Exhibition Programme 2016
The RWA (Royal West of England Academy) - Bristol’s first art gallery – presents local, national and international visual art by foremost artists from the past and present. By bringing contemporary and historic works together in new contexts, and through a programme of learning opportunities for all ages, the RWA aims to inspire and nurture creativity in everybody. Papadeli at the RWA
Venue Hire
Discover ‘legendary’ cakes, locally-sourced salads and tapas plates, rustic sandwiches and healthy kids meals from Bristol favourite, Papadeli. Relax with a Fairtrade coffee or tea, or choose from a list of specially selected wines and beers, served in a uniquely beautiful setting.
The RWA offers a range of unique and breath-taking spaces for your event, meeting or celebration. Read more on page 15.
Support Us
Visit drawingschool.org.uk for upcoming courses and workshops.
The RWA is an independent charity and relies on the continued generosity of Patrons, Friends and supporters. Find out how you can be part of RWA’s future on page 15.
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RWA Drawing School A supportive and inspiring environment to explore the possibilities of drawing. Read more on page 14.
RWA Shop Discover an excellent selection of art books and limited edition prints plus cards, homeware, jewellery and gifts designed and crafted by local artists. Visit the website for top picks and special offers.
162 Annual Open Exhibition, 2014. Photo RWA
Exhibition Calendar
2016 Dates
Pages
Inquisitive Eyes
6 February–12 June
4 + 5
Imagined Landscapes
6 February–12 June
6
Simon Quadrat
6 February–12 June
7
Bristol School of Art Exhibition
1–13 March
11
Brain Art
22 March–17 April
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Artist Network Exhibition
23 April–15 May
10
University of Bristol Collaborative Curatorial Exhibition
19 May–19 June
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Costume, Scenic Art, Theatre Design BOVTS
23–29 June
10
Jamaican Pulse
25 June–11 September
8 + 9
Bristol Loves Tides -‘Hydropoetics’
5–24 July
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164 Annual Open Exhibition
9 October–27 November
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Inquisitive Eyes 6 February–12 June
Featuring artists including Augustus John, William Orpen and John Everett, Inquisitive Eyes reveals, for the first time, the importance of the Wessex landscape during a pivotal moment in British art. In the early twentieth century, a group of radical artists who were associated with the Slade School of Art and the New English Art Club, explored and expanded the boundaries of art while roaming the hills around Purbeck. This rural Dorset retreat played host to an informal artists’ ‘colony’ - evidently as significant as St. Ives or Newlyn, but hitherto unrecognised. This ground-breaking new exhibition of works, produced during this fascinating period, offers new insight into the development of British art.
The exhibition also features major works by Roger Fry and Vanessa Bell, whose depictions of the Wessex coastline afford an intriguing comparison with the previously assumed ‘modern’ work of the Slade painters, suggesting that the modernist battle was, in fact, waged upon the beaches of Dorset. Curated by Gwen Yarker, Inquisitive Eyes is supported by The Foyle Foundation and The Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art and is held in partnership with the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (NMM). Loans include major works from national collections including the NMM, British Museum and National Portrait Gallery, as well as privately owned works by Philip Wilson Steer, Henry Tonks, William Orpen and Vanessa Bell – some unseen for generations.
Supported by:
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The Blue Pool, Augustus John, 1911, oil on canvas Š The estate of Augustus John, Bridgeman Images/Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museum, Scotland.
' A lost chapter in British art '
Imagined Landscapes 6 February–12 June
Imagined Landscapes explores an alternative understanding of place in contemporary art and the role of the artist as spatial narrator, cartographer and geographer. In response to visions of Wessex – an imagined literary place – found in Inquisitive Eyes, this multi-disciplinary group exhibition visits imaginary and real spaces, where myth and memory blend and landscapes are mapped, re-imagined and collaged back together. Through fictional topographies, ancient sites and transparent borders, the exhibition explores our relationship to place, both real and imagined.
Once Upon a Time II (detail),Gill Rocca, oil on canvas, 2016. Photo Gill Rocca
Some artists furrow through the land, extracting a sense of place from the ground itself, or use feathers, stone and chalk to evoke the physical history of a site. On the surface, these imagined landscapes reveal traces, marks and pathways, creating fissures in the land where histories are revived and new stories are created. Featured artists include: Jethro Brice, Iain Biggs RWA, Stephen Felmingham, Selia Fernandez Arconada, Paul FieldsendDanks, Paul Gough RWA, Lydia Halcrow, Tim Harrisson RWA, Rae Hicks, Eileen Lawrence RSA, Will Mclean RSA, Gill Rocca, Melanie Rose, Jem Southam and Veronica Vickery.
Simon Quadrat PPRWA 6 February–12 June
University of Bristol Collaborative Curatorial Exhibition 19 May–19 June
In this intimate solo exhibition, Simon Quadrat explores notions of place and memory, evoking visions of the past that are both nostalgic and full of narrative possibility.
This spring, the RWA will be working with students from the University of Bristol’s MA course in History of Art to curate an exhibition in response to Inquisitive Eyes and Imagined Landscapes by selecting works from the RWA’s permanent collection. Discover rarely-seen treasures, selected and interpreted by the curators of tomorrow.
