History and Art of South Georgia

The South Georgia Association is holding a two-day “History and Art of South Georgia” in-person event at the British Antarctic Survey, Madingley Road, Cambridge on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 July 2026. On the Friday evening, there is a Drinks Reception and Event Dinner at Homerton College.

This is a wonderful opportunity to hear about and discuss aspects of the history, the ships, and the people who have visited and worked there, and experience the art of South Georgia from past and contemporary artists.

The speakers include Linda Widmark (descendant of whaler Carl Anton Larsen), contemporary abstract landscape artist; Dame Barbara Rae RA; natural world and wildlife artist, Bruce Pearson SWLA; master mariner, Rear Admiral Nick Lambert, and Professor Emeritus, Bjørn Basberg, an industrial, whaling and maritime historian.

The first day covers the history of the establishment of Grytviken in 1904 by C. A. Larsen, and the later building of the Discovery Investigations laboratory in 1924-25 by the UK at King Edward Point. .

The focus of the second day is the art of South Georgia from past to present. The artwork of Norwegian whalers will be described by speakers from the Sandefjord Whaling Museum.

Paintings by the late Dick Laws (former Director of the British Antarctic Survey) will be exhibited alongside other South Georgia art from the British Antarctic Survey Archive Collection.

For tickets go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/history-and-art-of-south-georgia-tickets-1985774597276?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

·Reduced ticket prices for members (£15 per annum – see website). In-person ticket sales close on Friday 12 June.

Livestreaming ticket sales will close on Thursday 09 July 2026.