It was a great privilege to work with L Cornelissen & Son at 105 Great Russell Street in London (just along from the British Museum) to mount the very first exhibition they have had at the shop. They are on a very busy thoroughfare and most people visiting the British Museum go past their front door. The exhibition was in the window and so it could be seen even when the shop was closed. The shop itself is wonderful as can be seen on the right – and it really is almost impossible not to go inside! Kathy Pearlson from Cornelissen, who set up the exhibition, did a terrific job of making sure that every piece could be seen and that the exhibition looked wonderful.

The exhibition was arranged on behalf of the Heritage Crafts Association for London Craft Week 2016, echoing the theme of ‘paper’ for their first anniversary. Some of the best calligraphers and illuminators in the country were asked to submit one or two pieces of their work on vellum for the exhibition, and the response was terrific! For those who didn’t mange to see it, here are some of the pieces exhibited. The photographs were kindly taken by Yanko Tihov. On the right: Sam Somerville.

 

 

 

Tim Noad, on the right

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Noble (this piece is tiny!)

 

 

 

 

 

Ronnie Cruwys – also see her website ‘Drawing the Street‘, and again a small piece

 

 

Ann Hechle

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patricia Lovett, another small piece

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter Thornton, small again

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter Halliday (I am featuring this piece in my British Library book, The Art and History of Calligraphy, to be published in 2017).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ewan Clayton

 

 
John Woodcock (another tiny piece)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gemma Black

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jan Pickett

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jan Mehigan

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cathy Stables

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lin Kerr