Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service
Change in Charcoal: An artist’s view of demolition

10 October – 2 January

In 2005 Valerie Irwin took her sketchbook to Ipswich Marina and began to draw. Working in charcoal and on-site in all weathers, there were constant changes to inspire her work. For the first time Gallery 3 will show Irwin’s unique collection of drawings about the demolition of one of the most significant buildings – Cranfield’s Flour Mill.

This new exhibition displays 39 drawings, recently acquired by Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service. The exhibition also includes some drawings kindly loaned by Valerie Irwin, from her own collection.

The exhibition offers visitors the chance to produce their own drawings, which they can then take away with them. Visitors will be able to produce their own drawings using pencil and paper and may even take inspiration from the photographs of the marina, which are also part of the exhibition.

A designated area of the exhibition will allow visitors to leave behind their own memories of Cranfield’s Flour Mill.

Art Curator for Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service, Emma Roodhouse, said “Ipswich waterfront has inspired many artists in the past because of the constant activity and change in the area. Valerie’s dedication to drawing the demolition of Cranfield’s Flour Mill, almost as an unofficial artist in residence, reflects that change. We now have a great opportunity to show such a unique collection of drawings in Gallery 3.”

Valerie Irwin is an artist who works from life by direct observation of her chosen subject or motif. She works in the medium of detailed charcoal drawings and coloured sketches. Whilst at the marina she became absorbed in the process of the men activating the machines, which in turn changed the shape of the buildings and the space around them. The body of drawings of her observations at the marina includes measured drawings, studies, and action drawings of processes and sequences. Valerie created 2,900 A2 working and complete drawings and filled 22 A4 sketch books during her time spent on site.

Artist, Valerie Irwin, added “I had been visiting the site on odd occasions for three weeks, as from 12th September 2005. I was just fascinated by the movement of the machinery and the impact it seemed to be having on the Mill; each time I visited the waste ground new shapes had appeared as parts disappeared, only to reveal what was behind the structures- interesting unusual shapes of half eaten walls; twisted steel; gaping holes and gaps where once a structure had stood.”

Change in Charcoal will be accompanied by a range of special events including a guided tour of the exhibition with Valerie Irwin and art workshops for both adults and children. To find out more about the special events a leaflet can be picked up from any of the museums.

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