Lectures

For many people, Kashmir conjures up a beautiful valley surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas, for others it is a land of conflict. But what is less well known is that it has been of historic artistic importance for nearly 2000 years. This lecture introduces the astonishing diversity of arts and crafts produced in this tiny area, influenced by Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic cultures. It explores Buddhist sculptures, Hindu temples, great Islamic gardens, paintings, calligraphy, Moghul carpets and Kashmir shawls. Despite its troubled history, Kashmir has fostered a unique environment of artistic diversity and religious co-existence.

Zara Fleming is an independent art consultant, tour guide, and exhibition curator with specialist knowledge of Buddhist art. She focusses on the art and culture of Tibet and the Himalayas. Early in her career she was at the V & A Tibetan, Himalayan and Burmese collections. Since then she has travelled extensively in these areas.

Please note this lecture is now on the third Wednesday of June, the 18th, but the times of 10.30 and 12.30 are unchanged

A colouful introduction to the secret world of our 2000-mile inland waterway network which looks at all aspects of the exceptional artistic, architectural and engineering vernacular.  This lecture provides a colourful introduction to the secret world of our 2000-mile inland waterway network and looks at all aspects of their exceptional artistic, architectural and engineering vernacular. Features range from sweeping aqueducts to tiny bollards; from colourful historic narrowboats to 'Roses and Castles' artwork; from grand World Heritage Sites to quirky listed buildings. A well-known architectural historian once described our canals as a 'poor man's art gallery'.

The speaker is a specialist in canal history, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a Licentiate of the Royal Photographic Society.