The English vernacular

If the royal wedding has whet your appetite for all things English, then illustrator and print maker Chris Brown’s latest exhibition will keep your flag-waving, street partying spirit alive for a little bit longer.

The exhibition, called English Vernacular, will be held at the St Jude’s Gallery in Itteringham in Norfolk from 7 May.

It includes a collection of works inspired by England, featuring traditional ceramics – with girls sitting on staffy dogs, naval heroes and green fingered gardeners, all rendered with a distinct sense of comedy.

Brown says, ‘[The exhibition] represents my continuing interest in this country’s architecture, places, objects, people and animals. The intent is serious but often I can’t resist introducing an element of humour.’

He adds, ‘There’s a vision of England that a lot of illustrators see and I’m glad to fit within that.’

About half of the works are new, but Englishness has been a theme that has interested Brown for some time. He says of early print Green Fingers, ‘It was something I’d wanted to do for myself, combining imagery with Victorian, twig-like letterforms.’

Many of the prints capture aspects of English culture that are being lost, such as music hall figures George Robey and Florrie Ford.

Brown says, ‘ The show is about memories, both mine, those of my family and memories of place.’

English Vernacular runs from 7-28 May at St Jude’s Gallery, Wolterton Road, Itteringham, Norfolk NR11 7AF.