The Blue Frog: a David Willett Retrospective

Immerse yourself in the playful imagination of Sheffield-based artist David Willett (1962-2024), at this exhibition which journeys through his early, abstract work influenced by his favourite artist Cy Twombly, through to his later cityscapes and artworks made out of painted balsa wood strips.

The various themes of Dave’s work, as listed in one of his later sketchbooks, include: “Waiting; remembering; storage; cityscapes; travel; deserted places; memories; escape maps; collecting; future”.

At the exhibition you’ll meet The Agents of Folfira, invented during Dave’s treatment for cancer, a reference to FOLFIRI, a chemotherapy regime he was undergoing.

Thinly-disguised self-portrait sketches evolved into the finished work, including: Hydro Ride – The Fixer, Professor F – Leader of the F-Men and Meto – The Escapologist.

Most exhibition pieces are in Dave’s trademark painted balsa wood style, which he saw it as the culmination of the styles he had worked with throughout his career as an artist.

In the two years that he was on leave from work for cancer treatment, Dave’s artistic output was prolific, and he had his work accepted in various shows around the country and this led to Dave selling a number of his pieces.

Tickets are free and there’s no need to book, just drop in.