Exhibition Programme November 2017– April 2018
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The RWA (Royal West of England Academy) is Bristol’s first art gallery. Our world-class exhibitions bring together leading artists from the past and present. We aim to inspire and nurture creativity in everybody.
165 Annual Open Exhibition preview, RWA, photo Lisa Whiting
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The RWA is an independent charity (1070163) and relies on the continued generosity of its Patrons, Friends and sponsors. Read more on page 14.
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Your passport to a year of art at Bristol's first gallery. For only £15, the Art Pass allows you to visit all the RWA's exhibitions as many times as you please, for one whole year. Find out more at rwa.org.uk or visit the Welcome Desk.
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The Epiphany at the RWA Delicious fare made with locally-sourced ingredients. Try homemade cakes, sandwiches, frittatas and soups, plus freshly brewed coffees and organic teas. Tuesday - Friday 9am - 5.30pm Saturday 10am - 5.30pm, Sunday 11am - 5pm. Mondays, closed
165 Annual Open Exhibition Open until Sunday 3 December 2017
RWA Friends By joining the RWA Friends, not only will you get unlimited access to the exhibitions, but you will also get invited to all the exhibition previews and Friends’ events and lectures, for just £35 a year. Friends also receive a 10% discount in The Epiphany café and a 5% discount on RWA Drawing School classes.
The renowned RWA Annual Open Exhibition This year’s Invited Artists are Royal is now in its 165th year with over 600 works Academy President and prolific painter, by emerging and established artists. printmaker and sculptor Christopher Le Brun PRA, and photographic artist Tom This dynamic exhibition features painting, Hunter, known for his work documenting drawing, printmaking, photography, everyday life in Hackney, London. sculpture, illustration, video and mixed media submissions and is a showcase of Sponsored by: some of the most exciting artists from across the country and beyond. All work is for sale, making the Annual Open a perfect opportunity to discover new artists or invest in well-known names.
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Women with Vision
Four exhibitions from 16 December 2017 – 11 March 2018
Grieving Women, Sonia Lawson, 1991, oil on canvas © Sonia Lawson. Photo: Mr C W Congo
Frink-Blow-Lawson 16 December 2017 – 11 March 2018 Elisabeth Frink RA CH DBE (1930 - 1993) Sandra Blow RA RWS (1925 - 2006) Sonia Lawson RA RWA (Hon) (b.1934)
A celebration of women in British art - past, present and future.
A new exhibition featuring three highly influential female artists.
In a year of national milestones, the RWA marks the impact of female artists on our country's artistic landscape with four diverse exhibitions of historic and contemporary works.
Frink-Blow-Lawson brings together the work of Dame Elisabeth Frink, Sandra Blow and Sonia Lawson, and explores their profound impact, still recognisable today.
Women with Vision coincides with the Vote100 celebrations, marking the centenary of British women’s suffrage. The exhibitions also commemorate 160 years since the RWA first opened its doors and 250 years since London’s Royal Academy was founded. Featuring members of both Academies, Women with Vision celebrates the pivotal roles the artists have played in the histories of both institutions. Sponsored by:
The work featured in this unique exhibition reflects the underlying tension between figuration and abstraction, which ran throughout the twentieth century. From Frink's haunting sculptures, including larger-than-life figurative works, to Blow's pioneering abstractions and Lawson's narrative-based, richly textured surfaces, this visionary collection of sculpture, collage and painting celebrates the international influence of these artists one that continues to reverberate today. This exhibition is part of Women with Vision.
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In association with:
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Women of the RWA 16 December 2017 – 11 March 2018
From its foundation to the present day, the RWA has had women artists at its heart. This diverse exhibition takes a walk through the RWA’s fascinating history and shines a light on the artists that shaped it. Women of the RWA reflects on key artistic moments across three centuries. Alongside works by the Academy’s longest standing and newest female academicians, the exhibition includes works from the permanent collection by artists such as Rolinda Sharples, Augusta Talboys,
Cornelia Parker: One Day This Glass Will Break 16 December 2017 – 28 January 2018
Anne Redpath RA RWA RSA 30 January – 11 March 2018
Turner Prize-nominee Cornelia Parker RA OBE is one of the UK’s foremost artists. Known across the world for her groundbreaking installations and sculpture, this intimate exhibition features Parker’s most recent work – a series of largescale photogravures and Fox Talbot's Articles of Glass (2017) which has never before been shown outside London. This exhibition is part of Women with Vision.
