Church Times - Music: A Grand Chorus: The Power of Music at the Foundling Museum, London

My latest exhibition review for Church Times is on A Grand Chorus: The Power of Music at the Foundling Museum:

'The Foundling Hospital played a significant part in the treasured place that Messiah holds among choral societies in the UK. Handel conducted performances annually in the chapel of the Foundling Hospital from 1750 onwards and, as a result, Messiah’s reputation as a work linked to charitable causes spread, and it began to feature regularly, and as a finale, in the music festivals that began springing up regularly across England in this period.

This exhibition is not only engaging and interesting in its own right, but also marks the beginning of a new three-year programme focusing on music and care, which will investigate the impact music has on us as individuals and as a society.'

Other of my pieces for Church Times can be found here. My writing for ArtWay can be found here. My pieces for Artlyst are here, those for Seen & Unseen are here, and those for Art+Christianity are here.

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Handel - Messiah.

Fear not, for I am with you: An exhibition of religious paintings by David Sowerby

'Fear not, for I am with you: An exhibition of religious paintings by David Sowerby'
9 January – 3 April 2026
St Andrew’s Church, 11 London Road, Wickford SS12 0AN

View the exhibition and hear David speak about his work at ‘Unveiled’, the arts & performance evening at St Andrew’s Wickford, Friday 9 January, 7.00 pm.

St Andrew’s is usually open: Sat 9am-12.30pm; Sun 9.30am-12 noon; Mon 2-3.45pm; Tue 1-4.30pm; Wed 10am-12 noon; Fri 10am-1pm. https://wickfordandrunwellparish.org.uk/whats-on.html

David Sowerby
Born 24th October 1954
Studied Foundation at Middlesbrough Art College
BA (hons) Art and Design at The Central School of Art (London)

I worked as a freelance illustrator and teacher throughout my life and eventually retired as a Principal Lecturer at The University of the Arts London.

I now support a range of charities, both local and national, via my mutual interest and fascination with art and creativity.

An earlier exhibition was just prior to the first lockdown which was held at The Transition, Chelmsford, with proceeds going towards The British Heart Foundation raised just over £6,000.

I continue to support local and national charities, contributing a large percentage of any sales to such charitable organisations and causes.

My work can be viewed on my Facebook pages, search for David Sowerby with more available to view at Sowerbycreations (Facebook again)

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Rev Simpkins - John Henry's Prayer.