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2008 Exhibitions

2 January - 2 February
Gallery 1 and 2
stART
A treat for your art collection. Work by Members and Associates of the RBSA, all priced at £200 and under.

6 - 16 February
Gallery 1 and 2
Friends
Friends of the RBSA, including both amateur and semi-professional artists, show off their talent. Selected exhibition open to all Friends.

18 - 24 February
Gallery 1 and 2
Closed for redecorating

25 February - 12 March
Gallery 1 and 2
New Horizons
Fine Art students from universities in the Midlands show their work.

19 March - 12 April
Gallery 1 and 2
‘Open’ all media
The first of the RBSA’s ‘Open’ exhibitions. Artists are invited to submit work. All styles and approaches welcome.

15 - 26 April
Gallery 1 and 2
Candidates
Artists who are hoping to be elected as Associates or Members of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists exhibit their work.

30 April - 24 May
Gallery 2
Holiday destinations
Members and Associates return to Birmingham from exotic locations to show they still work when on holiday.

12 - 24 May
Gallery 2
Women of substance
Tess Barnes shows 50 portraits of “Women of Substance” sponsored by first direct and supporting Breast Cancer Haven. The portaits depict high achieving women including Carol Vordeman, Jenni Murray and Zandra Rhodes.

29 May - 5 July
Gallery 1 and 2
‘Prize’ exhibition
A first prize of £1000 is awarded by an independent judge to the best work in the exhibition.

8 - 19 July
Gallery 1
Schools’ exhibition
Schools in Ladywood show work they have made with the help of RBSA members.

9 July - 30 August
Gallery 2
Imaginative portraits
A wide range of portraiture by RBSA Members as well as other artists from around the country.

3 - 13 September
Gallery 1 and 2
Friends Exhibition
A selected exhibition of work by Friends of the RBSA. Works in all media are invited.

15 - 27 September
Gallery 1 and 2
Birmingham Art Circle
'The Circle in the Square'
Another lively exhibition by the Art Circle is promised. See ‘Events’ page for details of demonstrations in the gallery by members.

Below: Petra Rohr-Rouendaal ARBSA 'Naledi' oil on canvas

1 - 25 October
Gallery 1and 2
Members and Associates Autumn Exhibition
RBSA Autumn exhibition
Members and Associates of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists show their work in an annual exhibition held since 1842. See work by the newly elected Associates.

Below: Simon Davis RBSA 'Far Too Happy'



30 October - 22 November
Gallery 1 and 2
Print Prize
An ‘Open’ exhibition for all print makers with a first prize of £1,000 and other prizes. Selection by Hilary Paynter PRE and Kate Dicker RE. Send a sae.

Below: 'The Sheep Show' Hilary Paynter PRE Wood Engraving

26 November - 24 December
Gallery 1 and 2
'Open' all media'
An ‘Open’ exhibition for all media. Contributions in all media including jewellery, ceramics and textiles as well as drawing, painting and print-making are welcome. Check website or send sae.

The RBSA Craft Gallery shows exciting work from makers around the country. Come and be inspired by our changing programme of themed exhibitions.

12 November 2007 - 12 January 2008
Decadence
Your last opportunity to see a dazzling array of jewellery and ceramics by a group of leading designer-makers from all over the country.

14 January - 8 March
Botanica
Distinctive jewellery and ceramics inspired by the natural world. Included will be a range of designer -makers whose collections explore the flora and fauna that surrounds them. Featured will be London-based jeweller Teri Howes, who will be showcasing her 'Urban Jungle' collection of delicately pierced silver pendants, earrings and brooches and Jessica Hewitt, whose jewellery is inspired by floral imagery found in modern and vintage textiles.
Also exhibiting will be John Moore whose 'Elytra' collection is inspired by ancient artefacts and natural forms.

10 March - 3 May
Whispers
An exhibition showcasing designer-makers who manipulate materials to create delicate, ethereal forms. It will offer an insight into the unusual techniques used to create the objects and to challenge preconceptions of traditional uses of media. First time exhibitor Ikuko Iwamoto will be presenting her collection ceramic 'Sea Urchin' containers and patterned beakers. Also featured in this exhibition will be ceramicists, Timea Sido and Karen Downing, alongside jewellery from Hidemi Asano and Ai Morita.

