ART lovers are being invited to one of Chester’s landmark museums to celebrate the work of a renowned author.
The exhibition, taking place at Chester’s Grosvenor Museum from September 18 to November 28, will highlight Alan Garner’s first novel ‘The Weirdstone of Brisingamen’.
On November 10, the novel will be 50 years old and has never been out of print.
Cheshire West and Chester councillor Richard Lowe said: “I am sure that this exhibition will be extremely popular.
“The exhibition is supported by a range of events both in Chester and on Alderley Edge, including talks by Alan Garner, performances inspired by his work and a Medieval Fair.”
It took two years to write ‘The Weirdstone of Brisingamen’, a year to find a publisher and a year to eventually publish it on October 10, 1960. The exhibition explores the story of ‘The Weirdstone of Brisingamen’, along with the legend of Alderley and the history of Alderley Edge, which provided Alan Garner’s inspiration.
On display will be collections of archaeology associated with Bronze Age Alderley Edge and also items exploring its geology.
All but one of Garner’s books are set in Cheshire and they take inspiration from the landscape and folklore of the county. The exhibition will therefore also explore other work by Alan Garner and there will be displays of collections personal to him which feature in his books.
The highlight of the exhibition is a portrait of Alan Garner painted by Andrew Tift and commissioned by the Grosvenor Museum especially for this exhibition. Andrew Tift is a BP Portrait Award winner and the picture shows Alan in his study surrounded by many of the objects which are special to him.
For more information www.weirdstone.org.uk