ON OUR RADAR

The Gift of Nearness

An exhibition of recent paintings by local artist Janet Sainsbury.

Leigh Curtis

Exeter Phoenix is presenting an exhibition of recent paintings on canvas and paper by Exeter-based artist Janet Sainsbury from 6 July to 31 August.

The exhibition features portraits of radical women including writer Shelagh Delaney, art collector Peggy Guggenheim, photographer Lee Miller and artist Eileen Agar, as well as male poets, musicians and actors.

The exhibition’s title, The Gift of Nearness, is taken from one of several portraits of modernist writer Katherine Mansfield included in the show.

The Gift of Nearness by Janet Sainsbury, 2024 The Gift of Nearness by Janet Sainsbury, 2024.

Janet Sainsbury paints imagined situations populated by characters drawn from art history and popular culture, aiming to create alternative stories.

She has participated in many solo and group exhibitions at venues including RAMM, Studio Kind, Karst, Thelma Hubert Gallery, South London Gallery and The Plough Arts Centre.

Janet is also a member of Preston Street Union, a group of Exeter-based artists which makes collaborative work.

Subscribe to The Exeter Digest - Exeter Observer's essential free email newsletter

Your personal information will be processed and stored in accordance with our Privacy Policy

The Gift of Nearness runs from Saturday 6 July to Saturday 31 August 2024 at the Phoenix Gallery, Exeter Phoenix.

The exhibition is open from 10.30am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday.

A launch event will be held on the exhibition’s opening day from 3-5pm, and the artist will give a free talk at 2pm on its closing day for which booking is required.

Democracy doesn't work when people don't know who is deciding what on whose behalf and what the costs and consequences of those decisions will be.

Exeter Observer is proving that reader-funded media can deliver the independent public interest journalism our local democracy needs.

Upgrade to a paid Exeter Observer subscription to support our work and get access to exclusive premium content and more.

More stories
Clifton Hill sports centre redevelopment site

Second undervalue sale of Clifton Hill sports centre site after buyback loss leaves city with £3m less than initial market value

Council sold land for £2.14m – at £2.11m discount – then bought it back for £3.037m before selling again for £3.375m at £425,000 discount with £225,000 sweetener after also agreeing to spend net £600,000 on preparation, marketing and disposal costs.

Mary Arches car parks redevelopment site aerial view

300-bed “co-living” blocks to trump social housing vision for Mary Arches car parks

More people could be crammed into Eutopia Homes complex than current car parking spaces after Exeter City Council commits to “homes for the people of Exeter” on Liveable Exeter North Gate site.

Exeter Public Spaces Protection Order boundary map

Exeter City Council renews Public Spaces Protection Order for three more years

Measure introduced to curb anti-social behaviour in 2017 extended to 2028 following consultation limited to selected consultees.

Alison Hernandez and James Vaughan

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez launches Devon & Cornwall Police “accountability board”

Monthly board meets in private with press and public excluded without publishing advance agendas or minutes to ensure force is delivering an “effective and efficient police service”.

Eutopia Homes Exmouth Junction build to rent development rear elevation

First Exeter build to rent flats marketed at £1,375-£2,350 per month with “affordable” units costing £1,080-£1,800 plus bills

Eutopia Homes rents in Exmouth Junction block would leave many workers with substantially lower income than Joseph Rowntree Foundation minimum for a socially-acceptable standard of living.

Northbrook Swimming Pool campaign demonstration Exeter Guildhall 13 May 2025

Campaigners compel Exeter City Council to reconsider Northbrook pool closure with 2,250-strong resident petition

Pressure on council intensifies after freedom of information request responses confirm £3.5 million budget cuts included potentially unlawful decision to close swimming pool without public consultation or impact assessment.