Kettle’s Yard: A Masterpiece of Curatorship


Sarah Burles to give talk about the Cambridge museum for The Arts Society Chiswick


Kettle's Yard

May 29, 2025

The next talk to be hosted by The Arts Society Chiswick will be given by Sarah Burles on “Kettle’s Yard: A Masterpiece of Curatorship”.

Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge is not just an art gallery – it’s a house designed as a “total work or art” by Jim Ede, who believes that art should be part of everyday life. It houses works by Ben and Winifred Nicholson, Christopher Wood, Alfred Wallis, Henri Gaudier-Brzeska and many more which are carefully placed alongside pieces of furniture, ceramics and natural objects which blur the lines between a home and a gallery.

In this lecture which is being given at 8pm, on Thursday 12 June, at POSK, King Street Hammersmith, Sarah Burles explores the life and vision of Jim Ede and his groundbreaking curatorial method in Kettle’s Yard, which has been described as “one of the country’s most intimate and spellbinding museums, the collection of one man and his unerring eye; restorative, homely yet life-changing”.

Sarah Burles is a distinguished art historian, lecturer and tour leader with over 25 years of experience in museum and gallery education. She studied History of Art at Cambridge University and earned a master’s degree from University College London. Her career includes establishing new educational services in three different museums and a significant tenure at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.

Hers passion lies in making art accessible and enjoyable to a broad audience. Her talks are known for their insightful analysis and captivating storytelling proving attendees with a deeper appreciation of art and its contexts.

Alison Watson, Chair, The Arts Society Chiswick said, “We are looking forward to this illuminating talk on how Kettle’s Yard turned a house into a work of art, where art and life meet in perfect harmony.”

Doors open at 7pm, as does the private bar. Guests are very welcome to join for a payment of £15 on the door.

Membership of the Arts Society Chiswick includes ten expert lectures on the second Thursday of every month (except August and December) and the opportunity to participate in tours, visits, social events and Special Interest Days. Half year Membership available from 1 July. For more information see the society's web site.

The Arts Society Chiswick brings people together through a shared curiosity for the arts, to create opportunities for everyone to be part of a diverse community in which they can enjoy, learn about, participate in, and preserve the Arts and Cultural Heritage.

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