A new exhibition titled 'Colour Shape Pattern' has opened at the Wolsey Art Gallery in Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich, featuring modern artworks by leading international artists. The show includes prints by David Hockney and René Magritte on loan from the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, alongside highlights from Ipswich’s own collection of modern and contemporary art. Artists and sculptors represented include Bridget Riley, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Josef Albers, Sonia Delaunay, Margaret Mellis, Graham Crowley, and Dale Devereux Barker. A new bird-inspired artwork by Suffolk artist Lily Hammond was created especially for the exhibition. The show is sponsored by Kerseys Solicitors LLP and runs until 22 February 2026.
This exhibition matters because it brings world-class artworks to a regional museum, making modern art accessible to local audiences and visitors. By combining loans from a major institution like the Fitzwilliam Museum with pieces from Ipswich’s own collection, it strengthens cultural connections between Cambridge and Ipswich. The family-friendly, interactive focus encourages community engagement with art, and the inclusion of a newly commissioned work by a local artist highlights support for regional creative talent. Such shows help sustain public interest in smaller museums and reinforce the value of free or low-cost cultural offerings.