The 200th anniversary is being celebrated in a variety of academic and other ways led by Jane Austen’s House Museum. If you haven’t been, add it to your to do list. The place is delightful, in a beautiful, fairly unspoilt corner of England and visitors will almost feel the spirit of Jane in the walls. Austen lived in the house, on the green in Chawton, Hampshire, from 1809 until her death in 1817. The museum is mounting a contemporary art exhibition in response to Pride and Prejudice called Impressions which brings together seven Hampshire artists who have each responded to the novel in different mediums from the creation of a soundscape to glass work, wood sculptures and photography.
Sophie Cunningham Dawe, artist/ exhibition curator, has brought together the artists to respond to the novel in the context of Austen’s life and times and its lasting significance. She said: ‘it is exciting to have the opportunity to work with such a literary ‘great’ in its bicentenary year. Pride and Prejudice, or first impressions as was Jane Austen’s original title, remains the most popular novel in the English language with its treatment of love, courtship and the journey to self-knowledge. ‘our aim is to open up a dialogue between the novel, the artworks, Jane Austen house museum and its visitors and enable people to engage in new and unexpected ways.’
the artists whose work will be included are: Susan Wood, sound artist, Eileen White, Paper artist, Chris Riisager, mixed media artist, Alex Jones, sculptor, Alex Hoare, glass artist, Kate Dicker, artist and Sophie Cunningham Dawe, Photography.
For further information visit Jane Austen’s House Museum, Chawton, Alton, Hampshire GU34 1SD Website: www.jane-austens-house-museum.org.uk
