Exhibition celebrates masterpieces of East Anglia

An new exhibition celebrating the cultural heritage of East Anglia features diverse exhibits including Henry Moore and a 700,000 BC handaxe

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Cotman's Storm on a Yarmouth beach | Masterpieces: Art and East Anglia | Exhibition | Art

A Norwich exhibition is looking back at the cultural heritage of East Anglia with 250 'masterpieces' inspired by, produced in and associated with the area.

Marking the University of East Anglia's 50th anniversary, Masterpieces: Art and East Anglia is open to the public at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts.

Jam-packed with works - ranging from paintings to sculpture, ceramics to fashion and photography to architecture - the gallery's display juxtaposes antique treasures with modern pieces.

One of the highlights is a 700,000 BC flint handaxe found on Happisburgh beach in Norfolk. Discovered in 2000, it proved that humans lived in the UK 100,000 years early than thought.

The handaxe is shown alongside Henry Moore's Reclining Figure sculpture carved from an ironstone pebble found on the same beach in 1930.

Celebrating the region's incredible churches with a 14th Century painting from Norwich cathedral, the presentation also features a lifesize bronze head of Roman emperor Claudius.

Masterpieces: Art and East Anglia will run at Norwich's Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts until 24 February 2013.

Tickets cost £8 for adults, £6 for students and £4 for 5-12 year olds

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