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Ben Rea, Illustrator

June 9, 2015
by the gentle author

Ben Rea has been Illustrator-in-Residence at Dennis Severs House recently, meticulously recording every inch of the rambling old mansion to create the elaborate cross section you can see below, accompanied by his working drawings all annotated with measurements. This picture forms the centrepiece of Ben’s first London exhibition A SLICE OF SPITALFIELDS, which opens at Townhouse in Fournier St this Friday 12th June and runs until 12th July.

(Click on the image above to enlarge)

Ben Rea at the launch of the Save Norton Folgate campaign last February

Drawings copyright © Ben Rea

Portrait copyright © Simon Mooney

Ben Rea’s exhibition A SLICE OF SPITALFIELDS runs from 12th June until 12th July at Townhouse, 5 Fournier St, 11 – 6 daily

8 Responses leave one →
  1. John Montague permalink
    June 9, 2015

    WOW!! Great work, Ben. Thank you, GA, for sharing them with us.
    John

  2. June 9, 2015

    Years ago in the early 90s an acquaintance of mine met with Denis Severs and toured his house as a possible location. At one point they stood opposite the house, higher up as I recall, and he said how it was about this time of day… and then said to look at one of the windows in his house. There was a woman in period dress waving back at them. My friend was quite disconcerted as she swore there had been no one in the house but I wonder to this day whether it was a little piece of theater. Would love to hear from others on this

  3. Elizabeth cornwell permalink
    June 9, 2015

    What amazing drawings & how detailed!Love the picture of the facade,theyre lovely red bricks!

  4. Peter Holford permalink
    June 9, 2015

    Such meticulous measurements and with no sign of a ruler being used!

  5. June 9, 2015

    Wonderful drawings!

    Love & Peace
    ACHIM

  6. June 9, 2015

    Wonderful! The meticulous drafts are awe-inspiring.

  7. Sonia murray permalink
    June 9, 2015

    Brilliant! What wonderful, detailed drawings, so beautifully colored in shades that are true to the period. This is evocative, taking me through the walls of documents and wills into the everyday lives of the people and the time I’m studying. Thank you, Ben!

    And thank you, Gentle Author, for giving us all so much pleasure every morning, with your work!

    All the best,
    Sonia

  8. June 9, 2015

    Such wonderful drawings and so detailed too! Thank you GA for introducing us to Bens works.

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