ALISON CROOSE Artlands, Hillington

ALISON CROOSE

Artlands, Hillington

A prestigious exhibition which has moved from Kensington, London, to Norfolk offers a rare opportunity in the county to view such a fascinating collection.

Portraits are not necessarily associated with vanity and this exhibition in Artlands' provides a gracious and airy setting offers ideas for commissioning and collecting portraits of people, horses, houses and dogs.

The collection of work by top-flight arts is put together with skill and discernment. Illustrating the cachet of the event are impressive portraits in charcoal and oil by Frances Bell, a rising star at 24 who won a major prize at this year's Royal Society of Portrait Painters' exhibition.

Portraits of the Queen and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother by Theodore Ramos are among his many major commissions. Susan Ryder has similarly notable commissions but also enjoys painting interior and external scenes of homes.

Anthony Lawrence adopts an unusual style with some striking backgrounds for his oil paintings of famous faces, while sculptor Judy Boyt captures the character of dogs in bronze.

t The exhibition is open by appointment until October 7. Telephone 01485 609091.