Abstract: how artists see the world

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.

Artists featured in this Curation: Colin Campbell, Paula Caiger (b.1967), Harry Cunningham, Edward Pond (1929–2012), Michael (Mick) Finch (b.1957), Henrietta Fanshawe (b. c.1897) and Clive Kidder (b.1930)

35 artworks

Storyline Album Showcase

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

© 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

© 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

© 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

© 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

© 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

© 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

© 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

© 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 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

© 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

© 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

© 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

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

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

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

© 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

© 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

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

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

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

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

© 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

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

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

© Valence House Museum. Image credit: Valence House Museum