An exhibition showcasing the vibrant paintings of Anne Redpath. As well as being an RWA Academician and Associate Royal Academician, Redpath was the first woman elected as a Royal Scottish Academician. Featuring works from the RWA permanent collection and loans from the FlemingWyfold Art Foundation. This exhibition is part of Women with Vision.
Vanessa Bell RWA, Dod Procter RA RWA, Mary Fedden RA PPRWA, Dame Elizabeth Blackadder RA RWA RSA, Jeanne du Maurier RWA, Wilhelmina Barns-Graham CBE RWA, Anne Redpath ARA RWA RSA, Ann Christopher RA RWA and Emma Stibbon RA RWA. This exhibition is part of Women with Vision.
Still Life with Black Sash, Dame Elizabeth Blackadder RWA, 1988, RWA permanent collection.
A Hayward Gallery Touring exhibition from Southbank Centre, London
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Cornelia Parker, Black Ice, from: One Day This Glass Will Break, 2015. A series of polymer photogravure etchings on Fabriano Tiepolo Bianco 290 gsm paper. Courtesy and © the artist and Alan Cristea Gallery, 2017. Photo: FXP Photography, London, 2015.
The Portuguese Cockerel (detail), Anne Redpath, 1962, oil on canvas, RWA permanent collection.
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Women with Vision Talks and Tours
Other Exhibitions
Cornelia Parker in Focus
Women of the West
Academicians’ Gallery
23 January 2018 2pm – 3pm, £10/£8 Friends
24 February 2018 11am-12.15pm £10/£8 Friends
Free exhibitions in our ground floor gallery
Antonia Shaw, Assistant Curator at Hayward Gallery Touring, will give a talk on Cornelia Parker's recent work.
This illustrated talk, led by RWA Director Alison Bevan, will explore the life and work of some of the leading women artists who worked in the South West. From Elizabeth Forbes and Laura Frink-Blow-Lawson Knight to Vanessa Bell and Gallery Tour Rose Hilton, this talk will 27 January 2018 explore their relationships 12pm - 12.45pm with the wider art world Free with a gallery ticket and their roles in breaking Led by Gemma Brace, down the gender barrier to Teaching Fellow and Curator artistic recognition. in History of Art, Heritage and Museums, University There's No Such Thing of Bristol As A Woman Artist - Panel Discussion Frink in Focus Gallery Tour Thursday 8 March 2018 15 February 2018 6.30pm - 8.30pm 12pm - 12.45pm £10/£8 conc Free with a gallery ticket On International Women's Led by Nathalie Levi, Head Day, the RWA is hosting a of Programme and Curator panel discussion exploring of Exhibitions, RWA what it means to be described as a 'woman artist'. Panellists include RWA Academicians, Artist Network Members and specialists from the University of Bristol.
Bruce McLean 7 November – 1 December 2017 Recent works by the internationallyacclaimed artist. Organised with
Small is Beautiful 5 December 2017 – 7 January 2018 A selection of small, affordable artworks by RWA Academicians, all available for immediate purchase. Yvonne Crossley RWA 9 January – 4 February 2018 Neil Murison RWA (Hon) 6 February - 4 March 2018
Rebecca Cains RWA 8
Shades of Grey, Light Blue, Bruce McLean, published 2017, silkscreen print with collage
6 March - 8 April 2018
Young Artist Placement Exhibition
Brain Art: Schools’ Exhibition
28 November 2017 - 7 January 2018 Free admission
6 – 25 March 2018 Free admission
Featuring work by young, Bristol-based artists Pamela Rose Cottrell and Florence Moon, created during their recent placement at the RWA. Supported by
Following the success of 2016's exhibition, the Brain Art competition and exhibition returns with art created by local schools and inspired by the human brain.
