The Fry Art Gallery collection holds a scrapbook created by Marianne Straub. It was compiled between 1952 and 1984. The book includes many hand-made Christmas cards from Bardfield artists, contemporary designers and friends. From Bardfield, Edward Bawden, Sheila Robinson, Michael Rothenstein, and the Hoyles appear on many pages. Marianne also exchanged Christmas cards with textile and furniture designers Lucienne and Robin Day, architect-designer Misha Black, and textile designer Enid Marx among others.
Almost any double page spread in the scrapbook reveals her many friendships. Here we see 1: Mea Angerer (Textile designer); 2: Jacqueline Groag (Textile designer); 3: Edward Bawden (Artist); 4: Casty Cobb (Jeweller); 5: Hans Fischer (Artist & illustrator); 6: Willi Rondas (Artist); 7: Duffy Ayers (Artist).
Marianne’s scrapbook is on display now in the gallery in the exhibition Interwoven Lives: Marianne Straub, Great Bardfield and friends, until Sunday July 2nd. Every week a different double page spread will be on show.