Saturday, February 27 2010

New Year Mixed Show
21 November
In the deep of winter, step into a feast of colour and texture to lighten the spirits and touch the senses. An extraordinary range of work from supremely talented artists and craftspersons.

The Friends of Rye Art Gallery were invited to nominate their "top 20" selection from the Permanent Collection. Friends Gill and Paddy Harvey have hung the final list to provide an exhibition in the upper Stormont Studio. The list includes paintings by Royal Academicians Fred Cuming and Nick Rooney, a sculpture by Sir Jacob Epstein, works by founders Mary and Howard Stormont, Eileen Easton and by contemporary local artists, Richard Adams, Louis Turpin and John Owen, Tony Bennett and David Crew.

The Silent Auction

The Friends of Rye Art Gallery are hold a silent auction or three artworks, which have been donated as part of the fund-raising effort. The pictures are hanging in the Stormont Studio.

The Pictures?

A Landscape; Lake with Boat: Oil on board - signed
Somerset artist Terry Pilcher was born in Kent and studied art at the Sidcup Art College and then at the Royal Academy of Arts under Carel Weight and Ruskin spear. During this period he designed and executed murals based on an Elizabethan theme at the Mermaid Inn, Rye. Terry has exhibited his work throughout the U.K. and most notably at the Royal Academy and the New England Art Club. He maintains a studio in Sampford Brett and paints directly from the subject as far a field as Cornwall and Scotland.

Deep Roots: Monotype - signed
Rye printmaker Jane Beecham makes full colour monotypes using only three inks: red, blue and yellow. The process is subtractive and the resulting print is a reverse image. The complexity, depth and detail Beecham achieves, as well as the range of colours she finds, are testament to years of experimentation. Beecham’s work reflects a number of influences from the skyscrapers of New York to the sands at Camber and evokes the fifties textile designs which Beecham looks to as a source of inspiration.

Lamb House Garden in Winter: Oil on board - signed
Rye artist Wendy (Lady) Batsford (1916 – 2007) lived in Watchbell Street and Lamb House with her husband Sir Brian Batsford as tenants for the National Trust. She later moved to Winchelsea and retired to London after the death of her husband. During her time in Rye she painted many Sussex scenes. This charming painting was executed whilst living at Lamb House; the view is that of the garden from the King’s Room which is on the first floor at the front of the house.

How does it work?

If you would like to own one of these pieces, please register your bid by filling in one of the forms with your
• name
• contact
• the name of the work (if placing more than one bid, please use a separate form for each work)
• the amount of money that you are prepared to bid for a particular piece

THE WORK WILL GO TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER

FRAG have set ‘reserve prices’ for all three works. The highest bids by mid Feb 2010 will be published on the website and in the Stormont Studio so that bidders can assess their chances.

Immediately prior to the AGM, all entries will be assessed by the FRAG committee prior to the results being announced at the FRAG AGM which starts at 5p.m. on 21st March in the Stormont Studio.

Please bid generously towards this initiative. Thank you.