Flowers of War 29 March - 29 April 2018 Free admission A collaborative, commemorative work, inspired by World War One stories from local communities, museums and archives. Visitors will have the opportunity to contribute their own stories and create paper botanical forms. 9
Sawdust and Sequins: The Art of the Circus 24 March – 3 June 2018
Peter Lavery: 50 Years of Circus Portraits 24 March – 3 June 2018
Coinciding with Circus250 - a nationwide celebration of the 250th anniversary of circus in the UK - this major exhibition of historic and contemporary art pays homage to our own distinct circus heritage and the contemporary circus scene alive in Bristol today.
For 50 years, acclaimed photographer Peter Lavery has followed and documented circuses around the UK and Ireland, capturing backstage moments of introspection, vulnerability and the reality of nomadic lifestyles.
Since the 1700s, the circus has become a worldwide phenomenon and a rich source of inspiration for artists. The glitter and dare-devilry has hidden a sometimes harsh, itinerant way of life. Across the centuries, circus has evolved to encompass radical new forms of performance and self-expression. From historical depictions of familiar circus scenes to contemporary works exploring both the glamour and grit, this exhibition surveys the complex, compelling nature of circus.
Lavery’s monochrome prints, taken between 1970 and 1996, are exhibited alongside colour photography from his latest series of circus works. These intimate shots bring audiences closer than ever to the people behind the performance. Peter Lavery: 50 Years of Circus Portraits will be accompanied by a new publication produced by the artist and available from the RWA shop.
In association with
Check the RWA website for an exciting programme of events and performances.
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Trapeze, Eileen Cooper RA, 2012, oil on canvas, 153 x 107cm © Eileen Cooper
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Adult Learning
Art History Day Schools 10.30am – 4.30pm £30 per day, £55 two days conc £25/£45 An Unsuitable Job for a Woman? Saturday 20 January Portraiture, Sculpture and Britain’s Women Artists Saturday 10 March In these two linked Art History Day Schools, discover the achievement of women artists in sculpture and portrait painting, and how Vanessa Bell, Dod Procter, Barbara Hepworth, Elisabeth Frink, Maggie Hambling and others pushed the boundaries of this maledominated discipline. Led by Dr Justine Hopkins.
Family and Young People
On Form: Sessions for Visually Impaired Adults
Block Printing Workshop with Let’s Make Art
Make a Circus Costume with Let’s Make Art
Fridays 19 January and 9 March, 4.15pm – 5.45pm.
Tuesday 13 February (Half Term) 11am – 12pm, 3-5 year olds 1pm – 2pm, ages 6+ £7.50 per child *
Tuesday 27 March (Easter Holidays) 11am – 12pm, 3-5 year olds 1pm – 2pm, ages 6+ £7.50 per child*
Design and print your own canvas bag to take home, in the style of Sandra Blow.
Roll up, roll up, and have some fun making circus costumes. Become a clown, lion, elephant, strongperson or ringmaster!
Free, booking required. Led by an experienced facilitator alongside gallery staff and volunteers, our described tours will help you explore the current exhibitions. Each session will focus on a different selection of artworks, and both will include time for group discussion. Refreshments provided.
Supported by:
Saturday mornings, 10.30am – 12.30pm, Free (donations welcome) Ideal for families of all ages, and now at three locations across the city, Scribble and Sketch offers free mornings of fun and informal art activities*.
Scribble and Sketch at the RWA Saturdays 6 January 3 February, 3 March, 7 April Scribble and Sketch at Redcliffe Children’s Centre Saturdays 13 January 10 February, 10 March Scribble and Sketch at Easton Community Centre
*includes all materials
13 January, 17 January 17 February Supported by:
Junior Discover a supportive and stimulating environment where you can explore the possibilities of drawing, painting and more. Classes are led by an experienced tutor and cater for a range of abilities and interests. For more information, or to book, visit www.rwa.org.uk/ drawing-school.
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Supported by:
Scribble and Sketch
Art-making workshops for developing artistic knowledge, skills and techniques. Aimed at ages 8 to early teens.
Junior Drawing School - in the Studio
Junior Drawing School - in the Gallery
Saturdays 6 January, 3 February, 3 March 2.30pm – 4pm £10 per child*
Tuesdays 9 and 23 January, 6 and 20 February 4.30-5.30pm, £30 for 4 sessions*
Try painting, drawing, printing and more in these fun, varied sessions, inspired by the exhibitions and led by a friendly tutor.