5 May - 20 June
Silver:Wear
Contemporary silverware and jewellery will be the focal point of this exhibition. You will be able to see current trends in silver-smithing and jewellery-making and discover the skills needed to create such distinctive pieces of work. Exhibitors include Grant Braithwaite whose silverwear has recently undergone distinct
changes. His interest is now focused on making unique, one-off items that incorporate both traditional woodcraft and silver-smithing techniques. The results are abstract and minimalist, yet functional. Jewellery from Emma Kinnell will also be on display. Emma’s jewellery is an exploration of the movement of light when it is captured with a camera. She uses fine threads of silver to mimic the spontaneous motion of light, creating delicate pieces that are full of dynamism.

23 June - 8 August
Reclaim
A unique exhibition of contemporary fine craft with a twist featuring a diverse range of designer makers who use recycled materials in their craft-making. An Alleweireldt uses unusual materials such as old records and ice lolly sticks to create high quality and wearable jewellery and Tayo Shakouri’s textile jewellery, made from pvc and vintage fabrics, reflects her interest in psychedelic patterns.

Cream of the Crafts
11 August – 19 September 2008

Excellence and innovation in contemporary craft design will be the focus of this exhibition which aims to bring together designer maker jewellery, ceramics and glassware. It showcases designer makers who have made a significant contribution to British Crafts and also a selection of upcoming craftspeople who are fast making a name for themselves.  

Exhibiting for the first time at the RBSA, Jana Reinhardt is a highly accomplished and innovative jewellery designer/maker with more than ten years experience of contemporary and traditional jewellery techniques.  With award winning entries in several competitions, including the international Goldsmiths Craftsmanship and Design competition, her latest “Bellflower” collection is both playful and feminine, but with an almost industrial quality.  Meticulously handmade, the range is inspired by a broad range of influences, from childhood memories to the designs of the Arts & Crafts Movement.

Also exhibiting is Norwegian jewellery designer Ulrikke Vogt who has been making jewellery since the age of 16. Now based in London, she exhibits her jewellery internationally and is building up a fascinating repertoire of pieces, including a neckpiece with spherical lockets encasing semi-precious gems. Ulrikke has designed motifs adapted from the nature and folk patterns of Norway. The result is a culmination of delicate, feminine patterns with jewellery that is both playful and nostalgic. Ulrikke works using various different techniques including saw-piercing and painting with liquid silver.

Prices range from £7 - £2900

Below: Ulrikke Vogt's Green Onyx Ring £550

Below:
Polly Wales: Big Blue Double Doodle Earrings (selection) from £165
Victoria Kernshaw: Silver and Concrete Chocolate Stand £950
Chris Keenan: Rocking Bowls £60

'Opulence'
10 November 2008 - 9 January 2009

‘Opulence’ will be the RBSA’s Christmas Craft exhibition, showcasing inspirational contemporary fine craft.  With exhibitors sourced from around the country for their quality craftsmanship and innovative designs, ‘Opulence’ will be an exciting opportunity for customers to purchase unusual and thoughtful gifts whilst supporting British Craft within Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter.

Exhibiting for the first time is jeweller and silversmith, Abigail Brown who is fascinated by the sensuous qualities that our bodies possess, often focusing on areas of the body that are not normally associated with these attributes. In her exploration of this concept, Abigail attempts to represent the warmth and softness of flesh in a material that is by nature hard and cold, aiming to create a piece of silverware that is tactile, sensual, and invites interaction. The RBSA will be exhibiting Abigail’s silverware and her jewellery.  The latter has developed from her larger silverware pieces into small units to create necklaces, bracelets, brooches and earrings.  She has also been experimenting with a Korean technique: ‘Keum Boo’ using squares of gold foil fused to the surface of her silver jewellery, adding an extra sparkle to our show.

Exhibiting her ‘Maidens Garlands’ collection of contemporary jewellery designs will be Emma Turpin who has been working hard to put the collection together since graduating from Middlesex University in 2005. Inspired by seventeenth-century paper garlands, given to girls who die after their betrothal but before their wedding day, Emma has developed a range of jewellery that juxtaposes femininity with the structural rigidity of the silver used. Techniques such as milling, forging and folding are used to create the jewellery and so demonstrating the different skills needed in handling a material such as silver.

