In 2014 Sula Rubens was appointed as the first ever Artist in Residence at the Michaelhouse in the heart of Cambridge. At one time, the second oldest college in the city and founded in the fourteenth century, the Michaelhouse sits amongst the colleges of the University.

Sula spent the first three months of the Residency working on site. Through drawing, she engaged with and observed the people as well as the architecture:

‘Michaelhouse intrigued me. I was aware of how its architectural layers have evolved, both as a building and as a central focus in the lives, culture and identity of its people’

She researched stories of Michaelhouse past and present, and immersed herself in the everyday life of the building, uncovering a distinctive human culture of worship, hospitality and culture. Her drawings, paintings and collages depict many of the architectural features of St. Michael’s church and the activities that take place throughout the building (recitals, communion services, choir practices, meetings and concerts.

To view images in close-up and detail, please click on them

MICHAELHOUSE STUDY, LUNCH & PRAYER     ink & watercolour on paper 32 x 37 cm

Click on images to enlarge. Click again for close up detail. More images can be found on this link to flickr and view the Michaelhouse album.

MICHAELHOUSE INTERIOR WITH 2 FIGURES watercolour & ink on paper 28 x 25 cm

MICHAELHOUSE CHORALE
watercolour, ink & acrylic on paper
41 x 49 cm

MICHAELHOUSE STUDY Ink & watercolour on paper 33 x 25 cm

MICHAELHOUSE STUDY, CHARLES I                                                         watercolour & ink on paper 23.5 x 16 cm

MICHAELHOUSE INTERIOR WITH FIGURE
acrylic & ink on paper 48 x 40 cm

MICHAELHOUSE STUDY
charcoal & Indian ink on paper

MICHAELHOUSE STUDY, HARVEY DE STANTON CHAPEL  Indian ink & watercolour on paper 57 x 44 cm

MICHAELHOUSE STUDY, WEST WINDOW
watercolour & ink on paper 65 x 50 cm

MICHAEL HOUSE STUDY, EAST WINDOW  watecolour & Indian ink on paper 60 x 50 cm

MICHAELHOUSE STUDY, EAST WINDOW
Indian ink on paper 42 x 29 cm

MICHAELHOUSE STUDY, CONCERT  ink, charcoal on paper 29 x 40 cm

MICHAELHOSE INTERIOR,  4 FRIENDS & COFFEE  acrylic & ink on paper 41 x 29 cm

MICHAELHOUSE ALTAR
collage, ink & watercolour on paper 33 x 25 cm

MICHAELHOUSE STUDY, WEST WINDOW charcoal, Indian ink, watercolour on paper 30 x 21 cm

MICHAELHOUSE STUDY, CONCERT  ink, charcoal on paper 9 x 40 cm