The new JD Wetherspoons inn in Hitchin named The Angel Vaults will have work by 2 Digswell Artists on permanent display. Sally Tyrie (Print Member) and Christine Harrison (Fellow) were each commissioned to make work for the venue which opened its doors for the first time on March 10th.

Christine’s acrylic on canvas works titled ‘A different view’ and ‘Stone and water’, are based on views of The Priory and the bridge to St Mary’s Church in Hitchin. Christine says of the work that she ‘was looking for the conjunction of the architecture and nature and especially from slightly unusual or overlooked viewpoints. The sense of history was important too, it interests me that a human being can have a new response to something that pre-dates them and will be there long after they are gone.’

Sally’s works titled ‘Palimpsest i & ii’ which use Monoprint, text and machine stitch on book pages pay homage to specific writings of three of Hitchin’s past literary characters, namely George Orwell, Emily Davies and George Chapman. Sally says of the project that ‘ it was a real joy to delve into the work of these writers for the research part of these pieces. The resulting mixed media prints make particular reference to ‘1984’ by Orwell, who lived nearby in Baldock, the ‘Odyssey’ translated by the Hitchin based poet Chapman, and ‘The Higher Education of Women’ by Davies who opened Benslow House in Hitchin in 1869, enabling women for the first time to study for a Degree.’

For more on these artists see;
http://www.christineharrison.net
https://sallytyrie.wordpress.com

To visit the venue; http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/home/pubs/the-angel-vaults-inn