Myth, magic, folklore and legend inspire Bishop’s Stortford artist to curate new exhibition at the Old Sun Inn in Saffron Walden
A free immersive art installation and exhibition will bring myth and magic to one of Uttlesford’s most historic buildings.
The There Be Giants show opens at the Old Sun Inn in Saffron Walden on Friday April 19 and runs until Wednesday May 1, with admission from 10am to 4pm, Tuesdays to Saturdays.
The art installation across six upstairs rooms, curated by Bishop’s Stortford artist Jessica Pearce, heralds a new era for the medieval, grade II listed building since its acquisition by historic buildings specialist Douglas Kent and a business partner in 2023.
The building is reputed to have been used as the headquarters of Oliver Cromwell in 1647 when the Parliamentary Army was in the town.
Originally a home, then an inn, most recently it was an antiques emporium and bookshop for almost half a century. Its pargeting – external decorative plasterwork – is regarded as some of the best in England.
Visitors can explore a curation of paintings, prints, sculptures and carvings including works by Stansted artist Aine Corr, Saffron Walden designer Mr Mortimer’s Wife, Wimbish craftsman Matt Bateman, Saffron Walden illustrator Michelle Thompson and sculptor Caroline Bugby.
The pieces are inspired by legends and folklore, including the Gog Magog giants, the Essex Serpent, Humpty Dumpty, morris dancing and mythology.
Jessica said: “I attended a tour of the Old Sun Inn and was inspired thinking about the many mindsets, political eras and types of people that had passed through.
“I’m very grateful to the new owners for enabling my installation, drawing on the incredible archive of history this ancient building holds. I’m honoured to be part of its new evolution as a hub for community events and the resurrection of ancient crafts.”
Jessica is a multimedia artist, muralist and printmaker from Bishop’s Stortford with a home studio in Saffron Walden.
As a jewellery designer, she co-founded the brand Scream Pretty, which most recently produced a range of goddess pendants based on pre-Christian female deities.
She said her immersive installation at the Old Sun Inn explored eras of time through layers of wallpaper, a medieval room stacked with reeds, a 1647 room set and green goddess paper sculpture.
“I hope to create a magical environment for visitors in this already unique, history-soaked venue,” she said.
In the gallery space downstairs, Jessica has chosen her folklore and history-inspired images made at the Curwen Print Study Centre in Thurlow – Cromwell’s Stairs, Thaxted Angels and Horndance. The latter is based on the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance that originates from the 12th century and is still performed today.
She said: “I’m very excited to have the opportunity to exhibit these works in a building with 14th-century origins, famous for its ornate plasterwork with the Wisbech giant, a legendary figure of East Anglian folklore, being fought by Tom Hickathrift with a cartwheel. The discovery of mammoth bones in the chalk hills across Essex bolstered these local legends.”
Charlotte Pratt, learning and outreach officer at Saffron Walden Museum said: “We are really excited to be part of this fascinating and creative project.
“The Old Sun Inn is a historic landmark and projects like this are a great way to bring the venue to a wider audience.
“We really hope visitors to the exhibition will enjoy seeing the loaned museum objects in a new venue and exploring the town through the lens of its 17th-century past.”
The museum has created a children’s art trail and craft activities to tie in with the exhibition. Time travellers are invited to explore Saffron Walden looking for 17th-century buildings and landmarks, starting with brass rubbing at the There Be Giants exhibition and finishing in the museum (normal admission fees apply). Visitors can collect a trail leaflet from either venue.
On Saturday April 20, from 10.30am to 11.30am and 2.30pm to 3.30pm, the museum is hosting Tudor object-handling activities.
This article and all the images will appear as a double-page spread in the April 3 print edition of the Bishop’s Stortford Independent, available for £1.80 from the usual
