On Saturday 30th May, we will be holding a PMF visit to a unique temporary exhibition of archaeological illustrator Alan Sorrell’s paintings and sketches of the UNESCO International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia in southern Egypt and north Sudan in the Winter of 1961-2. Alan Sorrell was a local Southend artist who became a sought-after archaeological illustrator. During the Nubian Rescue Campaign, the Illustrated London News commissioned him to make a visual record of the excavations, archaeology and landscape of Nubia shortly before it was drowned by Lake Nasser. This is the first major display of his works in over 25 years and includes incredible views of the walls of Buhen under excavation, Abu Simbel under variable conditions, and excavations at Arminna. The exhibition also offers a fascinating insight into the landscape of the Nubian Nile valley, the archaeology of Nubia and Nubian society, at a point just before they were utterly changed by Lake Nasser.
Arriving at 11am, we will have time for a review of the exhibition before lunch at a nearby restaurant. After lunch we will return to the Beecroft Art Gallery lecture theatre for some further context on Alan Sorrell and the exhibition from the curator, Kevin Marsh. The visit will be finished by 4pm.
The cost of £10, includes a donation to the Beecroft Art Gallery and the Friends of the Petrie Museum.
Southend Victoria Station, Liverpool Street line terminus, is only 500m away from the Beecroft Art Gallery. You can also travel to Southend Central on the Fenchurch Street line and walk approximately 0.5 miles up Southend high street. For those travelling by car, the Beecroft Car Park is right next to the gallery on Victoria Avenue.
To join the visit please respond to this email using the form at the end. Spaces are limited so you are advised to respond as soon as possible. Please ensure you include your name and whether you would like to join us for lunch or not. Please reply using the subject line ‘Alan Sorrell – Nubia’ to the usual address pmf@friendsofpetrie.org.uk
You can make a bank transfer of £10 to the account of:
Friends of the Petrie Museum, Royal Bank of Scotland PO Box 16204, Birmingham B2 2WP, UK
Account name: FRIENDS OF THE PETRIE MUSEUM
Sort Code: 16-01-02
Account number: 11040853
BIC: RBOSGB2L
IBAN: GB25RBOS16010211040853
If you want to make your payment by PayPal please let us know and we will send a PayPal invoice.
We look forward to hearing from you and to seeing you on the day! We will be in touch the week before the visit.
For more details and a review of the exhibition:
https://www.southendmuseums.co.uk/exhibitions/coming-soon…alan-sorrell-‘nubia‘ https://hannahpethen.com/2025/10/29/exhibition-review-alan-sorrell-nubia/
