A Tale of Two Gills

Needham boasts a highly accomplished musician – Gill Alexander – as well as an outstanding and acclaimed artist – Gill Levin – but they are one and the same person!

Gill Alexander:

Gill moved to Needham in the early 1980s following a four-day holiday in the area when she first saw the 18th Century Tithe Barn on Mill Lane and it was love at first sight. The property was soon purchased and arrangements made for Gill and her daughter to move from Putney to the wilds of Norfolk.

Money was tight so Gill began giving music lessons for children and later for adults. The classes were expanded over the years and music groups were organised, including a jazz band and a classical octet. The Barn soon became famous for its regular ‘Barn’ jazz concerts which are still run today. Gill is also a regular performer at The Kings Head, Brockdish, the Swan in Harleston and numerous other local venues. Later this year Gill will be appearing with her quartet at the Lowestoft Jazz Festival.

Many generations of people owe their introduction and subsequent success in music to Gill Alexander and her determination to bring this art form to Needham. Even at the age of 82 she continues to entertain, educate and inspire through her passion for music.

In order to find out more about the Barn Concerts and Art Exhibitions go to the website: www.gilllevin.wordpress.com




Gill Levin FRSA

Born in Hampton, Middlesex in 1935, brought up in Chelsea, Gill attended Chelsea School of Art 1951-56 on scholarships, studying Fine Art, Sculpture, Lettering, Printmaking and Graphic Art, majoring in Fine Art. She later worked for the Design Centre, Haymarket and also set up businesses producing silver jewellery and ran a shop selling her ceramics and paintings.

Her work can be classified according to four diverse themes: landscapes; grasses; my garden; and structures. The bold paintings of industrial structures of Battersea Power Station and Brighton West Pier are in direct contrast to the delicate landscapes and plants in her other works. More recently she has added mines as a source of inspiration for her painting.

Gill has lately formed a new group of painters called ’The Waveney Nine’ who are all trained and have extensive exhibiting and teaching experience. Their inaugural exhibition will take place later this year – see website for updates.: www.gilllevin.wordpresscom

NEXT TIME: learn about Gill’s involvement in HWAT – Harleston & Waveney Art Trail (https://hwat.org.uk)