A note from Amanda Game
‘Borderlands’ May 2018 Fen Ditton Gallery
“It seems almost incredible that is seven years since Lotte and I were exchanging daily, if not hourly!, emails about progress with the work to refit Fen Ditton Gallery. We worked long hours, enlisting the help of friends and relations: Matthew Maier of Brocklehurst Architects for the design of the fit out and lighting; Giles and Luke Munby for the installation of new windows and floor and a succession of other skilled people. We veered between excitement and sleepless nights as bills mounted and expectations grew. But, by the time we opened with ‘Borderlands’ in May 2018 showcasing Lotte’s photographs alongside silver and metalwork by Simone ten Hompel we knew we had something special: a beautifully lit, domestic scale space that could reveal what it is that artists, in all disciplines, do best: create visual experiences that animate new perspectives on our complex human world.
Hannah was involved at the outset setting up the website, pushing us to communicate digitally...she joined full time the following year. We got to know each other through building a programme that reflected, as Hannah says, our different interests. We met on common ground with our art and environment series, starting with Trees Observed, in Autumn 2018, returning to A Conversation with Trees last autumn. I learnt a lot about the art of photography – leading to a Festival of Photography in 2020 and the introduction of Paul Hart and his Fenland series. Printmaking prizes; A Young Collectors Club; Wine and Art Evenings; modest fundraisers for environmental charities; artist talks; walks and seminars. We have experimented with many ways of encouraging you to walk along the river to see us, and, we hope, buy from us, come rain or shine or muddy boots. Central to it all has been, is and will remain the space that is also Lotte’s home – generously shared in so many ways –; the skills and energy of Hannah and our common belief that taking art into your home, in however a modest way, is something worth doing. We look forward to seeing you soon.”