On 23rd and 24th July 2022 there is to be an Exhibition for charity of the works of the late Norfolk artist Justin Barnard. 

It will run from 10 am - 4 pm on both days.

The Exhibition is to be held at Bergh Apton Village Hall, Cooke’s Road, Bergh Apton, Norfolk NR15 1AA.  Justin’s family has close ties with Bergh Apton and Justin lived in the adjoining village of Thurton for many years prior to his death.  The Exhibition is curated by his niece and nephew Elizabeth and Conrad Stewart, who intend to donate the net proceeds of the Exhibition to an urgent international appeal and three charities (see below).

Justin’s artistic talent was evident from his boyhood in Princes Risborough, Bucks where he won a ‘Best Book Illustration’ competition run by the town’s library, when he was about 10.  His winning picture was a detailed depiction of the dragon Smaug’s treasure hoard (from ‘The Hobbit’ by J. R. R. Tolkien). Justin’s artistic talent continued to grow during his time at Thorpe Grammar School and at Norwich School (6th Form), where he also began writing poetry.  

Having fallen in love with Shakespeare, after seeing Zeffirelli’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’, Justin completed an English degree at Magdalene College, Cambridge, but later qualified as a Chartered Accountant.  His latent artistic talent was later re-ignited when he attended a class on Skyros, Greece taught by a pupil of Salvador Dali.  Inspired, Justin completed a Fine Art foundation course at Norwich School of Art and Design, set up The Walnut Tree Gallery at his cottage in Thurton and sold his work online as ‘Just Pictures’.  He died unexpectedly in 2021 leaving much beautiful artwork.

At the Exhibition you will discover that the subject matter of Justin’s work is hugely varied.  He worked mainly oils/acrylic on canvas, wood, paper and tile, but there are also sketches, small sculptures and photography.  There is also a lot of archive material that will not appear as part of the Exhibition, but may be of interest.

The net proceeds of the Exhibition will be given by Conrad and Elizabeth to the charities listed here.

Please come to the Exhibition, if you are able, and bring your friends.  There will be refreshments and it would be nice to meet you.  It is in a good cause. Thank you.

If you need one, you can view a Google Map of Bergh Apton Village Hall.