Venetia Norris with two of her layered drawings.
Venetia Norris displays the beautiful artworks that resulted from her residency at North London Collegiate School
By James Brewer
“What on earth are you doing?” That would be a first reaction from some of the girls who came upon artist Venetia Norris sketching on her pad and taking brass rubbings at the entrance and in the grounds of North London Collegiate School.
As she began her residency at the highly-rated school, Venetia was delighted by the students’ curiosity, for it led to many discussions about the technicalities and techniques of creating art, and its place in society.
Venetia Norris showing her work to our team
That was back in early May 2015.
Five months later, Venetia’s works in full flower came back to the school as a magnificent series to adorn the gallery of the academy’s smart, up-to-the-minute Performing Arts Centre.
The temporary exhibition opened on October 15 and is sure to encourage many of the pupils to develop and experiment with their artistic abilities, for the girls-only school already places a strong emphasis on many aspects of the arts.
School headmistress Bernice McCabe (at the centre) opened the brief ceremonies by extending a warm welcome to people who had travelled from all parts of London and beyond
The London artist welcomed to her private view evening the staff of the school, its alumni past and present, and friends and acquaintances from the worlds of arts and commerce, including West End experts in theatrical costume (a profession in which Venetia was once involved), and the energy sector.
Guests admired her work in various combinations of pen, pencil, gouache, graphite, paint and wire, incorporating the brass rubbings that she had taken from various parts of the school premises.
School headmistress Bernice McCabe opened the brief ceremonies by extending a warm welcome to people who had travelled from all parts of London and beyond, and thanking Venetia for the enthusiastic way in which she had contributed to the life of the school. Ms McCabe, who has been in charge of the school since 1997, stressed the importance of close engagement with the arts in the educational process.
Five of Venetia Norris’ layered drawings; photo by Graham Ryder
Others on the staff who were present to praise the exhibited work included James Robinson, director of arts and design.
The independent day school, which is open to girls from the age of four to 18, was founded in Camden Town 1850, and since 1940 has been established within the 30 acres of Canons Park (named after the monks of an Augustinian monastery), between Edgware and Stanmore. While retaining an air of old-school elegance, the school estate has had its interior tastefully modernised and added special facilities, notably the 350-seat performing arts centre, designed by a former student, where successful plays have been staged.
Venetia’s portfolio was created amid the lively rhythm of the school day – a considerable contrast to the solitary setting in which she normally works in her studio – which inspired her to create what she called “a conversation in lines.” She aimed to produce “work that had a real and tangible connection to the physical architecture, ” hence her interest in taking rubbings of the architectural details of older arts of the premises and in the garden.
Lena Basta, Venetia Norris and Anny Zade
Titles she chose for the works included Oak Portal, Iron Flight, Exterior Fancy, Radiating History, and Leaded Lights.
Judging by the lively conversations which accompanied the formal showing of her works in the semi-circular gallery of the performing arts centre, this was an ideal backdrop for the retelling of what to Venetia was an inspiring practical experience. For more information, see www.venetianorris.com
The grand entrance to North London Collegiate School.
