Opening of National Society Exhibition

 

Ross Ashmore and Peter Webb spoke at the opening of the 80th annual exhibition of The National Society of Painters, Sculptors and Printmakers on Tuesday at the Menier Gallery.

 

The exhibition can be viewed until Saturday 21 September and also features the work of two other commission4mission artists,  Michael Creasey and Elizabeth Duncan Meyer.

 

The exhibition provides an opportunity for the public to see a broad range of work encompassing a dynamic mixture of contemporary paintings, sculpture and printmaking by well established artists from around the UK. Not only is there hung work to view but also works on paper in browsers and artist cards. 

Members' update: Ross Ashmore

Ross Ashmore writes: "It's a pleasure to be have been asked to open this exhibition at the Preview on Tuesday 10th September. The National Society of Painters, Sculptors and Printmakers is a wonderful society. Previous members who are now much acclaimed in the B

ritish art world include Mark Gertler, Jack B. Yeats, L. S. Lowry, David Bomberg, W. Russell Flint, Henry Moore, Bernard Meninsky, William Nicholson, Graham Sutherland, Christopher Nevinson and Frank Dobson.

 

Ross' work is included in the show, along with fellow commission4mission members Michael Creasey, Elizabeth Duncan Meyer and Peter Webb. The exhibition, which will be held at the Menier Gallery and will be the 80th annual exhibition of The National Society, can be seen from Tuesday 10 - Saturday 21 September.

Members update

The Menier Gallery will be hosting the 80th annual exhibition of The National Society of Painters, Sculptors and Printmakers from Tuesday 10 - Saturday 21 September.

This is an opportunity for the public to see a broad range of work encompassing a dynamic mixture of contemporary paintings, sculpture and printmaking by well established artists from around the UK. Not only will there be hung work to view but also works on paper in browsers and artist cards. Don’t miss this opportunity to support one of London’s premier contemporary art exhibitions and the chance to purchase innovative art at realistic prices.

An increasing number of commission4mission members are also becoming part of the National Society, so look out for some familiar faces if you are able to see the show.

Oxford Journals have recently published the latest book review by Jonathan Evens in The Journal of Theological Studies: The Sacred Community: Art, Sacrament, and the People of God. By DAVID JASPER. Jonathan Evens The Journal of Theological Studies 2013; doi: 10.1093/jts/flt127.

Jonathan's earlier book reviews for the Journal of Theological Studies can also be found by clicking here, here and here.

Member's update: Michael Creasey and Peter Webb

Michael Creasey and Peter Webb will both show work when the National Society of Painters, Sculptors and Printmakers return to the Menier Gallery for their 79th Annual Exhibition (Tuesday 11 - Saturday 22 September).

Founded in 1930, the Society was created by a group of young artists who wished to break away from established galleries that they found stuffy and inhibiting.

New members are chosen for the quality and interesting approach of their work. The exhibition will feature many paintings, limited edition prints and sculptures. There will also be a dedicated display of small works.

Michael also has work in the BASH (Big Art Submission Havering) exhibition at the B R Gallery in Havering. This exhibition showcases the best of Havering's artists in a salon style Big Art Show. The show runs from 5th to 14th September, 9.00am - 3.30pm (Mon - Fri), late opening on Thurs 6th, 6.00 - 9.00pm.

Member's update

Michael Creasey and Peter Webb will both be exhibiting works in the Spring Exhibition of the National Society of Painters, Sculptors and Printmakers which is being held at Lauderdale House from 14th - 25th March. The Private View is from 7.30pm on 14th March.

Mythology in London by Anna Alcock is the next exhibition at the Tokarska Gallery (15th - 31st March), with a Private View on 15th March, 6.00 - 9.00pm.

Anna Alcock’s love stories and mythology started when she was young and continued to grow through her studies in South Africa when she majored in Classical Civilisations as part of her BA Fine Art (Hons) degree. She completed a MA Printmaking in London in 2004. She exhibits regularly and her art is in private and public collections around the world.

Anna Alcock uses Greek and Roman mythological images and populates them with modern day narratives that are of significance to her living in London now. The exhibition will also include an exclusive bound suite of 15 etchings, which will be exhibited alongside etching collages and tabloids of myths with personal modern day stories that she imbues with her unique style and bold colours.

By using her experience of London and applying ancient Greek and Roman cultural thinking the theme of mythology is applied to everyday events for example bankers loss of status during the recent recession is illustrated by the myth of “Icarus”. Archetypes are found in our unconscious daily lives as shown in “Demeter”, the story of a mother’s search for her daughter “Persephone” and the resulting winter of her grief.

Tokarska have also arranged a Taster Etching Workshop with Anna Alcock for 17 March (4.00 - 7.00pm) at the Gallery. All materials are provided. The workshop provides an opportunity to do your own little etching using ferric chloride and then printing it with an etching press onto 100% cotton paper. You get to take your prints and plate home. Booking is essential.

'Condemned': Lent/Easter Series - Week 2

commission4mission has created a Lenten and Easter journey for 2012 using images by our artists combined with passages from Isaiah 53. Throughout Lent and for the first two weeks of Easter, we will post images and words from 'Condemned' here on a weekly basis.

