Leicester gallery launches with exhibition from esteemed local artist

Kirsteen Thomson

A new Leicester pub, the Knight & Garter, has announced the first exhibition to be held in the venue’s Gallery space.

The inaugural exhibition will celebrate the works of Kirsteen Thomson, a Leicester-based artist who will be displaying pieces depicting many of Leicestershire’s most famous landmarks and moments, from King Richard III to Kasabian at the King Power Stadium.

Kirsteen is perhaps best known for her paintings related to the life and landmarks of King Richard III, which came together in her book Richard III His Story, published in 2016. Kirsteen’s exhibition at Knight & Garter will take place on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 August allowing visitors who are in Leicestershire for the Bosworth Medieval Festival to also pay a visit.

The Richard III inspired painting that will be on display at this exhibition is one that has been hugely popular but has remained unnamed by Kirsteen as yet, with suggestions having been sent in to her from far and wide. In fact, it has proved so popular that following this exhibition the painting will move on to its new home in the King Richard III Visitor Centre.

Alongside this will be a wonderful depiction of Kasabian’s live shows at the King Power Stadium, a portrait of Kirby Muxloe Castle, a beautiful piece named Sunset Seascape, and a print of Kirsteen’s fantastic Leicester City Premier League triumph inspired painting, the original of which was hand signed by members of the team and sold to a couple in Jersey.

At the VIP launch on Thursday 17 August Kirsteen will be on hand to discuss the inspiration behind her pieces and prints of the Kasabian painting will also be on sale throughout the exhibition.

Knight & Garter Co-Owner, Sam Hagger, who is founder of The Beautiful Pubs Collective, which also runs The Rutland & Derby and The Forge in Glenfield, added: “The Gallery room downstairs at Knight & Garter is a wonderful space, which is perfect for both local and national artists to showcase their latest work. We’re so pleased to be opening the Gallery with Kirsteen’s exhibition as I’ve long been an admirer of her work and it seems a perfect fit given her close ties to Richard III, with us just a short distance from the KRIII Visitor Centre and Cathedral.”

“The pieces will appeal to a wide range of tastes, from football and music fans, to local architecture and history, and we look forward to welcoming everybody to the first of many exhibitions.”

The exhibition of Kirsteen Thomson’s work will open to the public on Friday 18 (midday to 8pm) and Saturday 19 August (11am to 7pm), following the VIP preview on Thursday 17 August. The Gallery is situated downstairs at Knight & Garter and is used as a cocktail bar or for private hire when not in use for an exhibition.

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