New art exhibition to celebrate Britain’s ‘Great Buildings’

‘Great Buildings’ by artist Pip Shuckburgh will go on show at the pop-up gallery in Market Square, Bampton, beginning on May 2 and running until May 30.

The exhibition features a collection of oil paintings capturing stately homes and historic buildings, including Highclere Castle, Blenheim Palace, Somerset House, and Horseguard’s Parade.

Many of the works are on loan from the houses themselves.

It is the first time these paintings will be displayed together in one place.

Ms Shuckburgh said: “It is wonderful to have an opportunity to show so many of my past works, particularly those great houses which allowed me to treat the paintings as if I were painting a stage set, with the story played out in the foreground.

“I think perhaps I had a childhood dream of being a stage set designer.

“Certainly, the process has fascinated me for my entire life.”

The exhibition marks 50 years since Ms Shuckburgh began her career as an illustrator for Duckworth publishers and 25 years since she switched to oil painting.

Her professional journey began at the age of 22, when she was commissioned by Colin Haycraft of Duckworth to illustrate a book written by Patrice Chaplin – Charlie Chaplin’s daughter-in-law.

She worked out of the ‘Old Piano Factory’ alongside literary figures such as Lord Deedes and Beryl Bainbridge.

Ms Shuckburgh went on to produce illustrations for the Oxford University Press, The Times Atlas, the Sunday Times Wine Club, and many other publishers.

Her commercial clients have included the British Museum, ICI, Pedigree Pet Foods, and Vitalin.

While raising two children, she also painted miniature pictures of birds and mammals on eggshells, which were sold through Fortnum and Mason.

She has created murals in homes in Kensington and Notting Hill and designed faux Chinese lacquer furniture for the Canadian market.

When she turned to oil painting, she joined Prue Pardue’s C21 group and began receiving commissions to paint stately homes.

Her influences include L.S. Lowry and Edward Hopper.

More recently, she has painted industrial sites and domestic scenes that sometimes verge on the abstract.

The exhibition is being held with the support of Marc and Kristy Bowles.

During Bampton’s Artweeks, Ms Shuckburgh’s studio will also be open to the public.

Visitors will be able to buy more recent works during that time.

Other artists’ studios in Bampton will also be open, including the West Oxfordshire Arts Society gallery in the Town Hall, which will welcome visitors throughout the month.