A word from Ange Mullins, whose inspiration brings us ‘Art in the Church’ - an autumn exhibition…

“This exhibition unites six accomplished artists for the first time. We focus our collective attention on nature, demonstrating a wide array of artistic and personal perspectives and responses. Not only is each artist exploring their unique and personal relationship with nature through their creativity, they are also highlighting the interconnectedness of humankind and nature for others to witness.

We know of nature’s current struggles to maintain the delicate balance it must have in order to thrive, just as we know many of nature’s failings have come about as a result of humankind’s actions, so by highlighting nature through this collective endeavour we hope to inspire visitors to renew their environmental awareness and relationship. The sounds of nature played at the exhibition are by kind permission of renowned sound recordist’s Chris Watson and David de la Haye.

Welcome to our exhibition, we hope you like it.” Ange Mullins (Artist & curator)

Looking forward to seeing you at the show!

Claire Morris-Wright is a contemporary fine artist born in Wales and living in rural Northamptonshire.  

Claire Morris-Wright is a recipient of Arts Council Funding who graduated from Brighton Art College. She is one of the founding members of Knighton Lane Artists Studios and Leicester Print Workshop. Claire worked as educator and curator at Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery and Leicester City Gallery. She currently mentors and supports artists.

She has exhibited nationally at The British Craft Centre London, Southampton City Art Gallery, New Walk Museum Leicester, Loughborough University, Nottingham Museum and Art Gallery, City Gallery Leicester. Selected for Pushing Print Margate and “View” The Curve Theatre Leicester. Joint exhibitions at Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery, City Art Gallery Leeds, Dorchester Abbey, The Museum of Technology Cambridge. Selected for Beacon Arts, Bmentored programme. Awarded Arts Council England Lottery funding for ‘The Hedge Project’ and exhibited this work at Nottingham University Lakeside Arts, Leicester Print Workshop Gallery and Kettering Museum and Art Gallery.

She also received ACE funding for ‘ The Path’ and the associated artists Zine is now in the permanent collection at the British Library.

Claire says,

“I am an artist living in rural Northamptonshire, looking in detail at the landscape that surrounds me, absorbing and reflecting subtle seasonal changes in inspiring places. I see metaphors and symbols within the landscape as potent links with our experiences using my titles as a way of signposting thoughts and concerns. Chance intervention is my methodology, looking carefully with detailed observation at seasonal changes. My practice is based on building up a relationship, a knowing of a site and from this ideas and art emerges. I am committed to sharing my work as a way of raising issues about what nature evokes within us.”

Please visit my Website Instagram pages for more information or to get in touch.

Fiona Cumberpatch lives and works in Stamford Lincolnshire.

Her most recent career as a writer for gardening magazines has fuelled a passion for painting plants and flowers. She has a very small town garden, and a cutting patch nearby, which provide daily inspiration for her colourful work.  

Plants, flowers and domestic gardens are the inspiration behind my paintings in oils and Japanese watercolours. I am drawn to colour, whether its a tangled patch of dahlias growing at an allotment, a jug of garden flowers standing on the kitchen table or a posy of wildflowers on my potting bench. Fiona enjoys working on recycled cardboard and canvas, and often seek out vintage frames to enhance my pictures. 

Please visit my Website Instagram Twitter/X pages for more information or to get in touch.

Steve Cussons is a printmaker inspired by nature and science.

After a life working in IT, Stephanie retired and returned to her early love of printmaking. In 2023, she completed a BA(hons) Creative Arts degree. Her other interests are hiking, bird watching, astronomy and making things by hand. 

Steve says,

“Whatever my artistic subject, I am always looking for ways to allow my materials to have their own expression. Embracing uncertainty and experimentation, I try to work without preconceptions, open to an unexpected outcome.”

Please visit my Website Instagram pages for more information or to get in touch.

Ange Mullins is a printmaker who makes her own inks from locally foraged materials.

Ange Mullins moved to East Anglia as a teenager where she lived for many years before settling in Northamptonshire in 2017. She has exhibited locally, been featured in local and national publications and recently graduated with a BA (Hons) Creative Arts degree. She is a member of NROS (Northampton & Rutland Open Studios). Her work aims to inspire intrigue whilst instigating conversation relevant to urgent environmental concerns.

Ange’s creativity is practice focused, the physicality and connection to the materials she uses is an integral part of her process. By exploiting all of our human senses, and through a direct contact and manipulation of the materials she forages, Ange creates a visual response encompassing the ephemerality and vitality of the natural world. Research of key environmental issues and anthropological considerations feed her creative processes, leading to results considerate of an environmental biocultural relationship.

Ange says,

“As a child I was always outdoors, often pond swishing in the local river or poking my nose into hedges hunting for beetles and snails. My fascination with nature has never left me and now as an adult I hope to inspire a similar passion through my creative practice. Making ink from organic materials opens a path of communication with the natural world that satisfies my sense of longing and connection with the natural world to which I belong. Such biophilia cannot be easily explained nor taken lightly, but rather it is the sense of belonging passed down to us from our prehistoric ancestors.”

Please visit my Website Instagram pages for more information or to get in touch.

Sounds…

The sounds of nature played at the ‘Art in the Church’ - an autumn exhibition, are by kind permission from sound artists:

About St Rumbald’s Church…

St Rumbald’s Church in Stoke Doyle is one of the most individual churches in Northamptonshire – the simplicity of this church is a delight, especially when sunlight streams through the clear glass of the c.3,500 panes in the Georgian windows and shadows of the trees outside play on the newly colour washed walls.

The church was built in 1722, replacing a much larger 13th century church, which had fallen into serious decay with a dangerous steeple. The parishioners continue to be grateful to Edward Ward who gave us this beautiful church; the finest monument in the church executed by J.M. Rybrack is dedicated to his father, Sir Edward Ward who was Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer.

The church has a ring of 5 bells installed in the tower, which were recast by Thomas Eayre in 1727 from the earlier Gothic church. They were last restored in 1914 and it is wonderful to hear these lovely bells ringing across the Nene Valley, particularly on Wednesday afternoons when bell ringers come from the local area and enjoy the ringing and tea and cake!

The church is set in a tranquil churchyard and has remained untouched by agriculture or development for hundreds of years. Churchyards reflect family histories and historical interests, and St Rumbald’s churchyard is particularly special as it represents one of the best remaining examples of limestone grassland in the area. It has been recognised by the Wildlife Trust as a Local Wildlife Site, winning Gold Awards in the Churchyard Conservation Award Scheme.

Display boards and notices direct you to recent finds, like the pyramidal orchids and the barn owls nesting in the box in the yew tree, using the uncut, tussocky grass areas for hunting prey.

Art in the Church - an autumn exhibition, get in touch…