Midlands-based jeweller, Andrea Thorpe will be showing her ‘Protea’ collection which is inspired by her travels to South Africa, where the Protea is the national flower. Originally educated at Birmingham City University where she studied Jewellery and Silversmithing, Andrea now lives and works in Warwickshire, using the Protea flower, coloured woollen fleece and various other materials as her sources of inspiration. However, it is the King Protea that is her current subject of interest with its artichoke-like appearance and contrasting textures. This has allowed her to translate the flower into a motif that has been adapted to an entire range of jewellery including bangles, necklaces and rings.

Also exhibiting in Opulence will be ceramicist, Lok Ming Fung who has always been fascinated and intrigued by texture and the way in which a glaze can accentuate the ceramic surface. Combining techniques such as intaglio, sprigging and piercing along with the process of slip casting, she creates incredibly delicate yet functional pieces which invite the viewer to explore their curious surfaces.  Using intense glaze colours to apply rich surface decoration, her pieces create a vibrancy and burst of colour which aims to intrigue and capture attention. Other ceramicists that will be exhibiting include Gavin Burnett with his ‘Vapour’ vessels and Svafa Einarsdottir.

‘Opulence’ aims to show the variety and diversity in contemporary fine craft today with a little added extravagance for the festive season. This is the perfect opportunity to purchase a little (or large) something for that special someone or equally a chance to get a treat for yourself! Be inspired by Craft and its infinite potentials this Christmas and celebrate the festive season in style with the RBSA.

Below: Emma Turpin's Maiden's Garlands necklace and Lok Ming Fung's Ceramic Box

Café wall

5 January - 2 February
June Dudleston RBSA
Landscapes and seascapes in oil with an acrylic base using painting knives rather than brushes.

2 February - 1 March
New acquisitions
From our Permanent Collection.

1 March - 29 March
Brian Fletcher RBSA
'Medley' - paintings in a variety of media and subjects ranging from figure and portrait studies
to mountain, rural and industrial landscapes.

29 March - 26 April
Dennis Minchin RBSA
Brightly coloured abstract pieces feature in Dennis' exhibition of on-going works.

26 April - 24 May
Margaret Layton RBSA
Images which capture emotional reactions to natural elements in contrasting tones, colour and atmosphere.

24 May - 21 June
Graham Benton RBSA
Recent small abstract paintings, illustrations of Venice and drawings from the life room.

21 June - 19 July
John Wood RBSA
Drawings and pastels of strange happenings - amid it all - walking heads and an angel’s baby.

20 July - 16 August
Bruce Hurn PPRBSA
New work from travels in New England and Arizona.

18 August - 13 September
Heinke Jenkins RBSA

15 September - 11 October
Margaret Fairhead ARBSA
Contemporary machine stitched textiles inspired by the pattern of tiger skin and Medieval tiles.

10 November - 6 December
Victor Kelly RCA RBSA
Winter Landscapes
Every season has its beauty but winter is very special. Remember as children how excited we were at the first fall of snow. I would like to capture some of that magic in my ‘winter landscapes’ as shown below.

Craft Gallery wall

29 December - 26 January 2008
Carole Baker ARBSA
Striking vibrant paintings in acrylics and mixed media from Carole's recent travels to France, Cornwall, Ireland and her home town of Lichfield.

26 January 2008 - 23 February
Elaine Hind RBSA
Paradise Garden' - A series of porcelain vessels inspired by a love of flowers and old gardens.

23 February - 22 March
Margot Bell ARBSA
An exhibition of collograph prints based on wild grasses to which Margot has added additional design elements.

22 March - 19 April 2008
Suhair Al-Khayat ARBSA
Paintings presenting a combination of contemporary abstraction and traditional elements inspired by the artist's Arabic heritage.

19 April - 17 May
Jenny Sutton RBSA
Atmospheric paintings of old buildings and compositions from the kitchen, garden and larder.

19 April - 17 May
Jenny Sutton RBSA
Atmospheric paintings of old buildings and compositions from the kitchen, garden and larder.

