Leading artists pay homage to Bawden in Bedford exhibition

Some of the biggest names in art are exhibiting new work to honour renowned designer Edward Bawden.

Works by handbag designer Lulu Guinness, artist Rob Ryan and printmaker Angie Lewin are on show at The Higgins Bedford.

Chris Brown, exhibition curator and Bawden's friend, said his archive was a "great asset" to make new work from.

A sister exhibition also features work by Bedfordshire illustrators, the Circus of Illustration.

Edward Bawden & Me runs from 17 February until 13 October at The Higgins, which is home to 3,000 pieces of his work that were donated to the gallery in the 1980s.

It includes prints, watercolours, ceramics, wallpapers, murals, posters, advertising designs, book illustrations and even a garden bench.

Bawden (1903-89) lived in Essex at Great Bardfield and Saffron Walden, and was one of 30 people appointed as an official war artist by the War Artists' Advisory Committee during World War Two.

Mr Brown said: "I think Edward would be amused to see that so many artists, printmakers, designers are paying homage to his work.

"Selecting the group has been enormous fun, and the work produced in response to Edward's will reflect his broad interests."

In total, 30 well-known artists were able to access his extensive archive to create new pieces inspired by his art, aimed at making a "younger generation aware of his work".

"His archive is a great asset, his work still looks lovely and modern," said Mr Brown.

Artist Mark Hearld, who has taken part, said: "I chose his linocut Ives Farm, but have made my response in collage because nobody does linocuts better than Edward Bawden."

Drusus Tabor said looking at the archive was "a revelation, and a completely joyous one at that".

"Bawden's vision is unique and - to an American like myself - quintessentially English."

Kristina Bullen, from the Circus of Illustration, whose work is on show in a sister exhibition, said: "Some of the top artists in the country are involved in this exhibition, so the Circus is thrilled beyond measure to be invited to be part of it. It's something we never expected would happen."

She said Bawden was a commercial artist, working in advertising, as well as being an illustrator and mural painter.

"That's the kind of work that is our bread and butter," she said.

"Bawden is an inspiration to every artist who has visited The Higgins and seen his work in Bedford, it's incredible."

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