Mark Angus and Jilly Sutton

Famous son returns home with Flying Figures art exhibition

July 2011 

 

The latest exhibition by a renowned local stained glass artist will be premiered at Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Victoria Art Gallery from Saturday 23 July.

 

Originally from Bath, Mark Angus is one of Europe’s best stained glass artists. His stunning work for churches and cathedrals in England and Germany is well known, but his freestanding glass figures go on public view for the first time in his home city.

 

Mark will lead a free tour of his exhibition, entitled Flying Figures, on Saturday 23 July from 1pm to 1.45pm, for which early arrival is advised.

 

Councillor Cherry Beath, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, said: “It’s an absolute delight to welcome back Mark with his fantastic works of art, all which are for sale.  “His unique and intricate creations are inspirational and his success epitomises Bath & North East Somerset Council’s vision for the district to be a distinctive place, with vibrant communities where everyone fulfils their potential.”

 

Mark Angus reinvigorates the traditions of the stained glass artists of the past, who created spiritual spaces through marrying light and narrative images, in his own exceptional way – with stained glass windows and panels which are uncompromisingly modern, colourful and expressive.

 

Jon Benington, manager of the Council-run Victoria Art Gallery, said: “In the last ten years, whilst living and working both in Bath and in Bavaria, Mark’s interest in the male figure has developed. This exhibition is the culmination of several years investigating the theme of eternal youth, which has taken on a slightly autobiographical aspect with the installation Flying Book.

 

“Through a mixture of abstraction and figurative depictions, his artworks challenge interpretation without abandoning mystery, wonder and also doubt. The subject matters covered in his work feature the journey, transformation, transitions and border areas of life.

 

“Present work interests include much more exhibition panels and paintings, predominantly featuring the human figure. He works with mouth-blown flashed glass and uses the expressive potentials of glass painting, staining, etching and lead line, and his glowingly-coloured diving and backlit figures explore the theme of eternal youth.”

 

Since 1978, Mark Angus has created more than 300 windows and installations for churches, cathedrals, public spaces and private houses, many of them in the bath area.

 

Flying Figures runs at the Victoria Art Gallery from 23 July to 2 October 2011. The Bath & North East Somerset Council-run gallery offer free admission and is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-5pm and Sunday 1.30-5pm, closed Mondays. For more information call 01225 477244 or visit http://www.victoriagal.org.uk/.

 

ENDS