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Home  >  Blog  >  Mum’s gone to the Sainsbury Centre, Norwich

Mum’s gone to the Sainsbury Centre, Norwich

Trish Burgess Posted on17/01/201830/01/2019 Norfolk, Norwich, Sainsbury Centre, things to do in Norwich 9 Comments
Hornbill carving at Sainsbury Centre
Late 19th Century wooden hornbill carving from Northern New Ireland.

I can always rely on my fellow bloggers to provide me with inspiration for a holiday or day trip. Early in November I discovered an intriguing art gallery thanks to Catherine’s Cultural Wednesdays. Catherine’s blog is full of fascinating posts about culture and the arts so I took note of her recommendation. The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts is in the grounds of the University of East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich. As we were heading to Suffolk a couple of weeks later, it made sense to drive via Norwich and take a look for ourselves.

Designed by renowned architect, Lord Norman Foster, the Sainsbury Centre was opened in 1978. Robert and Lisa Sainsbury donated their extensive art collection to the centre, having accumulated the items since the 1930s. It’s one of the most impressive art collections in the country,spanning 5000 years. Within this striking, modern building are examples of tribal art from across the globe and works from famous artists such as Degas, Picasso and Modigliani. There’s also a fabulous collection of 20th century ceramics collected by Lisa Sainsbury, including work by Rie and Coper.

 

Exhibits at Sainsbury Centre

You can easily spend a few hours here, discovering your favourite pieces – a silver llama effigy caught my eye, alongside a sculpture by Henry Moore. I guarantee you will also be enchanted by the number of miniatures on show: tiny sculptures requiring the visitor to peer intently into the glass cases. The items are beautifully lit, there is space to admire them and the lofty ceiling provides a calm, airy environment in which to just wander and stop and stare.

Selection of ehibits at Sainsbury Centre

 

Sainsbury Centre miniatures

We took a break for lunch (delicious soup) in the Modern Life Cafe but visitors can also try the smaller, specialist coffee shop, Kofra. There are views from both, looking out onto the lawns where more sculptures can be seen, including a new installation, the Tatlin Tower, a 10m high construction based on the famous design of Russian architect, Vladimir Tatlin. The tower is part of a temporary exhibition, Russia Season, which runs until 11 February. Radical Russia features work by avant-garde artists before and after the revolution: Royal Fabergé explores the intricate creations from this acclaimed jeweller.

I adored the Fabergé collection. Such exquisite work, especially the famous enamelled eggs. I had no idea our Royal Family owned Fabergé items: the Queen has loaned many pieces to the exhibition, including a vast collection of tiny jewelled animals from Sandringham. No photography was allowed inside the exhibition so you will have to imagine the dazzling and delicate creations.

Another temporary exhibition, not open during our visit, but running until 3 April, features work by Roger Law, one half of the Fluck and Law partnership which created Spitting Image. There are examples of his memorable puppets on show and the exhibition includes many porcelain objects as he is now better known as a major ceramic artist.

The permanent exhibitions at the Sainsbury Centre are free to enter but we thought it was worth using the money we’d saved to pay for entry to the temporary exhibition, Russia Season. Car parking is free in the nearby car park (P7): just pick up a permit from the centre’s reception desk. Explore the campus if the weather’s good to see if you can spot other sculptures: there are three by Henry Moore. If you look up to the roof of the library you’ll just manage to spy an Antony Gormley figure, Another Time II.

Antony Gormley figure on library roof, UEA

For more information about opening hours of the Sainsbury Centre, check out their website www.scva.ac.uk If you still need some retail therapy, you can always pick up a treat from the gorgeous little gift shop. We found some beautiful coffee cups which are now a permanent reminder of our visit. Until the next time, when we can add to the set…

This article also appeared as a Trish Takes Five article I wrote for the Lincolnshire Free Press. I’ve changed it slightly and added lots more photos for you to enjoy. 

Mother and Child sculpture by Henry Moore

Wander Mum

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9 Comments

  1. Sara Reply
    31/01/2018 at 3:27 pm

    Wow, those carvings are all so intricate, especially the hornbill!!! Do you ever look at these things and think it’s incredible that someone made them?? I definitely have no skills with carving or sculpture, so I’m always impressed! It looks like you were there on a good day that wasn’t too crowded so you could enjoy checking things out! That’s my favorite way to experience museums. 😉 #Citytripping

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      05/02/2018 at 1:44 pm

      Yes, I do! I’m not at all artistic and I’m always enthralled by such skills.
      It’s a lovely space and very quiet – maybe it’s the carpet of size of the room but it’s very enjoyable to visit, even if there at others around.

  2. Elizabeth (Wander Mum) Reply
    01/02/2018 at 1:34 pm

    I remember reading Catherine’s post and being amazed at this gallery – which I’d never heard of before. Thanks for the update, would love to visit one day. Thanks for linking to #citytripping

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      05/02/2018 at 1:42 pm

      We’ll definitely be returning – I need to keep an eye on future exhibitions.

  3. scots2travel Reply
    01/02/2018 at 7:08 pm

    Catherine’s post are really different and intelligent. Love them. Looks like another curious find!

  4. scots2travel Reply
    01/02/2018 at 7:15 pm

    #citytripping

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      05/02/2018 at 1:40 pm

      I agree, there’s always something in her post of interest. She was spot on with this gallery.

  5. Catherine's Cultural Wednesdays Reply
    05/02/2018 at 4:11 pm

    Glad you enjoyed yourself!

  6. Pingback: Southwold in Suffolk is a wonderful winter warmer - Mum's Gone To ...

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