The return of the annual Rye Society of Artists summer exhibition in August is always something to look forward to – an inspiring reminder of how lucky we are to be home to so many wonderful local artists.
The opening on Friday, August 1 was a great success with the open space outside and the two galleries buzzing with conversation, and even a queue on the stairs, as artists and supporters of the society flocked to see the show.
With over 200 works on display by both members and non-members, there is plenty to see and something for all tastes. The range of different media on display is impressive – oil, acrylic, watercolours, prints, ceramics, mixed media, bronze sculptures, 3D objects, textiles, crayon, pastel and pencil drawings. Members can submit up to six pieces and non-members can submit two. This year has seen many more non-members submitting work, over two thirds of the exhibition is by them, hung alongside long-standing members including Richard Adams, Louis Turpin and David Crew.
Artists have long responded to the landscape and atmosphere of the marsh, coastline and views of Rye rising above the flat. Clare Mitchell’s en plein air paintings capture the light reflected off the Brede and Tillingham rivers, and the lush greens of the nature reserve and other corners of the marsh. In contrast, the abstract broad sweeps of Sally Cole, Jane Beecham and Karen Birchwood are expressive and bold representations, or suggestions, of changing seas, skies and weather.
There are prints and drawings throughout the show – including etchings, linocuts, monoprints. RSA member, Will Taylor’s prints are delicately detailed and precise. His drypoint Rye Harbour triptych, with a panoramic view from Rye towards Rye Harbour is split into three sections – the Rother, distant chemical works and the field beside the river – the sense of place conveyed through dark silhouetted shapes, fine lines and empty space, reminiscent of Sir Frank Short’s etchings.
“He made no cry” (Great Auk) by Chris Booth, a technical tour de force, is a stippled drawing using fineliner pen of the now extinct great auk, portrayed with precision and delicacy which took the artist a total of 45 hours over 12 days.
In the centre of the upstairs gallery is a majestic bronze sculpture by artist Naomi Edwards, Pelican in her Piety, the bird, with outstretched wings, protecting her young at her feet. A non-member, Naomi Edwards is a sculptor and mould-maker who also offers casting and finishing services to artists and designers.
Ceramics feature strongly, connecting today’s artists with Rye’s potteries of the past including work by James Fuggle, Steve Duffy, Carole Sheldrake, Judith Douglas, Sarah Palmer, Kate Schuricht, Yvette Glaze and Joanne Terry. Judith Rowe, who is based in Hastings, is showing new work of rectangular and cuboid pots and slabs decorated with phototransfer images along with her teacups, vases and candlesticks.
The art is presented beautifully with clever juxtapositions – a vase with neolithic designs by Dee Harvey is placed next to a selection of sculptures by Annabel Faraday looking like primitive tools or decorative objects, alongside Astrid Gillenius’ primitive-inspired plaster and bronze Mother and Child.
The vases of Lisa Katzenstein and delicate ceramic sculptures of Alison Proctor are grouped together and share the colour and vibrancy of nasturtium flowers and leaves. Davida Smith’s landscape prints, with their horizontal lines and blue tints, hang next to Jenny Pockley’s blue clouds and seascapes oils.
A visit to the show is a must, and with so many high-quality artworks on display, return visits may be needed!
The exhibition is held at the dance hall, Rye Community Centre, Conduit Hill, Rye, from August 2 – 25 open daily from 10:30am-5pm.
Image Credits: Juliet Duff .
Thank you Juliet for another fantastic piece of writing. It brings the exhibition to life!
Fabulous for Rye to have you, Rye News and Rye Society of Artists.