Fusing imagery from his childhood in 1950s London, his migrant ancestors and his own travels, Quadrat constructs landscapes from the industrial cityscapes, abandoned fairgrounds and weathered buildings of his imagination and memory. Quadrat was elected an RWA in 2004 and was president between 2010 and 2011. In 2015 he became the New English Art Club’s newest member. He is represented by Panter and Hall, London.
The exhibition is delivered in partnership with the Department of History of Art, University of Bristol. Supported by:
Night Flight, Simon Quadrat, oil on canvas, 2011
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Jamaican Pulse Art and Politics from Jamaica and the Diaspora 25 June–11 September The RWA presents a landmark exhibition of Jamaican visual art - the first major exhibition of its kind ever to be held outside of Jamaica. At a time when Jamaican art is receiving growing international acclaim, Jamaican Pulse showcases the extraordinary diversity of Jamaican art, presenting contemporary artwork alongside key works from Jamaican art history. While surveying the roots of modern Jamaican art and suggesting new links between past and present, the exhibition also explores the artwork through a political lens and considers how global attitudes to body, gender, religion, class and sexuality have impacted this small island nation. By creating a conversation between the Jamaican diaspora population across the UK and internationally, Jamaican Pulse looks back at early artistic and political awakening, whilst also creating a platform for contemporary artists.
B.I.B. Kimani Beckford, oil on canvas, 2014
Many of the artists in the exhibition also featured in the recent, critically-acclaimed Jamaica Biennale. Their work spans multiple disciplines including painting, sculpture, photography, textile and moving image, and will be supported by twentieth century artwork from a number of public and private collections, including the Jamaican High Commission, London, and the National Gallery of Jamaica, Kingston. Jamaican Pulse will be accompanied by an exciting learning and participation programme, with activities taking place on and off-site, including a satellite programme at The Bluecoat, Liverpool. Jamaican Pulse is delivered in partnership with the Jamaican High Commission and is supported by Arts Council England and the Art Fund. It is co-curated by Kat Anderson and Graeme Mortimer Evelyn on behalf of the RWA.
' A landmark exhibition of Jamaican art ' Supported by:
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Artist Network Exhibition 23 April–15 May
Costume, Scenic Art, Theatre Design Bristol Old Vic Theatre School 23–29 June
This group exhibition features work by members of the RWA Artist Network - a group of artists who are shaping and supporting RWA's future. The exhibition will demonstrate the breadth of talent amongst the Network's members.
Costume, Scenic Art, Theatre Design showcases the next generation of talented production students to graduate from the renowned Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and offers a ‘behind-the-scenes’ view of theatre-making in action.
The Network provides an opportunity for practising artists to engage with the RWA, offering access to a wider peer network and invaluable professional advice. Members receive a number of benefits and contribute to the RWA’s engagement programme.
The exhibition provides a unique insight into the creative and technical talent of the students and demonstrates how closely the school’s departments must work to produce theatre of the highest professional standards. The exhibition places the students’ work firmly in the limelight, focusing on creative activity normally hidden backstage. The exhibition presents a fascinating view of the theatre-making process, and of the exceptional training offered at this internationally-respected centre of excellence.
For more information about joining the RWA Artist Network visit rwa.org.uk
The Merchant of Venice, set design Elina Pieridou and costume design Sam Martin, courtesy of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
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School and Community Exhibitions at the RWA
Bristol School of Art
Brain Art
Foundation Diploma Mid-Year Show
22 March–17 April
1–13 March
In 2015, schools across Bristol and the surrounding areas were invited to create artworks inspired by the human brain. As part of the Bristol Neuroscience Festival (18 March 2016), this display comprises a selection of the winning entries.
Recent work by Art and Design Foundation students at Bristol School of Art, including sculpture, fashion design and printmaking. Gaining invaluable work experience, the students are involved with all aspects of the exhibition, including its installation, marketing and interpretation.
Bristol Loves Tides‘Hydropoetics’ 5–24 July An exhibition of drawing, painting, sculpture, poetry, performance, sound and film celebrating the collaborative efforts of the Bristol Loves Tides primary school project. Children worked with actors, artists, scientists, environmentalists, academics and their teachers to create an exhibition that considers the impact of the tides on their lives and their city’s past, present and future.
Elmlea School visit, 2015. Photo RWA
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164 Annual Open Exhibition 9 October–27 November Now in its 164th year, the RWA's Annual Open Exhibition is a key date in the art calendar. This popular exhibition features a diverse collection of works by local, national and international artists that have been selected and curated by an expert panel. Last year’s exhibition included 593 works by 386 artists, ranging from leading contemporary names to first time exhibitors, and included painting, drawing, illustration, sculpture and photography. All work is for sale, and the exhibition attracts art-lovers and art-buyers from far and wide. If you are interested in submitting your work for the exhibition, please visit the RWA website or call the box office.