22 March - 19 April 2008
Ann Wilkinson RBSA
Evocative scenes of everyday life, full of incident and wry humour.

12 July - 9 August 2008
Stephanie Redfern RBSA
New work in textiles: a personal interpretation of the idea of an unspoiled idyllic paradise

11 August - 6 September
Louise Sanders Hon ARBSA
'Destinations': A vibrant new body of work inspired by Louise's recent travels.

8 September - 4 October
Rob Perry RBSA
‘Recent small works’: industrial and rural landscapes from the Black Country.

3 November - 29 November
Jo Powell RBSA
‘Atmospheric Landscapes’ an exhibition of paintings exploring light and texture

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home > past exhibitions 2009

2009 Exhibitions

29 December 2008 - 31 January
Gallery 1 and 2
stART
Start the year with a treat for your art collection. Work by Members and Associates of the RBSA on show, all priced at £200 and under.

Annette Pugh 'Untitled' Acrylic

18 - 28 February
Gallery 1 and 2
Friends
Friends of the RBSA, including both amateur and semi-professional artists, show off their talent. Selected exhibition open to all Friends of the RBSA.

Below: Angus Cockburn's Twelve Apostles Aran

9 - 28 March
Gallery 1
Spring workshops
A wide range of workshops delivered by RBSA Members and Associates.

Gallery 2
‘Rites of spring’
Members and Associates exhibit their take on the spring season

Stephanie Redfern RBSA - 'Full Moon, the last of Winter' Mixed media

28 May - 27 June
Gallery 1 and 2
Open ‘Prize’ exhibition
A first prize of £1,000 is awarded by an independent judge to the best work in any media, including three dimensional work. For details visit www.rbsa.org.uk or send a sae.

Below: This year's winner of the £1000 Prize, Ann Wilkinson RBSA Still Life with Poppy Heads

29 June - 11 July
Gallery 2
‘Shaping nature’
David White RBSA and Viv Astling
Exciting and contrasting responses to nature and its forms in drawings, prints, paintings and stone sculptures.

Blue Grit - Viv Astling

13 - 25 July
Gallery 2
Birmingham Watercolour Society
The Birmingham Watercolour Society returns
to the RBSA Gallery for it's summer exhibition. Amongst the exhibitors for this year’s show will be Shanghai painter Chen Xidan.

29 June - 4 September
Gallery 1
RBSA summer school
After last year’s successful summer school an enlarged programme of workshops is offered. See dedicated leaflet for full details.

29 July - 5 September
Gallery 2
‘Open’ ceramics exhibition
The first RBSA ‘Open’ concentrating
exclusively on ceramics. Work could be
experimental as well as traditional. Check the RBSA website www.rbsa.org.uk or send a sae for details of how to enter your work.

Below: Ceramics by Eddie Curtis will be on show at the RBSA's first Open Ceramics exhibition

9 - 19 September
Gallery 1 and 2

Friends Summer Exhibition
Friends of the RBSA show off their talent in this selected exhibition open to all Friends. Send a SAE for details.

Below: Patriot Study by Robert Neil, awarded with the Rosemary Brushes Prize

21 September - 3 October
Gallery 1
‘A Window on Iran ’
Mohsen Keiany ARBSA and other Persian artists show their work.

‘A window on Iran’ is a collection of the most recent art works by three Persian artists. The paintings in this exhibition are inspired by each artist’s impressions and reflections of their experiences in Iran. These artworks narrate their emotional journeys, their personal sense of sacredness, and the reflection of Persian philosophical and spiritual thoughts. This exhibition is organised through the partnership of Royal Birmingham Society of Artists and the Cultural Centre of the Embassy of I. R. of Iran in London.
Craft Gallery Exhibitions 2009




Gallery 2
United Kingdom Coloured Pencil Society
8th Annual Open International Exhibition 2009. An exhibition demonstrating the versatility of this attractive medium.

Black Watch by Carol Bramley



7 - 31 October
Gallery 1 and 2
Members and Associates
Showing the work of current Members and Associates of RBSA, this annual
exhibition will include work by newly elected Associates.

Below: Clementines by John Shakespeare, a former ‘Friend’ who has just become a full Member of the RBSA. John will be demonstrating oil painting techniques in the gallery on Saturday 12 September from 2.00 - 4.00pm.


