ART & GALLERY

An exhibition at the Old Big School Gallery celebrated the career of renowned artist Anthony Whishaw, a Royal Academician and a former Tonbridge pupil (MH 1944-48).

From Tonbridge to Tate, which showed at the OBS in Michaelmas Term 2021, honoured Anthony’s considerable achievements and contribution to contemporary British Art.

Aged 91, and still painting daily, he made his name as one the key figures involved in the 1950s and 1960s Kensington and Chelsea art scene, an internationally known hotbed of London-based creativity.

The exhibition included several works never previously shown publicly, such as cartoons of staff from his time at Tonbridge and some very early paintings from his school and college days.

There were also fascinating personal artefacts on display, such as school reports and letters he wrote to his family while he was a boarder.

Anthony’s work, which deals with explorations of memory and experience, can be found in many prestigious international collections including The Royal Collection, the Tate Gallery and the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, to name but a few. He also has many national awards to his name, gained over several decades from the 1950s onwards.

James Priory, Headmaster, said: “We were thrilled to be able to celebrate the connection between Anthony’s life and vision as an artist and his time at Tonbridge as a schoolboy. His curiosity and wonder about the way in which we see things is an inspiration.” l Two very special guests who visited the From Tonbridge To Tate exhibition were the playwright Sir David Hare, and fashion designer and sculptor Nicole Farhi, pictured in the OBS Gallery with James Priory.

Anthony presented a special art prize, named in his honour, to Jack Burnett, one of Tonbridge’s 2021 leavers. The Anthony Whishaw Art Prize, consisting of two books about, and signed by, the artist, went to the pupil who demonstrated the greatest commitment and passion in the visual arts throughout his time at Tonbridge.

As part of his prize, Jack also had a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the Royal Academy.

Fian Andrews, Head of Art, said: “Jack has shown great resourcefulness to push himself well outside of his comfort zone and produce highly ambitious artwork. He plans to embark on a career in the creative industries, and I have every confidence that he will be highly successful.”

An exhibition in the Lent Term showcased some of the extraordinary talent to be found in today’s global illustration industry. ‘WIA2021’ was a celebration of the creativity, imagination and vitality of professionals from all parts of the globe who work in this exciting art form.

The show displayed more than 40 award-winning and highly commended projects, telling the story of the ideas, processes and artists behind the images. Visitors viewed around 140 illustrative works, including a digital showreel.