Come and explore the exhibition with Junior Drawing School tutors and gallery staff. Learn about different artists, media and techniques, then take part in drawing activities and games.
Holiday Masterclasses Thursdays 15 February and 5 April 10.30am – 1pm, £20 per session or 2 sessions for £35* Learn about the exhibitions, try new techniques, create amazing artworks and make new friends at the RWA. *includes all materials
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Be part of the RWA's future
This year, we celebrate 160 years of the RWA – Bristol’s first art gallery. It is also a time to look towards the future. Without the generosity of people like Ellen Sharples and Augusta Talboys, the RWA as we know it - its building, collection and vision - might not be here today. The RWA receives little regular funding and is reliant on the generosity of its supporters. To keep bringing world class art to Bristol for another 160 years, we need your support. Any size of donation makes a real difference and will help us to inspire people from all backgrounds.
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RWA Exhibition Calendar November 2017 - June 2018 Exhibition/Event
Date
165 Annual Open Exhibition
Until 3 December 2017
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Bruce McLean
7 November – 1 December 2017
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Chaim Soutine talk series
Starts Wed 15 November 2017
Young Artist Placement Exhibition
28 November 2017 - 7 January 2018
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Making a Donation
Academician Group Exhibition: Small is Beautiful
5 December 2017 – 7 January 2018
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Joining as a Friend
Women with Vision
16 December 2017 – 11 March 2018
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Signing up as a Patron
Frink-Blow-Lawson
16 December 2017 – 11 March 2018
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Leaving a gift in your Will
Women of the RWA
16 December 2017 – 11 March 2018
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If you are able to support us, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Kate Foster, Head of Development at the RWA (kate.foster@rwa.org.uk) to discuss the difference your support will make. You can also make a donation online at www.rwa. org.uk/support-us or by visiting the RWA.
Cornelia Parker: One Day This Glass Will Break
16 December 2017 – 28 January 2018
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Yvonne Crossley RWA
9 January – 4 February 2018
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On Form: Session for Visually Impaired Adults
19 January 2018
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Art History Day School
20 January 2018
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Frink-Blow-Lawson Gallery Tour
27 January 2018
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Anne Redpath RA RWA RSA
30 January – 11 March 2018
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Cornelia Parker in Focus – gallery talk with Antonia Shaw
23 January 2018
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Frink in Focus Gallery Tour
15 February 2018
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Women of the West - talk with Alison Bevan
24 February 2018
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Brain Art: Schools' Exhibition
6 – 25 March 2018
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Please consider helping us by: Becoming a Volunteer
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There's no such thing as a woman 8 March 2018 artist: Panel debate
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On Form: Session for Visually Impaired Adults
9 March 2018
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Art History Day School
10 March 2018
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Sawdust and Sequins: The Art of the Circus
24 March – 3 June 2018
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Peter Lavery: Circus 250
24 March – 3 June 2018
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Flowers of War
29 March - 29 April 2018
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Exhibitions
Adult Learning and Gallery Events
Tickets
Opening Times
Admission is charged (please see rwa.org.uk for details).
Tuesday–Saturday 10am–5.30pm
Admission is free for all under 18s and local college and university students (please contact us or see website for more information).
Cover image credit: Touchstone, Sandra Blow, 2003, collage on canvas © Sandra Blow Estate, Photograph by Simon Cook
Sunday 11am–5pm CLOSED Mondays
Last admission 30 minutes before closing. The RWA occasionally closes early for special events. Please call ahead or check the website The RWA is a self-supporting, for details. independent charity (1070163). All admission Holiday Closure Times charges contribute to delivering exhibitions and CLOSED FROM learning activities. The RWA Sunday 24 to depends on the continued Wednesday 27 December generosity of supporters, REOPENS Patrons and Friends. Thursday 28 December CLOSED FROM Sunday 31 December REOPENS Tuesday 2 January 2018 Royal West of England Academy Queen’s Road, Clifton Bristol BS8 1PX rwa.org.uk Welcome Desk: 0117 973 5129 Join the conversation @rwabristol r oyalwestof englandacademy rwabristol
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