Events

Celebrating Tom Phillips- artist, musician and writer

Tom Phillips sits in his studio surrounded by his work.

In association with The Oxford International Song Festival, St Catherine’s College is delighted to co-host an afternoon and evening of song, art and conversation to celebrate the extraordinary life and work of Catz alumnus, Tom Phillips RA (1937 – 2022).  The day will consist of three special events: a lunchtime concert, a guided tour of St Catherine’s and a talk in the Bernard Sunley Lecture Theatre at St Catherine’s College.

The day will commence with a lunchtime performance at 1pm in the Holywell Music Room, featuring music by Tom Phillips, including his own graphic scores. The fascinating programme will be performed by the brilliant mezzo-soprano Lotte Betts-Dean and Joanna MacGregor. Well-known actor Samuel West will join them to read extracts of Tom Phillips’ writings.

At 3pm, the afternoon will continue with guided tours of St Catherine’s College to view the three spectacular Tom Phillips tapestries that hang in the College dining hall. Catz will also display Phillips’ sketches for them, as well as a number of other works loaned especially for the occasion. We will meet at the Porters’ Lodge at 3pm, and tea and coffee will be served at the end of the tour.

At 5pm, a conversation about Tom Phillips’ work and art with Clara Barbier Serrano, Joanna Kacperek, Fiona Maddocks, Richard Ovenden and Netia Jones will be the third and final event in our day of celebration. The conversation will be punctuated with songs and piano pieces directly linked to Tom Phillips’ paintings.

Date

17 October, 2023

Time

13.00 - 18.00

Venue

Holywell Music Room, Holywell St, Oxford OX1 3SB and St Catherine's College, Manor Road, Oxford, OX1 3UJ 

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