Doug Patterson: Travelling Artist

From the Egyptian Pyramids to Suffolk landscapes, this exhibition spans past journeys to sacred places Doug has visited, and panorama landscapes of Suffolk, a project he began once the pandemic hit and he returned to Suffolk to shield.

The Suffolk landscapes are 180 degree vistas, which developed into ‘accurate inaccurate’ illustrations of what is seen and not seen, including introducing obscured architectural elements which become part of the vistas.

Doug Patterson, Travelling Artist, on his Apex Gallery exhibition...

"In 2020 I moved from London to my Suffolk house to shield as I was vulnerable owing to previously having been treated for leukemia, I had been working on a series of artworks illustrating the journey of David Robert, who visited Egypt in 1840 and illustrated the monuments of the ancient Egyptians pre-excavation. Following my move I decided to abort this project and change direction totally to concentrate on panorama landscapes.

I was very influenced by a Suffolk artist who I first discovered in 1980 - Harry Becker, and I rediscovered his incredible drawings and his depiction of Suffolk. As I had aborted my Egyptian project, and started cycling throughout the surrounding country side where I live, I appreciated the Suffolk landscape and the changing seasons, the movement of the sky.

These revelations and relooking at Harry Becker's work again totally inspired me to develop a series of two metre wide plein air panoramas in charcoal drawings. The year passed and for me drawing and listening to music and the glorious summer inspired my landscapes, which are 180 degree vistas, which developed into accurate inaccurate illustrations of what is seen and not seen including introducing obscured architectural elements which became part of the vistas.

So, my current exhibition is a mixture of past journeys to sacred places I have visited over the years, and my current landscapes which are scanned copies of drawings produced on location, using a collapsible table to prepare the charcoal drawings which are then printed on drum scanner."

Email dougpattersonartist@googlemail.com or visit Doug's website. Or watch his 'A Year in Suffolk' YouTube video or his 'From Ancient Egypt to Suffolk Landscapes' YouTube video.

Opening hours:
Mondays to Saturdays: 9.30am-4.30pm
Sundays: 10.30am-4pm

Occasionally, the Apex Gallery is closed to the public. If you are travelling specifically to see an exhibition, please call the Box Office on 01284 758000 before your visit.

The Apex Gallery is situated on the first floor. Drinks bought from The Apex Cafe in the foyer can be taken upstairs, so feel free to relax on the sofas with a drink and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

The vast majority of works on display are for sale. For further information, please ask at the Box Office.