The Uttlesford Open 2023

A Sense of Place: People, Places and Landscape of Uttlesford

The Uttlesford Open 2023 is Saffron Walden Museum’s first open call art exhibition, showcasing artistic talent from across Uttlesford. Open to anyone, from complete beginners to seasoned professionals, this exhibition gives local artists and craftspeople the chance to have their work exhibited in this historic museum building.

Artists were invited to submit artworks on the theme of “A Sense of Place: People, Places and Landscape of Uttlesford”. Guest judges Heath Kane and Ian Wolter selected Winning and Highly Commended entries for our four judging categories: Best 2D, Best 3D, Best response to theme and Most creative response. The pieces on display here represent the breadth of creativity and talent from across our district.

Saffron Walden Museum would like to thank:

Ian Wolter and Heath Kane for giving up their time to carefully consider and select winners from the nearly 100 artworks submitted to the exhibition and for their kind donation of trophies for the winners.

Saffron Walden Community Shed for making the 2D and 3D lions for the accompanying summer art trail.

The Arts Society, Saffron Walden, for providing funding to deliver the art trail and associated craft activities.

To all our partnership venues for hosting lions on the summer art trail.

And the biggest thank you of all to all the participating artists, makers and families who submitted artworks to the exhibition or helped us decorate the lions – we couldn’t have done it without you!

You can preview the works on display in the exhibition below along with other works that were entered but were not selected for display.

Click on a picture to see it in a larger view with the information text.

Artist's name: Francoise Mouchet-Davis Title: Saffron Walden maze in Autumn Year created. 2023 Medium: Acrylics Price: SOLD

The maze in Saffron Walden is a legendary historical feature of our town, changes in each season and my little girl loved running around it all the way to the centre and be proud of her achievement! I painted it in the Spring of this year from a photograph, trying to convey the unique shapes and autumnal colours.

Artist's name: Francoise Mouchet-Davis Title: The old drinking Fountain tap on Saffron Walden Market Square Year created. 2023 Medium: Acrylics Price : £150

The fountain is working again but the old tap has been replaced by a modern one. I took this photo years ago, and I wanted to focus on the beautiful metal structure holding it to the stone, which could go unnoticed if you look at the whole elaborate monument.

Artist's name: Deborah Smith Title: The Secret Club in the Tree Year created: 2023 Medium: Acrylic Price: £125

At the back of Sworders Field, Bishops Stortford, resides a sprawling tree, which oversees the changing landscapes of the playground and town itself. The Secret Club in the Tree reflects on my son and nephew, as they spent an afternoon scrambling up and down the branches, conducting secret meetings and holding kingdom over the park.

Artist's name: Donna Goymer Title: Time to reflect Year created. 2023 Medium: Photography Price: £125

This image was taken during a walk near Ashdon. I was spending some quiet time to myself and allowing myself time to reflect on recent events. The landscape soothes and quietens the mind. It allows an inner peace. This emotional bond to the landscape around my home comforts and strengthens me.

Artist's name: James Bashford Title: Conference Year created: 2023 Medium: Ink on paper/digital photography Price: £230

Compiled from 295 moths, Conference represents democratic resolution of the biodiversity crisis through the conceptual abandonment of international borders. Such close dialogue and restored equality are prerequisites to achieve unified global action on this critical issue of our time. Three quarters of the displayed moths were attracted to light overnight in the artist’s Uttlesford garden. All moths were photographed between April-October 2022 and were safely released the following morning

Artist's name: Denise Coles Title: John Dorewards Almshouses Bocking (aka The Royal Almshouses) Year created. 2019 Medium: Acrylic on canvas board Price: £120

Founded in 1550 and subject to rebuilds and additions, these almshouses remain as homes for vulnerable adults in the spirit of John Doreward the benefactor. Situated at the foot of a steep hill, close to Kings Bridge, these homes are a significant feature of Bocking and offer a 'Sense of Place'.

Artist's name: Denise Coles Title: Bridge Brickies Year created. 2022 Medium: Acrylic on canvas board Price: £140

Kings Bridge Bocking, built in 1914 to commemorate the reign of Edward Vll and the coronation of George V is a key feature of the village. Bridging a former ford over the River Pant and on a tight corner, it is susceptible to traffic damage and in 2022 repairs were carried out after a significant section was demolished. The shaped bricks had to be specially made in Bulmer. This being coronation year, this bridge has a special 'Sense of Place'.

