Michaelmas culture cruise

Greetings freshers and fellow not-so-fresh Cantabs! If you haven't realised by now, Cambridge, for a small city, is pretty damn packed full of culture. You can't walk far down King's Parade without being struck by the Medieval architecture, galleries, tours, plays etc. etc. etc. that this place is stuffed to the brim with.

If we go down the arty route, you'll never lack for the chance to indulge in a bit of creative endeavour. From life drawing classes to art exhibitions, you're sure to find something to your fancy. Here is just a little round up of what is on offer this Michaelmas.

The Fitzwilliam Museum

This exhibition is inspired by the work of author Virginia Woolf and uses her writings 'to explore feminist perspectives on landscape, domesticity and identity.'

The exhibition aims to draw creative connections between Woolf, her contemporaries, and others who have been influenced by her work – it includes over 80 artists from the mid 19th century to the modern day. A highlight is the original manuscript of 2 lectures Woolf gave at Newnham and Girton in 1928 which became the basis for her book 'A Room of One's Own'.

2nd Oct 2018 – 9th Dec 2018

Free

Heong Gallery

Artist Stuart Pearson Wright explores the ambiguity of his paternal heritage, having been conceived via anonymous sperm donation in 1975.

Pearson Wright's chance find of a box of childhood photographs (most having thought to have been lost decades before) led to the creation of Halfboy.

Known primarily as a portraitist (he won the BP Portrait Award in 2000 and a commission to paint J.K. Rowling) Pearson Wright’s paintings for Halfboy are inspired from these reconstructed memories and mementos of his childhood.

2nd Nov 2018 – 6th Feb 2019

Free

Kettle's Yard

Working in 1940s New York, Pousette-Dart was part of the Abstract Expressionism movement, his contemporaries including Pollock, Rothko and De Kooning. Known largely for his layered paintings, he also delved into sculpture and photography.

He met Jim Ede, creator of Kettle's Yard, in New York in 1940 and research into their correspondence over later decades in the 20th century has inspired this show. It is the first solo exhibition of Pousette-Dart ever in Britain, most of the works are on loan from American galleries and collections and have never been displayed here before.

23rd Oct 2018 – 6th Jan 2019

Free

New Hall Art Collection

Based at Murray Edwards, the New Hall Art collection has the largest collection of modern and contemporary art by female artists in Europe.

Whilst currently hosting the exhibition 'Reproductivites: Remaking Life,' which includes work by artists such as Gina Glover and Camilla Lyon, the collection also hosts film screenings, talks, tours and performances.

Upcoming events include a screening of Claire Denis' 'Chocolat' (21st Oct), artistic immerse performance 'Transpositions,' (24th Oct) in response to the 'Reproductivities' exhibition, and 'A Black Women's Art Tour,' (28th Oct) which explores the art by women of colour within the collection.

'Reproductivities' runs 24th June – 30th Nov 2018

All these events are free, although screenings and tours must be booked via Eventbrite

The Fleapit

A student art society, based at Magdalene college, the Fleapit hosts film screenings, poetry nights and exhibitions based around student work and talent.

Earlier this term they hosted a 'poetry and pres' night and upcoming events include a showing of a showing of Sean Baker's 'The Florida Project' and of 'Andrei Rublev,' a biographical film of an icon painter, set in 15th century Russia. This particular screening will be introduced by theologian, poet and former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, Master of Magdalene College, who rates it as one of his top film picks.

Film screenings are £1 entry.

The Fitzwilliam Museum Society

This student run society has a programme of art and heritage related events this term, including craft and drawing workshops and art-inspired film nights.

The two speakers for Michaelmas are Desmond Shawe-Taylor, surveyor of the Queen's collection on 'What do you want with Art? The Public and its collections,' and Alice Procter (aka. The Exhibitionist), who will discuss the themes of her highly publicised and popular 'Uncomfortable art tours,' which explore major galleries' legacies of colonial violence and imperialism.

Talks are free. Craft workshops are free for members. £3 for non-members.

Run free, and immerse yourself in some ~culture~.