Rediscovering the Great Bardfield Artists and a connection from my Cambridge past at the Fry Art Gallery, Saffron Walden
Two women in a garden by Eric Ravilious. Showing artist Tirzah Garwood on right.
A Visit to the Fry Art Gallery in Saffron Walden
Last week I spent a lovely day with friends and visited the Fry Art Gallery in Saffron Walden, We had the pleasure of exploring their current exhibition, Bardfield Murals: Ravilious, Bawden, Rowntree and others. This beautifully curated show reveals a lesser-known but fascinating chapter in British art history, showcasing the collaborative spirit of the Great Bardfield artist community. Also Finding a Home at the Fry, another collection featuring domestic scenes from artists lives, often with cats ! Like me you may be familiar with many of these artists but did you know about their collaborative, creative community and this wonderful art gallery?
Above: Details of a collaborative mural design by Bardfield artists.
Who Were the Great Bardfield Artists?
The Great Bardfield Artists were a group of painters, printmakers, and illustrators who lived and worked in the village of Great Bardfield, Essex, from the 1930s onward. Founding members included:
Edward Bawden
Eric Ravilious
Tirzah Garwood
John Aldridge
Sheila Robinson
Michael Rothenstein
They are known for their strong sense of community, sharing exhibitions and hosting open studios that welcomed the public into their creative world. Their work spanned fine art, book illustration, wallpaper, and textile design—blending modernism with English pastoral traditions.
Wonderfully varied display of artifacts by the Great Bardfield Artists
Edward Bawden Wallpapers recreated by St Jude's
A particular highlight was seeing the collection of wallpapers and the iconic Shiela Robinson , Tirzah Garwood and Edward Bawden wallpapers—originally created in the mid-20th century—now lovingly reproduced by the contemporary British brand St Jude’s. Their revival captures the wit and intricacy of Bawden’s original linocut designs, bringing them into today’s interiors with fresh relevance.
Tip: If you love design, these wallpapers are a must-see—charming, playful, and deeply rooted in British visual culture.
“Pigeon and Clocktower” Original block print wallpaper design by Edward Bawden. Now recreated by St Jude’s
Remembering Walter Hoyle: Artist and Tutor
Portrait of Walter Hoyle: British artist and printmaker (1922–2000)
This visit also brought back personal memories. I discovered that my former printmaking tutor, Walter Hoyle, one of the later Great Bardfield artists. Walter taught me during my Art Foundation course at Cambridge CCAT in 1984, the before his before he took retirement.
I remember Walter as a talented artist and a much respected tutor although he had a reputation for being very fierce. As a printmaking tutor he would give technical demonstrations in silence and no one was to speak. If you were called in to see him in his office/studio you would also be expected to remain silent. We loved Walter and admired his strict methods. If he spoke to anyone it was a rare event and everyone would crowd around to find out what Walter’s exact words had been! I remember clearly taking great pride in his approval of my portfolio and sketch books!
The printmaking studio situated in St Barnabas Church Hall on Mill Road Cambridge was a uniquely creative place which smelt of rich, oily inks, soflty melting etching grounds, smoke from burning tapers and a whiff of Sulphuric acid from the acid plate baths.
Walter’s own work—ranging from expressive prints to whimsical illustrations and paintings—sits beautifully within the Bardfield legacy. Seeing his pieces displayed alongside his contemporaries felt like reconnecting with an important step in my early creative path.
Printmaking was where I first had a taste of working with metal. Walter taught us various different techniques including etching plates in acid which gave the most wonderful textured results. Walter favoured deeply “bitten” etching effects which you can see in his work. Cutting zinc plates into various shapes was also a fascinating process favoured by Walter. I often preferred the materiality of the plates to the clean end result of the prints on paper! This love of working with the physical properties of metal is what has led me to creating metal sculpture in more recent years .
Browse my sculpture HERE! and subscribe to my mailing list to receive exhibition updates!
Plan Your Visit to the Fry Art Gallery
Posters of current exhibitions at the Fry Art Gallery.
If you’re interested in British modernism, printmaking, or design, the Fry Art Gallery in Saffron Walden is a must-visit. This small but rich gallery is dedicated to the Bardfield artists and holds a unique, often overlooked, chapter of British art history.
Exhibition on now: Bardfield Murals: Ravilious, Bawden, Rowntree and others
📍 Fry Art Gallery, Castle Street, Saffron Walden, Essex
The Great Barfields Artists sculpture by Ian Wolter at the entrance to the Fry Art Gallery, showing Walter Hoyle on the far right.
Final Thoughts:
Visiting the Fry Art Gallery reminded me how deeply connected personal histories can be to broader artistic legacies. Whether you're a collector, artist, or curious visitor, I highly recommend exploring the work of the Great Bardfield group.
Have you visited the Fry Gallery or discovered an inspiring teacher in your own art journey? I’d love to hear your story—leave a comment below!