2 - 14 November
Gallery 1
Schools exhibition
An exhibition of works by pupils from Aston Manor and Broadway secondary schools who participated in our From the Pavement to the sky project, supported by Aston Pride.



Gallery 2
Birmingham Art Circle
Exciting new and recent works by members of the Art Circle; includes prints, paintings, ceramics and sculpture.
.

18 November - 24 December
Gallery 1 and 2
‘Open’ all media
An 'Open' exhibition for all media. Entries in all media including jewellery, ceramics and textiles as well as drawing, painting and printmaking are welcome. Send a SAE for details.

'White Camelias' by Colin Simmonds ARBSA


The RBSA Craft Gallery is firmly established as being the region’s leading outlet for contemporary craft.  With a range of craft mediums and price ranges catered for, visitors will be inspired by the versatility and affordability of handmade craft.  More wearable and functional designs are exhibited alongside innovative craftwork as a means of fostering and promoting the talents of some of Britain’s foremost designer makers.

12 January - 13 March
Spectrum

‘Spectrum’ is the RBSA’s most colourful craft exhibition yet! Applying colour is a continuing challenge for designer makers with constant advancements in the choice and techniques available.  ‘Spectrum’ hopes to explore the diversity and potential of colour in contemporary fine craft. This vibrant display of multi-coloured jewellery, ceramics and textiles demonstrates the wide range of processes that designer makers have adapted to incorporate colour into their practice.

Design inspiration has come from an eclectic range of sources from nature to fairgrounds and sweets.  All of the makers featured in this exhibition have comprehensively explored the possibilities and boundaries of the materials they work with. Titanium, aluminium, acrylic and perspex are just some examples of the more unusual materials used by designer makers today.  The techniques used are also as varied as the materials; from photo-etching, raku firing, anodising and painting onto precious metals. This approach to applying colour results in craftware that is equally captivating and functional.

‘Spectrum’ will dazzle and inspire, showcasing innovation in design juxtaposed with vibrant uses of colour.  With designer makers from across the country chosen for their excellence in craftsmanship, the RBSA is celebrating the New Year in colour! 

Below: Chris Hawkins, Copper Matt Open Bowl.

‘Emboss’
18 May – 17 July

‘Emboss’ will showcase contemporary ceramics, fine silverware, jewellery and glassware, all inspired by texture and mark making.  This exhibition will explore the different ways in which designer makers interpret texture, demonstrating the various techniques involved in mark marking and producing surface relief and detail.

Exhibiting in ‘Emboss’ will be jeweller and silversmith, Misun Won. Inspired by Korean patchwork, she incorporates fabric embedded in resin, and silver roll-printed with fabric. Choosing circles of silver or resin for her basic pattern, Misun creates delicately textured three dimensional forms and sculptural jewellery.

Also exhibiting will be Becca Williams who has created a silverware and jewellery collection inspired by birds in flight, creating texture and depth through the use of etching. Isabelle Busnel has drawn her inspiration from marine life; its shapes, forms, textures and the way marine creatures grasp and grip under water to produce intriguing enamelled brooches which clearly reference the encrusted surfaces of coral and rock pools.

Also exhibiting will be silversmith and artist in residence at Birmingham School of jewellery, Esther Lord, glass artist Kasia Czarnecka-Clarke, ceramicist Tanya LaMantia and jewellers Susan Fenwick, Nicola Morrison and Emma Kinnell.

Below: Isabelle Busnel, Enamelled Brooches.

20 July - 11 September
'Culture shock'
‘Culture Shock’ will explore migration, cultural identity and the effect of the resettlement that individuals and communities have long experienced.  This exhibition will showcase designer makers who have relocated from across the globe, exploring traditional geographic boundaries and ways in which they have fused. Varied approaches to both traditional and state-of-the-art techniques will be demonstrated.

Deepti Kumar’s collection unites her diverse background as a western jeweller trained in England and her previous life as an artist, born and raised in India. Her jewellery is inspired by the city of Bhuj in Gujarat, India, where in 2001, she participated in an earthquake rehabilitation programme.  Inspired by this experience, her influences are the fragments of old textiles and remnants of pottery seen in museums. Pushing the boundaries of how aluminium can be manipulated and transformed, once etched and anodised, Deepti treats aluminium like a piece of fabric, immersing it in delicate hues of dyes, layer after layer. The spontaneity and the unpredictability of the process makes each piece exciting and unique.

