An exhibition based on the collection of Victor Skipp, a local historian whose art hoard contained everything from 18th century Mughal miniatures to minimal 20th century art, has recently opened at Kettle’s Yard.
An exhibition based on the collection of Victor Skipp, a local historian whose art hoard contained everything from 18th century Mughal miniatures to minimal 20th century art, has recently opened at Kettle’s Yard.
It offers a wonderful view into the extraordinary mind of Victor Skipp and you can really see how the house at Kettle's Yard inspired him
Susie Biller
Kettle’s Yard is proud to present a new exhibition based on the extensive collection of Victor Skipp, a historian and writer who died in 2010, leaving his estate to Kettle's Yard.
Though Skipp specialised academically in writing about the West Midlands Industrial Revolution, his eclectic personal interests in art and philosophy saw him collect innumerable pieces from a range of countries and periods whilst retired at his Suffolk home.
Entitled “A Lasting Legacy”, this unique exhibition at Kettle’s Yard presents visitors with an insight into Skipp’s fascinating life and collection, where minimalist art is placed side by side with tribal rugs, African sculpture and a range of objects reflecting his interest in pre-industrial African and Asian societies.
Susie Biller, Head of Communications for Kettle’s Yard, said about the exhibition, ‘It offers a wonderful view into the extraordinary mind of Victor Skipp and you can really see how the house at Kettle's Yard inspired him. The recreations of displays of objects from his house gives a flavour of what Skipp’s house was like. We are delighted to be celebrating this extraordinarily generous legacy in this way.’
Particularly in the later years of his life, Kettle’s Yard became increasingly influential on Skipp’s thinking about how art could be integrated into everyday life. His home was a living museum, a place where different strands of art and philosophy happily co-existed and his wide ranging interests were displayed. He also had an extensive book collection, with a library containing many works of 20th century poetry, literature and literary criticism.
Skipp’s art collection encompasses everything from exquisite 17th and 18th century Indian miniature paintings, to works by leading modern and contemporary British artists including Ivon Hitchens, Ceri Richards, Francis Davidson, Terry Frost, and Linda Karshan. The exhibition displays a selection of these works, key books from his extensive library and recreates sections of the house that reflect Skipp’s original vision.
A film by Candida Richardson is also on show, entitled ‘The Taj Mahal of Hopton’, it documents the original house and collection and captures the environment of this special and unique place.
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