Thursday 31 October

Tickets £14 (Incl. £1.50 booking fee)

John Ward's portraits of the great and the good, the Royal Family and many more are much admired. Peter Williams, President of the Canterbury Festival, celebrates John Ward's fascinating life – ‘a delightful nonsense’ to quote Ward himself – with the launch of his biography of John, which will be preceded by a 25-minute film shot at his home in Kent.

Peter's book follows John Ward from his childhood in Hereford to London and the Royal Academy, and his studio at Bilting near Ashford. He explores his relationships with those who sat for him, his peers and records his trenchant and sometimes controversial views on art and artists.

Talks will last approximately one hour followed by a Q&A.

Books will be sold at the Talks and online by The Bookshop at Canterbury Christ Church University. For more information visit bookshop.canterbury.ac.uk/canterbury-festival-2024