Also featured in ‘Culture Shock’ will be Beverley Gee whose hand thrown porcelain is inspired by the five years she spent travelling in a number of countries including Japan and Finland; Isabella Hart and her jewellery inspired by the paper crafts of Japan alongside Chinese culture and RBSA Associate, Irena Maria Varey demonstrating the exciting fusion that her Polish roots and Venezulean training has had on her striking jewellery.

With an explosive fusion of materials, skills and influences, ‘Culture Shock’ will be an inspiring opportunity to purchase versatile and affordable pieces of original craftwork.  Be inspired by the world around you!

Prices range from £20 - £2000


Armlet by Deepti Kumar - featured in 'Culture Shock'.

14 September - 6 November 2009
'Urbanicity'
'Urbanicity' will showcase contemporary ceramics, fine silverware, jewellery and glassware, exploring the impact of today's urban environment and technological developments upon contemporary craft. Inspired by industry and the modern environment, 'Urbanicity' will demonstrate the different ways designer-makers have drawn inspiration from the urban landscape and ideas concerning commercialism and mass production. Featured exhibitors will be ceramicists Danielle Spelman, Dan Stafford and Jon Lawrence with Kerry Williamson Kate O'Connell and Rebecca Appleby. Silversmith Niki Turner and Jewellers April Neate, Gracie Hinnitt, Lucy Fergus, Mayza Joao, Natalie Harris, Lucy Martin and Sanguen Kim will also feature.

Below: Work by Dan Stafford



8 November - 8 January

'Debut'
The RBSA’s 2009 Christmas Craft exhibition ‘Debut’ will focus on the emerging talents of recent graduates from craft and applied art degree courses. All exhibitors have completed their studies within the last three years so for many, this is the first chance they have had to showcase their work in the West Midlands. It will be an excellent opportunity to see some of the leading crafts people of tomorrow and witness innovations in design and techniques. From contemporary ceramics to stunning jewellery, glass and  silverware, ‘Debut’ will demonstrate the RBSA’s continued support of designer makers working in a range of media.

Having recently completed her Masters degree at Birmingham City University, Sally Collins has already made an impression on the British craft scene. Graduating in 2008, Sally has already been awarded the Birmingham Assay Office post graduate study bursary which has enabled her to continue her exploration of ‘domestic’ textile techniques such as knitting and crocheting alongside more conventional jewellery and metal-smithing practices. Her ‘Make Do and Mend’ collection is a visual array of colourful and tactile pieces of contemporary jewellery which demonstrate a unique approach to recycling and sustainability. Concerned with the ecological benefits of re-using old and discarded items and the object’s history, Sally brings together the decorative and the historical, forming a collection of nostalgic and colourful jewellery.  By combining fabric remnants and threads with hand-pierced elements of precious and non-precious metals, the emphasis is on excess detailing and frills. Her jewellery strives to explore the concept of the ‘Superfrilly’ and ask the question: ‘When is enough, really enough?’

Sara Peacock is a recent graduate from Bath Spa University. Creating handmade ceramic objects, her interests lie in creating functional objects with ornamental qualities.  Inspired by the throwing process itself, her Functional Forms range explores the enhancement of compositional and tactile qualities through the use of contrasting glazes. The cup and carafe forms that she produces, have an intriguing tactile quality with their inspiration drawn from glass scientific equipment. Thrown in porcelain, they are decorated with both dry and glossy glazes and with the inside glossy colour overlapping the rim to meet the dry glaze on the outer surface, a stunning colour contrast is created.

By creating both slip cast and press moulded objects, ceramicist Emily Hart has developed an exciting and colourful range of functional items. With a clear passion and interest in the etiquette of eating and its cultural references, she uses her objects to comment and analyse contemporary rituals of eating. Incorporating bold glazes, playful transfers and unusual forms, her inspiration stems from the desire to encourage the revival of the flagging tradition of the British meal time. Her objects are not made to be simply looked at; they are designed to be playful yet fully functional and to be altogether enjoyed, just like any good meal.

