A multitude of artists, including three prominent names, will be spearheading the UK’s largest contemporary art exhibition this year in the heart of horse racing.
Visit Newmarket, Suffolk – home of British horse racing, where equine attractions abound. Explore the two race courses, Rowley Mile and July Course, witness horses being exercised on the gallops, and observe their breeding at the National Stud. For art enthusiasts, the Packard Galleries of British Sporting Art offer an array of paintings by George Stubbs and Alfred Munnings, showcasing hunting, hawking, shooting, and racing scenes.
However, this summer brings a novel art experience to town. The National Horse Racing Museum, along with two other venues in west Suffolk, presents an extensive street art exhibition, “The Urban Frame: Mutiny in Colour.” Immerse yourself in over 300 captivating works by renowned street and contemporary artists, including Banksy, Damien Hirst, and Tracey Emin.
The Newmarket exhibition showcases a groundbreaking display titled “The 7: Banksy Under Siege,” featuring life-size replica “walls” originally created by the artist in war-torn Ukraine last November. These photographic reproductions carry significant emotional weight, considering that many of the original walls have since been destroyed by bombardment. Additionally, the exhibition presents two original Banksy works: “Hula Hooping Girl,” taken from the wall of a beauty salon in Nottingham, and “Love is in the Air,” an anti-war image that once adorned the side of a garage in Jerusalem. Notably, the latter piece makes its formal debut in this exhibit following a successful auction sale at $12.9 million last year. It is set to travel to galleries in Amsterdam and Barcelona afterward.
Among the other captivating exhibits are “Citroen Berlingo Van,” a vehicle adorned with 200 eyes by the artist My Dog Sighs; works by Blek le Rat, recognized as the pioneer of stencil graffiti; contributions from cult contemporary artists, the Connor Brothers; and renowned figures in street art, including Pure Evil, Stik, and Kaws.
The two additional locations showcasing artwork by many of the same artists are Haverhill Arts Centre and Moyse’s Hall Museum in Bury St Edmunds. Both venues are conveniently accessible from Newmarket, with a half-hour drive to Haverhill and a 20-minute train journey to Bury St Edmunds. Exploring all three venues during a weekend is highly recommended.
At the Haverhill venue, which occupies a Victorian former town hall, talented artists conduct complimentary workshops in illustration and print-making, drawing inspiration from the exhibition.
The display at Moyse’s Hall, a historic 12th-century building located on the marketplace, draws inspiration from My Dog Sighs’ innovative use of found materials. The exhibition’s set dressing incorporates borrowed elements from various artists or is crafted using crates and bricks. Instead of traditional paper labels, information is directly written or painted onto the walls. Additionally, other fixtures and fittings have been repurposed from past exhibits, contributing to the exhibition’s unique ambiance.
Within this show, visitors can also admire a Banksy piece titled “Sandcastle Girl,” originally painted on a wall in Lowestoft in 2021. A captivating video showcasing the artist at work accompanies the exhibit, along with remarkable works by prominent artists like Grayson Perry, Keith Haring, and many others.
The Newmarket in Colour initiative coincides with the exhibition, infusing the town with vibrant street-art energy. Collaborating artists, community groups, and children have adorned various locations, such as the memorial gardens and leisure center, with stunning murals. Streets now boast overhead art installations of butterflies, while shop windows have been specially decorated to add to the artistic atmosphere. Bars and restaurants have also joined in the creative spirit by offering colorful dishes and cocktails.
For those eager to explore Newmarket’s main attractions, Discover Newmarket offers guided tours. These tours include visits to the gallops, a racing yard, and the National Stud, where visitors can interact with mares, foals, and stallions, including the renowned former champion, Stradivarius.
Moyse’s Hall boasts the most extensive collection of postcards, posters, and limited-edition prints from the exhibition in its gift shop. Meanwhile, in Newmarket, antique enthusiasts can explore Treasures, which offers a selection of antique furniture and other vintage items. For those seeking local products and fresh produce, the Riverwalk Commons hosts a weekly farmers’ market on Saturdays from May to October. Additionally, a monthly makers’ market takes place in the Market Square car park, showcasing unique creations by talented artisans.
