ARTS & EXHIBITIONS

STATE OF THE ART

Birthright: Journeys of Reconnection, Rainmaker Gallery, until 29 October This exhibition brings together two artists from different backgrounds who share a common experience. It documents the ongoing journeys of cultural reconnection by Wiradjuri and British painter Jasmine Coe and Muscogee (Creek) and Austrian-American textile artist Melinda Schwakhofer. Both artists grew up geographically and culturally separated from their respective Indigenous families. Reaching out to their estranged communities has profoundly affected their creative expression. Through textile, painting and printmaking, art has provided a vehicle for cultural exploration, self-determination, self-realisation and a sense of belonging. In a post-colonial world, millions of people find themselves growing up at distance from their ancestral homelands. The show is dedicated to all people experiencing journeys of cultural disconnection or reconnection.

• rainmakerart.co.uk Image: Flowing River Ripples, by Jasmine Coe

West Bristol Arts Trail, various locations around Bristol, 16 & 17 October

West Bristol Arts Trail is running from 11am –5pm on 16 and 17 October. The trail will be be formally opened by the current president of the RWA, Fiona Robinson MA PRWA, at a public preview on 15 October at Clifton High School, 6.30pm – 8pm. This free event is set to showcase approximately 100 local artists in 50 venues. Visitors will have the opportunity to browse each artist’s work and buy directly from the creator. West Bristol Arts recommends using public transport or a bicycle to tour the venues, as car-parking facilities are notoriously scarce. Visit West Bristol Arts for more information about the trail, the local artists appearing over the weekend and the venues included in the event.

• westbristolarts.com Image: artwork by Joanna Walter

Mellow, Lime Tree Gallery, 16 October –16 November

An exciting exhibition of beautifully subtle and tonal paintings by Scottish artist Michael Clark is appearing at Lime Tree Gallery this month. Speaking about the exhibition, Clark says: “The paintings are autobiographical, a response to my surroundings and if in my daydreams I find our garden in spring, I also find France in summer and autumn. Out of the chaos of recent times this collection of calm new work has emerged.”

• limetreegallery.com

Image: The Salon, Rue Royale, by Michael G Clark PAI RSW

The RWA Collection - Our Heritage, Our Future, 9 October – 27 November

Joining two recent acquisitions by Albert Irvin, the exhibition includes historic works by many of the RWA’s well-known members, such as Mary Fedden, Julian Trevelyan, Anne Redpath, David Inshaw and Dame Elisabeth Frink, as well as contemporary works by recent members such as Adelaide Damoah, Paul Thirkell and Leslie Glenn Damhus. Many of the historic works, still as fresh and interesting as when they were first produced, will receive their first showing in many years, in the largest exhibition of the collection in recent times. The exhibition aims to celebrate the diversity of styles, genres and media which has created a collection of significance in the South West; a legacy of beauty and creativity for everyone to enjoy for years to come.

• rwa.org.uk

Image: Agnes Augusta Talboys ARWA, Three Of Us, oil on canvas, 51cm diameter. RWA Collection. Photo copyright RWA (Royal West of England Academy).

Nic Dartnell, Open Space at Cass Art, Park Street, 27 September –17 October

Nic Dartnell is a Bristol-based artist who used to live and work in London. This is Nic’s second exhibition at Cass Art. After his previous show, in 2019, he won the People’s Choice Award at the Mall Gallery/Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI) in London. In recent years his work has mainly focused on images from Notting Hill Carnival and Kerala in Southern India. As there is no gallery commission at Cass Art, Nic is able to offer his paintings there at significantly lower prices than those he sells at major London galleries or to corporate buyers. See all his paintings on his website.

• nicdartnell.com Image: As Time Goes By, by Nic Dartnell

110th Annual Paintings Exhibition, The Bristol 1904 Arts Society, 23 –30 October

The Bristol 1904 Arts Society’s artistic roots run deep into the city’s creative history. In 2020, the society rebranded itself with a new name and new activities, more accurately portraying its current interests, as well as the enduring ones of painting, music, magic, poetry, storytelling and fellowship, progressing from an all-male society to an open, diverse, inclusive and welcoming one. The society encourages new membership, with artistic or musical talents –or none –and guests of members are very welcome. The society meets on Wednesday evenings in thehall built in the style of an old tithe barn adjacent to The Red Lodge on Park Row Bristol. The society’s major artistic event, open to the public, is the 110th Annual Paintings Exhibition running from 23 –30 October. Members who are pianists and jazz musicians will be entertaining visitors during the exhibition.