Must-see exhibitions in the East of England
Want to catch the must-see exhibitions in the East of England? From a series of intimate portrait paintings at Firstsite to fashion photography at Gainsborough's House, don't miss out on these phenomenal shows.
The East of England is rich in cultural landmarks – from the stunning Jacobean architecture of Audley End House and Gardens in Saffron Walden, with its grounds designed by Capability Brown, to the world-renowned collections at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, home to over 500,000 works of art.
A day out here could include exploring the archaeological collections at Colchester Castle, which span 2,500 years of history, or wandering through Kettle's Yard in Cambridge, where modern art is displayed across a series of elegant rooms. And if you're looking to hone in on the very best exhibitions currently on show in the area, this is the list you've been looking for.
Read on for our guide to some of the biggest blockbuster exhibitions in the East of England open now.
Don't forget to pack your National Art Pass to get great benefits at every venue, and check out our full listings for more upcoming exhibitions.
Discover some of the best exhibitions in the East of England with an Art Pass
Rise Up: Resistance, Revolution, Abolition
Uncover the stories of the people who fought to abolish the British slave trade and learn about the aftermath and ongoing struggles for social justice today. This exhibition spotlights the historically overlooked stories of Black Georgians and Victorians, while recognising the leaders and revolutionaries across the world who were pivotal to the anti-slavery movement.
Margaret Cavendish: Trailblazer
Did you know? The 17th-century writer, poet and playwright Margaret Cavendish was also one a trailblazer of the science fiction genre. Hailing from Colchester during the turbulent Civil War, she ended up in London where she drew in crowds including Samuel Pepys, who heard her decry academia and feminist ideas.
Halla Groves-Raines: Life in Patterns
Peek at portraits of people living in Essex and Suffolk in a series of intimate paintings by Halla Groves-Raines that offer snapshots into their daily lives across the two regions. Halla's fascination with fabrics and patterns seep into her paintings to create a vibrant body of work.
Picture Perfect: A Century of Fashion Photography from the National Portrait Gallery
See style icons including Stormzy, The Beatles, Twiggy and Lily Cole captured by some of the world's most famous fashion photographers. Exploring the role of fashion in defining culture, this exhibition features images by Cecil Beaton, Irving Penn and Miles Aldridge that have shaped our ideas of style and celebrity over the years.
Lindsey Mendick: Hot Mess
Ceramic works by Lindsey Mendick are placed in and around the Sainsbury Centre’s main collection display, responding to the theme of the venue’s current season, ‘Why Do We Take Drugs?’ Exploring complicated feelings about alcohol and drinking socially, the pieces are dotted around to create the sense of the aftermath of a party, and nod to the work of artists including Francis Bacon and Tracey Emin.
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