Newlands House Gallery

18/03/2026

Björk, 1995
by Jane Bown

In this striking portrait, Björk meets the camera with both playfulness and defiance, her face partially hidden, her gaze unwavering. Photographed in her Maida Vale flat for The Observer, Bown captures a fleeting, instinctive moment, one that reveals not the performance, but the person beneath.

Working with natural light and remarkable immediacy, Jane Bown had an extraordinary ability to put her sitters at ease. Her portraits, often made within minutes, distil presence into something quietly profound. Here, gesture and expression align in what Bown called the “jackpot” moment.

This image has become one of the defining works of Jane Bown: Play Shadow, a testament to her gift for revealing the essence of her subjects with simplicity and grace.

The exhibition has been extended until 19 April, offering a final opportunity to experience Bown’s timeless portraits.

📍 Newlands House Gallery, Petworth
🎟️ Book your tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/newlandshousegallery/1741446

©️ The Jane Bown Estate

06/02/2026

Few places left: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/newlandshousegallery/1985781

Join us on Tuesday 10 Feb for this special workshop.
Includes all materials, private tour of Jane Bown: Play Shadow Exhibition, and lunch by the HG Café.

Drawing Workshop: Storytelling and slow, expressive drawing with Mona Craven – Newlands House Gallery, Tue 10 Feb 2026 - Date: Tuesday 10 FebruaryTime: 10am - 4pmTicket: £130 (Includes: Workshop Materials ...

04/02/2026

Slow down. Look closer. Draw differently. ✏️

Join us on Tuesday 10 February (10am–4pm) for a special expressive drawing workshop with Mona Craven, inspired by Jane Bown: Play Shadow. Begin with a private curator-led tour with gallery director Loucia Manopoulou, then explore playful, confidence-building drawing techniques that focus on light, shadow, texture and storytelling, capturing essence, not likeness.

🎟️ Tickets: newlandshouse.gallery (link in bio)
Limited availability

All materials included
Lunch by Café
Suitable for beginners and experienced artists

A rare, immersive way to experience the exhibition, thoughtfully, creatively, and unhurried.

27/01/2026

POV: You’re following exhibition curator and Gallery Director Loucia Manopoulou through every room of Jane Bown: Play Shadow at Newlands House Gallery.

Discover the stories behind the photographs, the thinking behind each room, and the quiet brilliance of Jane Bown’s work, shared first-hand by the curator who shaped the exhibition.

The evening begins with a private guided tour of Jane Bown: Play Shadow, followed by a screening of Looking for Light: Jane Bown, an intimate portrait of Bown’s life, work, and extraordinary eye for light. The night concludes with relaxed, cinema-style food prepared by HG Café.

📅 Friday 30 January | From 6pm
🎟️ £45 (link in bio) — few tickets left
Includes private tour, film screening & buffet

A perfect evening for lovers of photography, storytelling, and thoughtful cultural experiences.

22/01/2026

Finding the Queen, not the crown.
In this portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, Jane Bown does what she always did best: she finds the picture rather than makes it.

As narrated here by Luke Dodd, Jane photographed the Queen in 2006 when both women were turning 80. Working quietly, with natural light and minimal presence, Jane circled her sitter, waiting for a fleeting, human moment, a softened gaze, a spark of recognition.
When the images were sent back to the Palace, the Queen reportedly asked: “How does she do this?”

See this iconic portrait in person at Jane Bown: Play Shadow, now showing at Newlands House Gallery.

🎬 The film ‘Looking for Light: Jane Bown’, co-directed by Luke Dodd, will be screened as part of our Curator’s Tour & Cinema Evening on Friday 30 January.

🔗 Tickets & details via link in bio
or visit newlandshouse.gallery

🎧 You can also hear the full audio narration by Luke Dodd on our exhibition audio guide using the app

©️ The Estate of Jane Bown

19/11/2025

A warm coffee from The Hungry Guest café and a visit to Newlands House Gallery to see the Jane Bown: Play Shadow exhibition while it’s snowing outside. The perfect mid-week escape. ☕️ 🖼️ ❄️

Visit us:
Wednesday to Saturday: 10am-5pm
Sunday: 11am-4pm

📍Petworth, West Sussex

05/10/2025

On Saturday 11 October, discover Phytophones at Newlands House Gallery, a full day of art and music exploring sound, sustainability, and creativity. Supported by British Council

What’s included in your ticket:
- Exhibition of unique instruments made from renewable materials (Open to the public 10am–4pm)
- Live performance by percussionist Wannapha Yannavut & composer Alexandros Spyrou (12–1.30pm)
- Artist talk with the creators, sharing their process and inspiration.

🎟 Tickets £25 https://www.tickettailor.com/events/newlandshousegallery/1874846
📍 Newlands House Gallery

A rare, one-day-only chance to experience sustainable sound art up close. Don’t miss it!

Later, head over to the Angel Inn for their Harvest event with more live music, making this a full day of culture, food, and music to enjoy in Petworth.

05/10/2025

A day like today, 5 October 1977, Jane Bown photographed Mick Jagger.

Taken while he was mid-interview, the shot captures the brooding charisma of the performer, intensified by Bown’s striking composition, Jagger pressed tightly within the frame, every shadow alive with presence.

Her intuitive mastery of natural light and simplicity defined a generation of portrait photography.

Jane Bown: Play Shadow opens 1 November at Newlands House Gallery, a major exhibition celebrating one of Britain’s most revered photographers and her profound ability to find truth in every face she met.

Learn more: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/newlandshousegallery/1741446

© The Jane Bown Literary Estate

27/09/2025

What does music made from plants and renewable materials sound like? 🌱🎶 Find out on Saturday 11 October, at Newlands House Gallery for ‘Phytophones’, an experimental installation and live performance by percussionist Wannapha Yannavut and composer Alexandros Spyrou, supported by the British Council

11 October 2025
Exhibition: 10am – 4pm
Performance & Artist Talk: 12 – 1.30pm
🎟 Tickets £25
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/newlandshousegallery/1874846
📍 Newlands House Gallery, Petworth

Hear instruments made entirely from renewable materials, their delicate sounds transformed into striking, otherworldly textures. A rare chance to experience sustainable music-making in action.

11/09/2025

🎟️ Book before Sunday 14 September: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/newlandshousegallery/1628005

Yesterday we hosted the very last Curator’s Tour of Andy Warhol: My True Story with the brilliant Jean Wainwright here at Newlands House Gallery.

Attendees had the rare chance to learn directly from Jean in an intimate walkthrough of drawings, screen prints, photographs, films, recordings and archival treasures. Her insights revealed both the artist and the man behind the myth, offering a unique glimpse into Warhol’s world and influence. The day was made even more special with a delicious lunch at the HG Café.

Don’t miss your chance to experience this exhibition before it closes, the last day is this Sunday, 14 September.

🎟 Book your tickets at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/newlandshousegallery/1628005
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