19
February 2025

Antoni Gaudí i Cornet: Master Builder of Barcelona

The Arts Society Wensum
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 - 11:00
The Assembly House
Theatre Street Norwich NR2 1RQ
Online Event

Architect and designer Antoni Gaudí was a key figure in Catalan Modernism and was one of the creators of Barcelona’s urban identity.

Genius Spanish architect and designer Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926), a key figure in Catalan Modernism, stands as one of the creators of Barcelona’s urban identity.

Inventor of new techniques and a magpie enthusiast of all things botanical and sacred, Gaudí’s most famous building, the Barcelona Church of the Sagrada Família, is Spain’s most-visited monument and one of seven of the architect’s works listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.

Building works on Sagrada Família were begun in 1882 and are still ongoing, a fact that stands in stark contrast to contemporary building projects and brings to life the nature of cathedral building in medieval Europe.

Banner image: Facade of Casa Batlló, Barcelona  © Jordi Cerdà

THE ARTS SOCIETY ACCREDITED LECTURER

Ms Vivienne Lawes

I am an art historian, curator, author and journalist with over 25 years’ experience in the art market. I teach at several Higher Education institutions, including the University of the Arts London, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, the City & Guilds of London Art School, SOAS (University of London) and Imperial College. In January 2021 I received the Geoffrey Bond Bursary for Art, an annual prize awarded by the Worshipful Company of Educators to an “outstanding educator” nominated by their institution.

My articles, essays and reports have been published in numerous specialist journals, newspapers, catalogues, handbooks and websites, aimed at both the academic and general readership in print and online. The title of my current book project is The Bronze Horse: Themes in Equine Sculpture from Antiquity to the Present Day; in Spring 2021 I will embark on a critique and biography of contemporary Filipino artist Andres Barrioquinto.

Since 2011 I have been Senior UK Consultant to Singapore gallery One East Asia and have co-curated many exhibitions of Southeast Asian modern and contemporary art in London and Singapore. I am also Head of Education for the London Asian and African Contemporary Art Fair (founded 2020).

When time allows I lecture as an on-board art historian for cruise lines.