Valence House holds a small collection of abstract artworks. This number significantly increased in 2021 with a donation of works by a local artist who experimented with the abstract style during the 1960s and 70s. The majority of these artworks have never been displayed before.

35 artworks
  • Throughout April 2022 the BBC’s nationwide Art That Made Us Festival celebrates creativity. It coincides with the broadcast of a major new BBC television series exploring our creative history. Valence House is just one of the many museums, libraries, archives and galleries across the UK proudly working with the BBC to give the public an opportunity to explore some of the country’s astounding art collections.


    This online curation of abstract artworks held by Valence House forms part of the Art That Made Us Festival.


  • Beach Life, St Cyprien

    Beach Life, St Cyprien 1976
    Colin Campbell (active 1970s)
    Oil on hardboard
    H 72 x W 79 cm
    Valence House Museum
    Beach Life, St Cyprien
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Eastbury House, Doorways and Stairwells, Summer '94

    Eastbury House, Doorways and Stairwells, Summer '94 1994
    Paula Caiger (b.1967)
    Pastel on paper
    H 85 x W 69.2 cm
    Valence House Museum
    Eastbury House, Doorways and Stairwells, Summer '94
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Dagenham Breach

    Dagenham Breach 1963
    Harry Cunningham (active 1960s)
    Oil on board
    H 49 x W 60 cm
    Valence House Museum
    Dagenham Breach
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Rose Lane Farm

    Rose Lane Farm 1953
    Edward Pond (1929–2012)
    Watercolour on paper
    H 18.3 x W 27.3 cm
    Valence House Museum
    Rose Lane Farm
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • A Coffee Pot

    A Coffee Pot 1983
    Michael (Mick) Finch (b.1957)
    Oil on canvas
    H 61 x W 45.5 cm
    Valence House Museum
    A Coffee Pot
    © the artist. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Untitled landscape

    A Landscape 1986
    Michael (Mick) Finch (b.1957)
    Oil on board
    H 85 x W 125 cm
    Valence House Museum
    A Landscape
    © the artist. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Untitled landscape

    A Landscape 1986
    Michael (Mick) Finch (b.1957)
    Oil on board
    H 85 x W 121.5 cm
    Valence House Museum
    A Landscape
    © the artist. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Untitled landscape

    A Landscape 1986
    Michael (Mick) Finch (b.1957)
    Oil on board
    H 97 x W 83.5 cm
    Valence House Museum
    A Landscape
    © the artist. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • The Face

    The Face 1985
    Henrietta Fanshawe (b. c.1897)
    Pastel on paper
    H 39 x W 29 cm
    Valence House Museum
    The Face
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • St. Margaret's bay

    St Margaret's Bay 1971
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Oil on canvas
    Valence House Museum
    St Margaret's Bay
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Untitled landscape

    Possibly St. Margaret's Bay

    Landscape with Cliff and Clouds* 1970s
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Oil on canvas
    Valence House Museum
    Landscape with Cliff and Clouds*
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Untitled ink study

    Ink Study* late 1960s
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Ink on paper
    Valence House Museum
    Ink Study*
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Untitled study of a roof

    Study of Roofs* late 1960s
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Ink on paper
    Valence House Museum
    Study of Roofs*
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Untitled landscape

    Landscape Study* 1970
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Ink on paper
    Valence House Museum
    Landscape Study*
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Untitled landscape

    Abstract Landscape Study* 1970
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Ink on paper
    Valence House Museum
    Abstract Landscape Study*
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Torcross, Devon

    Torcross 1970
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Ink on paper
    Valence House Museum
    Torcross
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Untitled landscape

    Study of Rocks* late 1960s
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Ink on paper
    Valence House Museum
    Study of Rocks*
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Torcross, Devon

    Torcross 1970
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Ink on paper
    Valence House Museum
    Torcross
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Untitled landscape

    Study of Cliffs* 1970
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Ink on paper
    Valence House Museum
    Study of Cliffs*
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Untitled landscape

    Landscape Study* 1970
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Ink on paper
    Valence House Museum
    Landscape Study*
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Irish Castle

    Irish Castle 1961
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Watercolour on paper
    Valence House Museum
    Irish Castle
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Untitled landscape

    Landscape 1969
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Watercolour on paper
    Valence House Museum
    Landscape
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Acid Cliff

    Acid Cliff 1990–2021
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Oil on canvas
    Valence House Museum
    Acid Cliff
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Hedgerow

    Hedgerow 1964
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Oil on canvas
    Valence House Museum
    Hedgerow
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Connemara landscape

    Connemara Landscape c.1962
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Oil on canvas
    Valence House Museum
    Connemara Landscape
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Untitled study

    Abstract Composition* 1960–1975
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Watercolour on paper
    Valence House Museum
    Abstract Composition*
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Untitled landscape

    Abstract Study* 1970
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Ink on paper
    Valence House Museum
    Abstract Study*
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Untitled study

    Abstract Study* 1960–1975
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Watercolour & ink on paper
    Valence House Museum
    Abstract Study*
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Field Folds

    Field Folds 1961
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Pencil on paper
    Valence House Museum
    Field Folds
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Untitled study

    Abstract Shapes* 1964
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Watercolour on paper
    Valence House Museum
    Abstract Shapes*
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Untitled study

    Rocks* 1960–1975
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Watercolour on paper
    Valence House Museum
    Rocks*
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Untitled study

    Abstract Shapes* 1964
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Watercolour on paper
    Valence House Museum
    Abstract Shapes*
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Man in space

    Man in Space 1952
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Watercolour on paper
    Valence House Museum
    Man in Space
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Blackpool Sands. Devon

    Blackpool Sands 1966
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Ink on paper
    Valence House Museum
    Blackpool Sands
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum

  • Untitled triptych

    Abstract Triptych 1960–1975
    Clive Kidder (b.1930)
    Watercolour on paper
    Valence House Museum
    Abstract Triptych
    © Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum