Just a short bike ride along the river from Cambridge you’ll find Fen Ditton Gallery, an inviting space run by artist/photographer Lotte Attwood (pictured right) and daughter Hannah Munby (left). Housed in a converted Victorian National School Building, the contemporary gallery, with its high ceiling, soft grey walls and feature window - bathing the room in natural light – is elegance personified. And unlike some galleries, which can feel intimidating, this is a welcoming place in a domestic setting; it’s actually located in Lotte’s home!
Formerly the Lynne Strover Gallery, the handsome building underwent restoration in 2018, with guidance from independent curator Amanda Game and Brocklehurst Architects. Amanda then worked with Lotte and Hannah, developing the concept and programme for the gallery. They launched in May 2018 with the exhibition Borderlands - works by silversmith Simone ten Hompel and Lotte’s own striking black and white photographs.
Subsequent exhibitions have showcased the best of contemporary art and design, bringing together artists across different disciplines (painting, tapestry, ceramics, sculpture), inspired by a variety of themes, from vibrant colours (International Blues; Japanese ceramics, tapestry and printmaking) to an appreciation of the natural environment (Trees Observed; celebrating the work of ecologist Oliver Rackham OBE and The Woodland Trust). Passionate about nature, the gallery team donated a percentage of their commission to The Woodland Trust, and similarly with their Birds exhibition, Birdlife International (based at Cambridge’s David Attenborough building) has benefited.
The gallery runs an exciting exhibition programme, featuring well-known and up-and-coming artists from around the world. Despite the challenges of 2020, the gallery held a varied programme of exhibitions, both virtually and physically, when guidance permitted.
Hannah, who has a background in marketing and communications within the arts sector, manages the gallery, while Lotte and Mandy curate, bringing a fresh and inspiring roster of artists to this most versatile space.
LATEST NEWS FROM THE GALLERY
Contemporary Printmaking Prize 2021: The Exhibition
16th April - 16th May
Earlier in the year, the gallery called for UK printmakers to enter an original print into the Contemporary Printmaking Prize. Out of 550 entries, 40 have been shortlisted and will be displayed in the finalists exhibition. The selection, which has been made by a panel of specialist judges, represents an exciting cross section of contemporary printmaking in the UK today and the gallery is delighted to be able to provide this platform for such an important and specialist art form. The artists include established career printmakers to those who have discovered the medium throughout this past year of lockdown.
Fen Ditton Gallery Podcast
Since lockdown began, the gallery has been looking for new and exciting ways to bring you the latest news from its artists and makers. Hannah took the opportunity to catch up with some of them and recorded the conversations, which she has now turned into a podcast series.
Fen Ditton Gallery
23 High Street, Fen Ditton CB5 8ST
Telephone 07843724397
www.fendittongallery.com
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