Charleston Farmhouse

Outside Charleston Farmhouse, 1992

My love of Charleston began in the 1980s when I went to live in Sussex. Like many who visit, I was enchanted by the place; a space which presented decorative style within a domestic context, it made complete sense to me.

On each visit we’d see a different guide, and were consequently given many and varied anecdotes.

Learning of the coming together of ideas, how artists and writers would gather at the newly established home of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant in 1916, at a time when others were at war.

As a group they created a very special place, inspired by Italian fresco painting, they decorated walls, doors and furniture.

The rooms feature examples of portraits, ceramics, mosaics, furniture, textiles and murals created by the occupants and visitors who were later to be known as The Bloomsbury Group.

During the pandemic in 2020, a charity auction was set up in order to raise funds for the temporarily closed house. I took the opportunity to make a painting which sold at the auction (below).

‘Zinnia’ acrylic on wood, for the Charleston charity auction 2020