Alfred Wallis (1855-1942) is one of the most original and inspiring British artists of the 20th Century. Living in St.Ives, Cornwall and with no training, Wallis took up painting late in life 'for company' after the death of his wife. Previously, he had worked as a mariner, crossing the Atlantic and later working smaller fishing boats. With only household oil paint in limited colours on found bits of card, Wallis made works that are, as he said himself, more experiences and events than paintings. 'i do most what used To Be what we shall never see no more.' he wrote to Jim Ede, creator of Kettle's Yard, and one of his most ardent collectors.

This new exhibition explores the work of the charismatic English artist Christopher Wood (1901-1930). The work of Wood, along with Ben and Winifred Nicholson, David Jones and Alfred Wallis, was fundamental in shaping Jim Ede's artistic vision. Paintings and drawings from the University of Cambridge and Kettle's Yard collections, many of which are not normally on display, will be brought together with archival materials including the artist's own set of playing cards to offer new insight into Wood's life and work. For the first time in almost 30 years, our own 'Boy with Cat' will be reunited with its sister painting 'Woman with Fox', which was given to the University of Essex by Jim Ede in 1964. A new publication exploring the relationship between Wood and Kettle's Yard will accompany the exhibition.