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Headlines 5 John Lowe at Athelhampton House Athelhampton House, in the heart of Dorset, is one of England’s fi nest Tudor Manors. The Great Hall was built in 1485 and remains mostly unchanged, boasting original features such as a hammer-beam roof, carved stonework and stained glass windows. There are 20 rooms open to visit, all showcasing magni fi cent period details, from the 1400s to the 1930s. On the second fl oor of the historic East Wing, next to an old servant's bedroom, there is a new art gallery. Leaving the bright clean gallery space you descend the oak staircase back into the darker historic space, with ancient portraits, panelled rooms and stone carved fi replaces. A fabulous environment for this exhibition, a house which the artist has depicted several times. Suzy Rushbrook JOHN LOWE: ‘HOUSE PORTRAITS’ 9 March - 31 May Athelhampton House, Athelhampton Road, PUDDLETOWN, Dorchester, DT2 7LG. 10am - 5pm. 01305 848363. ‘ATHELHAMPTON HOUSE, 1862’ john-lowe.co.uk athelhampton.com This bright attic space overlooking stunning grounds has the capacity to hold a considerable body of work. Here, John Lowe will be showcasing a rather appropriate collection of work. Known for his house portraits, John originally trained as an architect and is a lover of all ancient buildings. He has previously held the role of Historic Buildings Of fi cer for Dorset County Council and was involved in initiatives such as best thatching practice and windows guidance. His years of knowledge and experience come together in his recent publication Dorset Houses , which takes us from the Bronze Age right through to the Twenty First Century via his beautiful illustrations. His work is mostly mixed media on paper, inspired by traditional western architectural imagery and drawing techniques, elements of Japanese printmaking, and the illustrations of Alan Sorrell and Posy Simmonds. John has the ability to make his house portraits bright, friendly, and magnanimous, they glow from inside and are very obviously homes and not just bricks and mortar.