Peter Webb, who contributes the second image in our series, is a Fine Artist and former Art Teacher. His commissions include paintings of St George and the Supper at Emmaus. His painting of the The Betrayal can be viewed at St Marys Woodford. Peter is the chairperson of commission4mission and a member of both Faith & Image and the National Society of Painters, Sculptors & Printmakers.

Other artists contributing images to the series are Mark Lewis, Robert Enoch, Christopher Clack, Rosalind Hore, Nadiya Pavliv Tokarska, and Jim Insole. 'Condemned' has been compiled by Helen Gheorghiu Gould.

In addition to the weekly posts, 'Condemed' is also available as either a powerpoint or pdf file on request from Jonathan Evens at jonathan.evens@btinternet.com.

Members update

Valerie Dean has recently completed the set of Stations of the Cross on which she has been working. They have a very clear and intense focus on details which are evocative of the whole, as can be seen from the photographs she has taken of the set which can be viewed here. Valerie is keen to discuss ways of making these Stations available for any church that would be interested in having them. 

Nadiya Pavliv Tokarska has sent information about the next exhibition at the Tokarska Gallery. Mythology in London by Anna Alcock runs from 15th - 31st March. The Private View is on 15th March from 6 - 9pm. Anna Alcock uses Greek and Roman mythological images and populates them with modern day narratives that are of significance to her living in London now. The exhibition will also include an exclusive bound suite of 15 etchings, which will be exhibited alongside etching collages and tabloids of myths with personal modern day stories that she imbues with her unique style and bold colours.

The Tokarska Gallery are also publicising their annual 'Drawing the Culture' competition for children and young people (see http://tokarskagallery.co.uk/drawing-the-culture). This is a juried open exhibition of children's drawings.
The next exhibition by the National Society of Painters, Sculptors and Printmakers, of which c4m artists Michael Creasey and Peter Webb are members, will be held at Launderdale House from 13th - 25th March.

Andrew Vessey has set up a website for his art and poetry. He writes that the website offers:

"the chance for making sensible and clear witness to my own Christian values, which have always determined how one paints as much as what I have been trying to achieve. To do theology on line in a website and give voice to the motivation which lies behind many of my ideas is a new challenge. I hope you'll be able to discern more than passing reference to having been a parish priest, or an art teacher for that matter, as the connections I am looking for, and the aspiration for thinking and then developing them as avenues of prayer and reflection, is one I welcome as a very exciting new form of ministry. I trust that my art will help move people on from the very tired language and inadequate symbolism that constitutes so much church art, to one that is rooted in the incarnation within us and divine glory around us."

Andrew will be exhibiting from 29th May - 17th June at Gallery Two, Wingfield Barns, Wingfield, Suffolk. This solo show of 60+ works will have new oil paintings "Looking into Glory" as the major focus, constituting a series of Stations on the Post-Resurrection as described in St John 21.

Jonathan Evens will be speaking on commission4mission and understandings of Christian Art at the February Learning Supper for West Mersea Parish Church (6.30pm, Sunday 26th February). Learning Suppers on Mersea Island include a time of worship, teaching, prayer and a convivial supper of soup, cheese and wine on the 4th Sunday in the month. Jonathan will also be using his Mark of the Cross and Seven Words from the Cross meditations in the three hour devotional which he will be leading at St Margaret's Barking on Good Friday from 12 noon to 3.00pm.

78th National Society Exhibition

c4m members Peter Webb and Michael Creasey are currently exhibiting in the 78th Annual Exhibition by the National Society of Painters, Sculptors and Printmakers.

Dates 14th - 24th September [closed Sunday 18th | closes 4pm Saturday 24th] Times 11am - 6pm | open late thursdays & fridays until 8pm. Location The Menier Gallery Ground Floor Menier Chocolate Factory 51 Southwark Street LONDON SE1 1RU

The National Society was formed in 1930 to meet a growing desire among artists for an annual exhibition in London which would embrace all aspects of art under one roof, without prejudice or favour to anyone.

This legacy has continued as a guide and inspiration to creative artists ever since. The freedom to experiment and explore new media or techniques has created a society that is totally professional while allowing individual artists to realise their full potential.

Members [to name only a few] who have gained worldwide fame include:

• Mark Gertler • Jack B Yeates • L S Lowry • David Bomberg • W Russell Flint • Henry Moore • Bernard Meninsky • William Nicholson • Graham Sutherland • C R W Nevinson • Frank Dobson • Bernard Adams

Some of the above artists' highly acclaimed works were first shown in the National Society's Annual Exhibition, and current members now exhibiting may well gain similar recognition in future years.

The National Society is, therefore, a society that offers a challenge to all creative artists of the highest ability from any school of thought. By its very nature it strives to communicate with the widest possible audience, to excite, interest and involve the public by showing a broad spectrum of contemporary and innovative painting, sculpture and printmaking. Among the wide range of work included in the exhibition, I was particularly struck by the work of Minne Fry and Norma Silverton.