We are currently looking into what cover image to use for the May edition of our sister publication The Viva Lewes Handbook. There’s so much going on that month that it’s become a positive dilemma, if such a thing exists. The two main contenders are David Nash and Billy Childish, two artists from different ends of the spectrum. Nash, of course, is one of Britain’s greatest living sculptors, a Royal Academian who exhibits his works, usually made from wood or living plants, all over the world. He is being brought to Lewes Town Hall by the same group of people - Sculpture Exhibitions Ltd - who have recently organised exhibitions here by Rodin and Anthony Caro and Henry Moore. The exhibition is a big deal, which will bring thousands to Lewes. It’s an exciting prospect.
And then there’s Billy Childish, as cult as they come. Billy is a poet and a photographer and a film-maker and a punk rock singer. He is also a highly acclaimed artist, whose work will be on next month in the HQ Gallery. Billy does woodcuts and paintings which somehow blend child-like naivety with harrowing knowingness. Billy’s cool, basically. Billy would look great on the cover.
Why are we telling you this? Because we are proud that a town of Lewes’ size (around 16,000 the last time we checked) is punching, culturally, so much above its weight. We are delighted that Lewes is becoming an ever more happening place. We don’t want to be too gushing (every now and again we have to get out of here, just to escape). But we hope and believe that this trend will continue. That Lewes will become better and better known as a centre of artistic entertainment for discerning people. Enjoy the week.