Thursday 26 January 2017

Lottie Stoddart: solo exhibition at Westminster Abbey



Lottie Stoddart (DY 2015) has a solo exhibition coming up at Westminster Abbey. Last year Lottie was granted special access to draw in the abbey and will be exhibiting the drawings and paintings she made there. Lottie first became interested in Westminster Abbey as a subject for investigation through visiting it on the William Blake course with Mark Cazalet.  She says: 'Being able to repeatedly revisit has enabled me to get to know this, initially, very overwhelming building and create work that reflects my experience of the juxtaposing periods and centuries of re-workings.' Alumni are warmly invited to the Private View on 9 February 6 - 7,30pm. Address: St Margaret St, Westminster, London SW1P 3JX. The exhibition will be open 10-16 February. More info here. A set of cards is also on sale in the Abbey Shop. 

Drawing at Westminster Abbey

Over the course of 2016 I was given the wonderful opportunity to spend an intensive period drawing inside Westminster Abbey. My first visit, following in the footsteps of William Blake, was with the Royal Drawing School, and formed the idea of returning and engaging with the Abbey's interior for a longer period. 
            My work investigates spaces that evoke the sacred. My previous works on this theme have included London graveyards, ancient woodlands and most recently tree veneration in India. Many evocations of Westminster abbey concentrate on the monumental, but I have sought out the personal and intimate where visual juxtapositions have occurred through time, architectural style and changing use. The Abbey's central shrine and surrounding chapels have made me consider how sacred spaces are glimpsed, hidden and revealed which was essential to creating the accompanying drawing to this articleTowards the Shrine.
            Colour is very important in my work and I have used specific combinations to act like musical chords playing over the Abbey. Alongside a carefully restricted colour palette, both drawings and paintings are simplified or slightly abstracted in a conversation between the subject and my own internal narratives. Visiting the Abbey over such a long period; several days per months over the year, has strengthened my connection and relationship to this sacred space, and I hope the viewer can share my experience.
            I am deeply indebted to Scott Craddock for coordinating my visits to the Abbey and I would like to thank all those at the Abbey and St. Margaret's who have enabled this project and my first solo exhibition. 


Lottie Stoddart

Wednesday 11 January 2017

Neal Jones in two-person exhibition


CONDO 2017 is a collaborative exhibition and art event happening over the next few weeks. 21 contemporary art galleries from as far afield as New York, Berlin, São Paolo, Dusseldorf and Shanghai are taking up month-long residence at 15 of London’s young galleries. Exhibition dates: 14 Jan11 Feb 2017. Preview Sat 14 & Sun 15 January, 12–6pm. Click here to visit the website and download a map.


As part of the Condo exhibition programme, Southard Reid gallery will be exhibiting artwork by Neal Jones (DY 2003). Southard Reid is hosting Koppe Astner gallery from Glasgow. Kris Lemsalu + Neal Jones: 14 Jan - 11 Feb 2017 


'Happy Shopper' by Neal Jones (2014)

Clara Drummond and Kirsty Buchanan in conversation


The William Morris Society in West London has an upcoming event that features two alumnae, Clara Drummond (DY 2005) and Kirsty Buchanan (DY 2013). Their joint exhibition The Unsung Muse was shown there in the summer of 2016.

Clara Drummond and Kirsty Buchanan in conversation
Sat 28 January 2017 2,15 – 3,30 pm / In this talk Clara and Kirsty will discuss their influences and ways of working, and explain how research into the Society's collections inspires and informs their work. Tickets can be purchased here.

Tim Hyman: Lecture on Chagall

Liza Dimbleby and Tim Hyman (RDS Senior Faculty) are hosting a joint event at Pushkin House in London on 18 January, 7 - 8,30 pm:

Tim Hyman: Lecture on  Chagall’s etchings for Dead Souls with an introduction by Liza Dimbleby. Details here.

Tuesday 10 January 2017

Paul Fenner solo exhibition, Mercer Chance Gallery

Paul Fenner (DY 2012) will be exhibiting a new series of paintings at Mercer Chance Gallery in Hoxton.

'Paul Fenner: Smoke Signals' 20 - 28 January, Private View Friday 20 January 7 - 10 pm. New gallery opening hours: Friday 10-2pm and Saturday and Sunday 11-6pm or by appointment. 


A painting by Paul Fenner

Charlie Cobb solo exhibition, Petworth House

Charlie Cobb (DY 2004) has a solo exhibition at Petworth House in West Sussex from 7 January to 12 March. The exhibition runs alongside Turner & the Age of British Watercolour and consists of a number of paintings, drawings and etchings which are the result of his residency at the House. Charlie's studio was in the Old Library at Petworth House, which was once J.M.W. Turner's studio and featured in Mike Leigh's biographical drama about the artist's life. More info here
The Old Library at Petworth House

Charlie Reed solo exhibition

Charlie Reed (DY 2011) has an exhibition inspired by the River Wandle, one of London's better known rivers, which passes through the boroughs of Croydon, Sutton, Merton, joining the River Thames in Wandsworth. The exhibition is at Stable Yard, Morden Hall Park until 21 January. Click here to view details.