Yare Gallery: Circus Art

The newly opened Yare Gallery, on Great Yarmouth’s historic South Quay overlooking the river, is showcasing an amazing collection of circus paintings and artefacts from famous artists, many of whom are Norfolk and Suffolk based. There is also work by internationally known painters of circus subjects –Bruer Tidman, who has been painting the Hippodrome circus since 1984, Colin Self - an English Pop Artist who has over 30 works in the Tate, will have six of his clowns on display plus a series of circus themed sculptures created from tin cans. Will Teather, a leading figurative artist, will have one of his famous spheres plus a series of circus paintings whilst work by Mark Burrell, a Lowestoft based realist painter who tells great stories through his paintings, will also be on display. House is a feast for the eyes. There was circus in six wooden circus buildings in Great Yarmouth before the Edwardian Hippodrome was built. The Hippodrome building was created in 1903 and its splendid interior and fantastic performances have been delighting audiences ever since. It is the last surviving standalone circus building, and one of only three in the world with its original sinking ring and water show. It has been owned by the Jay family since 1979.

This free exhibition, in association with Peter Jay, Hippodrome Circus, runs until January 13th 2022. Opening in early summer this year, this is The Yare Gallery’s 4th exhibition and promises a cornucopia of delights for all tastes and pockets –much like the Hippodrome itself.