Annual Open Exhibition, 2015. Photo Alice Hendy
How to Buy Art With prices starting from around £25, and an eclectic mix of work by established and emerging artists to choose from, the exhibition offers an ideal opportunity to take home a masterpiece. Buying a piece of art can be daunting but the RWA makes this process easy and enjoyable. The RWA sales team are on hand to help and advise, ensuring you find the perfect artwork to suit your taste and budget. The RWA is part of the Arts Council's Own Art Scheme which could help you to spread interest-free payments over 10 months (T&Cs apply). For more information, visit the RWA website or call the box office. Supported by:
Art History Day Schools
Family at the RWA
Explore the contexts, themes and stories behind major exhibitions and world-famous artworks in these fascinating day schools. Led by experienced tutors, the sessions are relaxed, fun and open to everyone. All study days run from 10.30am to 4.30pm with breaks. Saturday 13 February Four London Painters: Frank Auerbach, Francis Bacon, Prunella Clough, Lucian Freud. Saturday 9 April A More Unconventional Training: Slade School Artists in the West Country. Saturday 24 September Georgia O’Keeffe: A Great American Artist. Saturday 26 November Paul Nash: Landscape and Dream.
Scribble and Sketch
Let’s Make Art
Saturdays 6 February, 12 March, 2 April, 7 May, 4 June and 2 July, 10.30am–12.30pm
5 April (Easter holidays); 5 October (Autumn half term)
A morning of fun and informal creative activities for families of all ages. Scribble and Sketch EXTRA Saturdays 6 February, 12 March, 2 April, 7 May, 4 June and 2 July, 2.30pm–4pm A structured art-making workshop during which children will explore a range of skills, techniques and styles.
Check rwa.org.uk for more information Supported by:
Children’s art and craft workshops. Printmaking with Sophie Rae 7 April (Easter holidays); 2 June (Spring half-term); 27 October (Autumn half-term) Bristol artist Sophie Rae presents accessible print workshops for children and families. Don’t forget to check the RWA website for more family fun later in the year!
Supported by:
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RWA Drawing School provides a supportive and inspiring environment where you can explore the possibilities of drawing, both as an art form in its own right and as an essential part of the creative process.
All classes are led by experienced tutors, offering support and a wealth of expert advice, and techniques include working in acrylic, oil paint, watercolour, clay and specialist inks, amongst many others.
Catering for all levels and abilities, the school offers a diverse programme of high quality courses spread over 3, 5 or 10 weeks and a range of shorter workshops, including sessions taking place offsite in unusual and inspiring locations. Amongst our impressive variety of classes you will find opportunities to explore representational, abstract and experimental drawing techniques with access to life models and a variety of botanical, landscape and still life subjects.
As a student of RWA Drawing School you will benefit from access to RWA facilities including free entrance to exhibitions during courses or workshops and discounts in Papadeli cafĂŠ. Classes fill up quickly, so please book early to avoid disappointment For more information, or to book your place, please visit drawingschool.org.uk
RWA Drawing School, 2015. Photo RWA
Venue Hire
Support Us
The RWA offers a range of unique and breath-taking spaces for your event, meeting or celebration. Located in the heart of Bristol, RWA’s historic galleries, flexible meeting spaces and beautiful balcony provide distinctive backdrops for corporate and private events.
The RWA is an independent charity (1070163) that receives no revenue funding from the government. By supporting us, you can be a part of the RWA’s future and get closer to the work we do.
For further information contact events@rwa.org.uk
Papadeli catering in the main galleries, photo RWA
Be a Patron Patronage of the RWA begins at just £25 per month and not only enables you to support us but also provides unique opportunities and privileged access to the building and exhibitions.
Let’s be Friends
For more information, please ask for a leaflet or Join The Friends of the RWA contact the Director, and enjoy unlimited repeat Alison Bevan. visits, invitations to private views, a range of special talks and events, and Join our team much more, for less than Volunteers are the lifeblood £3 per month. of the RWA. There are lots Pick up a leaflet, ask a of opportunities to get member of staff or visit involved in all aspects of the friendsrwa.org.uk for organisation, and to make more information. some new friends along the way. To be a part of the team, email volunteers@rwa.org.uk
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Tickets
Opening Times
Admission is charged (please see rwa.org.uk for details)
Galleries and Papadeli Cafe
The RWA is a self-supporting, independent charity (1070163). All admission charges contribute to delivering exhibitions and learning activities. The RWA depends on the continued generosity of supporters, Patrons and Friends. Admission is free for all under 16s and local university students (please contact us or see website for more information).
Front Cover Image: II Treez in a Forest, Ebony G. Patterson, 2013, watercolor, glitter, fabric, and mixed-media on paper. Photo courtesy of the artist and Monique Meloche Gallery, Chicago © Ebony Patterson, 2013. Private Collection.
Tuesday–Saturday 10am–6pm Sunday 11am–5pm Closed Mondays, except Bank Holidays Last admission 30 minutes before closing. The RWA occasionally closes early for special events. Please call ahead or check the website for details.
Royal West of England Academy Queen’s Road, Clifton Bristol BS8 1PX rwa.org.uk Box office: 0117 973 5129 Join the conversation @rwabristol /royalwestof englandacademy /rwabristol