‘I am convinced that Cambridge would benefit so much if every College had an artist in residence.’

When the artist Yelena Popova spoke to Prerona Prasad about her art and influences. Yelena Popova is a Nottingham-based artist of Russian origin. Trained at the Moscow Art Theatre School and the Royal College of Art, London, Popova’s practice is wide ranging, including painting, digital projections, and installations. Since her residency at Girton College (2016-17),

Wicked Lady

The seventh chapter in Stanley French’s The History of Downing College Cambridge (Downing College Association, 1978) is simply titled ‘Wicked Lady’. Anyone who reads the previous chapters would know exactly who was implied in the title. Lady Margaret Downing was at the centre of a scandal and fierce court battle that would determine the fate

…SPLAT!

…or why an 18th-century portrait of Margaret Downing is at the centre of WE ARE HERE: Women in Art at Cambridge Colleges. The first time anyone at Downing College heard about the portrait of the infamous Margaret Downing was in December 1945, when Rt Revd Philip Loyd, Lord Bishop of St Albans, wrote to the

Activity: Lady Downing and Friends

We know that Thomas Gainsborough painted several society ladies in and around Bath in 1763. We can tell they were painted around the same time because of the similarity in poses and clothing. Pretty as they are, their dresses can do with a bit of colour. Try your hand at dressing these Gainsborough ladies. Download

Who runs the world?

Looking for an uplifting soundtrack with a feminist vibe? Look no further.

ACTIVITY: Do a 3D flower sketch

In these strange times, it is easy to forget that spring is on its way. Our Gallery Assistant chierkute has devised a simple spring activity to bring a spring to your step. In keeping with the flower theme for the week, do this 5-minute drawing exercise as a family, with friends, or on your own.

In Focus: Three Flower Paintings

When looking at works of art, we sometimes forget to ask one simple question- ‘Why is this here?’. All the works in WE ARE HERE: WOMEN IN ART AT CAMBRIDGE COLLEGES are owned by Colleges, or were displayed in them at some point. The three exceptional flower paintings discussed in this blog are no different.

Introduction WE ARE HERE: Women in Art at Cambridge Colleges

Dr Prerona Prasad, curator of WE ARE HERE at The Heong Gallery at Downing College, introduces the exhibition. “Eleven years after a human set foot on the moon, the first women undergraduates crossed the threshold of Downing College to take their places as full members. Downing’s own ‘one small step for a man’ would take

A Message from The Heong Gallery

COVID-19 Update

The Heong Gallery is closed until 30 March 2020, when we will review advice on precautions to minimise the spread of COVID-19. We will miss all our visitors, but our priority must be to keep our visitors and staff safe during this unprecedented health emergency. We will keep in touch through videos and podcasts when