Cynthia Kenny: A city framed - now open at Wakefield Museum

We've opened a new exhibition at Wakefield Museum celebrating the life and work of local artist, Cynthia Kenny (1929-2021)!

The exhibition, Cynthia Kenny: A city framed, is open until June 2026. It explores our changing city through the artist’s eyes.

Photo credit: Nick Singleton

Cynthia Kenny was one of Wakefield’s most important artists. She painted places in Britain and beyond and exhibited around the world. But Wakefield always held a special place in her heart. From the 1960s to 2000s, Kenny documented Wakefield’s changing landscape.

The exhibition features cityscapes, rural scenes, and detailed studies of buildings. Visitors can admire iconic views and well-known landmarks and discover Wakefield’s hidden gems.

As well as producing her own intricate works, she was a founding member of Wakefield Art Club. Kenny was also a trustee for the Friends of Wakefield Art Gallery and Museum for many years.

The artworks are also brought to life by a new soundscape, created by artist Michelle Duxbury. Her recordings from the city to evoke a day in the life of Cynthia’s Wakefield. Duxbury has also recorded creative audio descriptions for several of the exhibition’s star works.

You can also find out more about Kenny’s influence and legacy. Enjoy an exclusive new film by Nick Singleton featuring interviews with Kenny’s friends, colleagues, and contemporaries.

The exhibition also reveals how Cynthia Kenny continues to inspire artists today, showcasing new photography by members of the Wakefield Museums and Castles Youth Forum.

There's more info, photos and videos from the exhibition on our Cynthia Kenny: a city framed page.