Norwich Art Graduates Exhibit with Norwich Twenty Group

Emma Armitage (23) and Lorna Johnson (22), both recent graduates from Norwich University College of the Arts (NUCA), have been awarded licentiate status by Norwich Twenty Group (N20G) and will be exhibiting at the group’s autumn show, which openend at the John Innes Centre on Saturday, August 28th. The show runs until Wednesday, September 15th 2010 and is open daily, 10am to 5pm, with free admission, www.norwich20group.co.uk.

Emma Armitage and Lorna Johnson both live in Norwich and graduated from NUCA in the summer. Rory McShane, Chairman N20G explained: “Every year we review NUCA’s Fine Art final degree show looking for students creating original work that takes art that extra stage further. Lorna and Emma’s work really stood out and we hope they enjoy their year as licentiate members of N20G. It so important for us to encourage the next generation of artists in Norwich and Norfolk.”

An illustrator who studied graphic design and illustration at NUCA, Emma Armitage will be exhibiting The Keyman, the children’s book that she wrote and illustrated for her final degree show. The book is about a man who collects keys. She will also be displaying some new characters that she is developing for her next children’s story.

Emma Armitage said: “I have always loved drawing and aim to create quirky and fun work. I am hoping to develop a career as a children’s book illustrator and am really grateful to Norwich Twenty Group for giving me this opportunity to showcase my work.”

Lorna Johnson focussed on print making, new media and photography during her NUCA course. For her degree show she made an installation of acrylic rods coming out of the wall at different depths in a scattered pattern. Each tip was covered in blue powder, which glowed in the sun, giving visitors to the show an exciting visual experience.

She is planning to exhibit one of her photographs combined with an installation in the Twenty Group show. Lorna Johnson said: “Taking part in the N20G autumn show is a fantastic opportunity for me. It is very exciting to be exhibiting with some of Norfolk’s top artists.”

Norwich Twenty Group @ John Innes Centre features the work of more than 40 of Norfolk’s top artists, from traditional figurative painting to abstract painting, sculpture, stone carving and imaginative site installations.

As well as the exhibition of large works, there will be an opportunity to pick up many small items in the Art Bazaar. All Art Bazaar items are donated by N20G members to raise money for the group and are sold for £15.

New Members exhibiting with N20G for the first time are Martin Laurance, Keith Pomeroy and Julia Sorrell.

Rory McShane Chairman N20G added: “Our autumn exhibition celebrates the rich mix of styles and ideas coming from some of Norfolk’s top artists and will be a colourful, energetic and original show.”


“The group, as the name suggests, was originally made up of 2O artists from Norfolk who came together to discuss work and ideas. We have now expanded to more than 80 artists, following a series of highly successful exhibitions and collaborations, and include recent graduates from Norwich University College of the Arts and new members with long established reputations such as Derek Morris.”

Norwich 20 Group


N20G was formed in 1944 comprising professional artists from the Norwich School of Art and Design. The group is no longer limited to 20 and now has more than 70 members, several of whom exhibit regularly in the West End and abroad. All aspects of the practice of contemporary fine art are represented e.g. sculpture, print, photography and painting.


Over the years the membership has included nationally known artists, for example, Bernard Reynolds and Jeffrey Camp. Colin Self has taken an active role as have numerous art historians and architects. Mary Newcomb, one of Britain’s best loved artists, famous for her visionary ruralist paintings, who died in 2008, was a member of N20G for many years. Her work often sold at exhibitions for around £20. It now changes hands for five figure sums. Current N20G members include Andy Campbell, David Holgate, Ros Newman, Vanessa Pooley, Louise Richardson and Laurie Rudling.