Sir Alfred Munnings Exhibition @ St. Mary’s Church

The Friends of St. Mary’s Church are collaborating with the Alfred Munnings Museum in Dedham, to present an exhibition in the church from Saturday, April 27th – Monday, May 6th.

The exhibition is derived from an exhibition in the Munning’s Museum last year, on the theme of Colour and Light, and colour reproductions of the paintings will be displayed in the church.

Sir Alfred Munnings was born in Mendham in 1878, where his father was the local mill. He served an apprenticeship at Page Brothers, Lithographic printers in Norwich, and attended evening classes at the Norwich Art School. He set up his own studio in Mendham and the subjects he loved to paint best were horses.

Attending the Bungay May Fairs, for the auction of horses and ponies, provided an ideal opportunity to study all types of breeds, and the annual May Bungay Races on Outney Common provided further inspiration. So, it can truly be said that living near Bungay helped to make him the celebrated equestrian artist that he became.

Following a period as War Artist in France, he had an exhibition at the Royal Academy, which was a resounding success and gained him commissions from wealthy aristocrats and Royalty, and from that time he became one of Britain’s best loved painters of hunting & racing scenes

Reproductions on loan at the Church, include “Stranded”, depicting two children in a rowing boat caught in the tall reeds in the Waveney: and “Path to the River”, an enchanting scene, of a girl leading a white pony along the river path at Mendham.

Munnings died in 1959

The Exhibition opens with a Preview in the Church, Friday April 26th, 7.30 pm. refreshments served, booking essential, and continues Saturday April 27th – Monday, May 6th, 10 – 4 pm. Admission free for both events, but Donations welcome.

For bookings and further information contact:

John Warnes, Tel. 01986 892855,

or Keith Parker 01986 8931