В Lowestotte открылась ретроспективная выставка работ художника Джо Брауна, все средства от которой пойдут на помощь бездомным

A retrospective exhibition will celebrate the life and work of artist Jo Brown at The Mayfly Gallery in Lowestoft. Running from September 3 to 30, the show will feature paintings and wood carvings, with all profits donated to the homelessness charity St Martins, which supported Mr Brown in the final years of his life. Organised by Mr Brown’s family following his death in June, the exhibition honours his creative legacy and life shaped by spirituality, creativity, and mental illness. Chris Bignall, head of supported living for St Martins, said: "Jo lived with us at Webster Court for just over two years, and in that time remained very creative, often was seen crafting sculptures and objet d’art from bits of wood he had retrieved from nature. "He was a well-known figure around the city centre, spending a lot of his day in and around the market, with a favourite pastime of visiting local coffee shops. "Jo was a valued member of our Webster Court community, and his unexpected death was a shock to us all. "I would like to thank Jo’s family for giving St Martins the opportunity of promoting this exhibition of his work, continuing his legacy and for their more than generous offering of making a donation to us in Jo’s name." Originally from Bristol, Mr Brown attended Bristol Cathedral School and later became involved with Guru Maharaj Ji's Divine Light Mission, spending two years in an ashram in Leicester. He moved to London, living in squats and co-ops, and later relocated to the Gower Peninsula in South Wales, where he honed his wood carving skills. Mr Brown became a resident at Webster Court, a St Martins service in Norwich, in April 2024. The exhibition will include works from before and after the onset of his illness, reflecting his creativity, imagination and resilience.