Julia and Lord Tennyson.
Joshua was interested to see the photograph of his relative on display at Dimbola.
Image: © Suzanne Whitewood
