Artwork from all ages is celebrated at Bedford Park Festival

Over 100 works of art by 80 local artists of all ages were showcased at the Bedford Park Festival last week. This was the 30th year of the community exhibition, organised this year by Jim Cox, an artist himself.

All pieces were for sale with a third of the proceeds going to Festival charities, (selected by St Michael and All Angels Church), and the remaining two thirds to the artists. Organiser and artist Jim Cox said they expect to raise around £10,000 at this year’s exhibition.

This years charities included The Mulberry Centre, a drop-in centre in Isleworth for anyone affected by a diagnosis of cancer, and Msaada, a charity assisting the people of Rwanda affected by the 1994 genocide by establishing self-help income-generating projects. Money raised also went to The Upper Room, a charity providing help for the needy in West London.

From bird sculptures to children’s paintings, the exhibition was certainly not lacking in variety. Amongst the works were two of famous artist Francis Bowyer’s paintings, one depicting his back garden and the other a sunset in Suffolk.

Penelope Madden, wife of director John Madden, had given one of her oil paintings to the exhibition. The painting portrayed a crowded street scene in Jaipur, and organiser Jim explained that she had painted in India whilst accompanying her husband there for the shooting of the film ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’.

As well as including works from acclaimed artists, there were also paintings by art teachers and children. Several paintings were of local scenes such as Linda Cocks’s oils of Kew Bridge. Jim Cox said that the great thing about the art exhibition is that ‘it gives everyone in the community an opportunity to display their work.’ As only local people could participate, the exhibition annually provides a unique opportunity for aspiring artists.

Jim had donated a painting of Chiswick House to the raffle, and the winner is to be announced by vicar Kevin Morris on Sunday 26th June, after the Festival mass at the church.

Lucy Barnes

June 17, 2016