Artist's name: Diane Firth Title: 5th Altar Boy - Sister Act 2023 Year created. 2023 Medium: Oil and gold leaf on canvas board Price: £200

This painting is a portrait of an actor in role in this year’s production of Sister Act by the Saffron Walden Musical Theatre Company at the Saffron Walden Town Hall. The role of 5th Altar Boy was brought to life by Simon Firth and responds to the theme by showing both a real and a fictional person in Uttlesford.

Artist's name: Diane Firth Title: Monsignor O’Hara - Sister Act 2023 Year created. 2023 Medium: Oil and gold leaf on canvas board Price: £200

This painting is a portrait of an actor in role in this year’s production of Sister Act by the Saffron Walden Musical Theatre Company at the Saffron Walden Town Hall. The role of Monsignor O’Hara was brought to life by Jason Austin-Guest and responds to the theme by showing both a real and a fictional person in Uttlesford

Artist's name: Dai Roberts Title: Ascension Year created. 2021 Medium: Oil on Board Price: £750

Since moving to Uttlesford I have become interested in are the Mazes of Saffron Walden and the Victorian obsession with them. The Labyrinth or Turf Maze on the common I find especially interesting, how it reveals itself to you through your activity in it, walking it you feel the rhythm and intention of the people who created it. I hope the abstract nature of my artwork and the need to explore it reveals something for the viewer in line with this.

Artist's name: James Bashford Title: Atlas Year created: 2023 Medium: Ink on paper/digital photography Price: £192

Made up of 305 moths, Atlas depicts the changing world around us. Just as the mythological Titan of the same name was condemned to support the world on his shoulders for eternity, we are critically reliant on invertebrates as the bedrock of the animal food chain. Three quarters of the displayed moths were attracted to light overnight in the artist’s Uttlesford garden. All moths were photographed between April-October 2022 and were safely released the following morning

Artist's name: Cathy Ward Title: The Walled Garden at Audley End; a picture of beauty, practicality and provision. Year created. 2020 Medium: Textile quilt Price: Not for sale

This quilt comprises 3 layers. The top is a patchwork of different shaped, inherited fabrics sewn together, in this case by sewing machine, to reflect an impression of the garden; with vegetable and flower beds, walls, paths and gates and wild nature outside. The middle is a padded layer to provide warmth and depth. The bottom layer and the bound edge help to hold everything in place. The 3 layers have been further secured or quilted by decorative hand stitching which also helps to define and enhance the design. It was both absorbing and relaxing to create something beautiful and useful, focused on the enduring nature of the outdoors, during the early days of lockdown.

The walled garden at Audley End represents continuity in Uttlesford between a strong characterful past and a vibrant present with inspiration for a bright and promising future. The hands-on traditional approach to organic local food production and horticulture, using volunteers as well as employees in community, talks to modern-day themes of sustainability, freshness and low food miles. The garden also provides a haven for wildlife and for people; a peaceful place to enjoy and in which to reflect upon God’s amazing provision for us in this busy and over-developed world.

Artists name: Carol Knights Title: HEDGE Year created: 2023 Medium: watercolour and acrylic Price: £50

I thought that the houseowner, the dog and the dog's owner would each have a different 'sense of place' if any sense at all.
The houseowner is within his own space, protected from prying eyes by his huge laurel hedge and he would feel secure and possibly smug. The dog would be happy to have found the pristine boundary marker and is busily marking it as his place. The dog owner, patiently waiting for the dog to finish would probably be daydreaming about getting home to a nice cup of tea and relaxing in his space.

Artist's name: Cathy Ward Title: The Remnant; a little piece of Uttlesford countryside escaping destruction by construction-for now! Year created: 2019 Medium: Textile quilt Price (including commission): Not for sale

This quilt was inspired by our beautiful local countryside and wildlife in Uttlesford - a reminder of God’s marvellous creation and provision for us. Much of this is now under threat of, or already underneath, indiscriminate and unrestrained construction and ‘development’. We must value what we have been given and work out how to balance eco-diversity, food production and human habitation whilst preserving beautiful, oxygen-producing, open and green spaces for our all-round well-being. Let’s give thanks and take stock before it’s too late!

Artist’s name: Carole Gray Title: Contemplation Year created: 2023 Medium: Stained glass panel: copperfoiled & leaded with sandblasted details. Price : £295 On oak display stand (included in price).

This work references the turf labyrinth in Saffron Walden; such mazes were traditionally used by many different faiths for spiritual centering, contemplation and prayer. Around the sandblasted centre, the sections of sandblasted glass link to the countryside surrounding Saffron Walden, while the border is in the colours of the saffron flowers for which the town is famous.