Also exhibiting will be jeweller Anna Bagnall who draws inspiration from her travels to Thailand and an interest in combining found coral with precious metals. Working in a range of techniques, including saw piercing and etching, her range is incredibly tactile whilst also challenging the concept of value. Solomia Zoumaras will be showcasing her ceramic cups and bowls which explore modern architecture and the mathematics behind ergonomics. Exploring line and geometric shapes, Solomia’s work finely balances between the functional and sculptural. Jewellery from Joanna Hemsley, Victoria Walker and Cara Fairbairn will also be shown alongside ceramics from Amy Blewitt and Lisa Edelman with her unique process of text relief on porcelain.

Christmas is the perfect opportunity to find that unusual gift and ‘Debut’ will be a fascinating celebration of the contemporary British craftsmanship of tomorrow. It will be an opportunity to not only explore new techniques and methods of working within different craft media, but also a rare chance to purchase work from some of the most innovative designers working in the UK at the moment and on the cusp of their careers.

Why not join the RBSA this Christmas and be inspired by the country’s newest talent!

Debut Exhibitor List:

Amy Blewitt
Anna Bagnall
Emily Hart
Emma Mogridge
Joanna Hemsley
Lisa Edelman
Miranda Meilleur
Samantha Donaldson
Solomia Zoumaras
Amy Young
Cara Fairbairn
Emily Hartley
Jenna Macdonald
Laura James
Lydia Feast
Sally Collins
Sara Peacock
Victoria Walker

Sally Collins 'Re-knitted necklace'






Artists Showcase 2009

1 December - 22 December
Caroline Ali RBSA
Detailed drawings, watercolours and etchings of insects and other natural forms.

23 December 2008 - 17 January
Gifted and talented
Work by pupils from local schools.

19 January - 14 February
'Plant Love' Elaine Hind RBSA
A collection of porcelain, inspired by the delights of shape and structure to be found in plant forms from seed to seedhead.

16 February - 14 March
Celia Nancarrow ARBSA
Etchings.

13 April - 9 May
Janette Summerfield ARBSA
Abstract works in acrylic and pastel inspired by landscapes.

11 May - 6 June
Peter Valentine ARBSA
The chance to get to know the work of one of the RBSA’s new associates.

8 June - 4 July
Maggie Kitching RBSA
Prints: Portraits, people, past and present.

Vitalism 1 - by Janette Summerfield ARBSA

6 July - 1 August
Design space
A showcase of new jewellery and silver by designer makers working in the JewelleryQuarter and nearing completion of a year on the Design Space project

3 - 29 August
Prize winner space
An RBSA prize winner is awarded the opportunity to have a solo show.

31 August - 26 September
Mark Fennell RBSA
Portraits in oils on linen, commissions have included the mayor of Birmingham and Antony Worrall Thompson. The exhibition includes characters from a transvestite to an ex-bouncer

28 September - 24 October
David Harban RBSA
A selection of etchings and aquatints covering a diverse range of subjects. Come and see A different view - Lichfield Cathedral (below)

26 October - 21 November
Caroline Ali RBSA
A series of intricately detailed drawings, watercolours and etchings inspired by insects and other subjects

Cafe Gallery Wall :

8 December - 3 January 2009
David Gleeson RBSA
Divided Self
For the first time, David will be exhibiting a collection of self portraits in all media which span a 40 year career.

5 January - 31 January
John Shakespeare ARBSA
'In This Place': a series of paintings documenting people and events in the RBSA Gallery.

2 February - 28 February
Graham Blaine RBSA
A selection of watercolour paintings.

2 March - 28 March
Simon Davis RBSA RP
A selection of portraits from the BP Portrait Award winner.

30 March - 25 April
June Dudleston RBSA and
Artists International
Paintings and ceramics by artists with influences from around the globe.

27 April - 23 May
Brian Fletcher RBSA
‘Melange’: a colourful and vibrant display of recent work exploring themes of the human figure, mountains, industrial landscape and portraits.

25 May - 20 June
Margaret Fairhead ARBSA
A study of evening skies led to design development and interpretations in fabric and thread, using hand and machine techniques to explore colour and textures. Meet the artist on Saturday 30 May.

22 June - 18 July
John Wood RBSA
Whisper, whisper, shredding sounds, an angel squawk and a magic apple - new and strange imaginings.

20 July - 15 August
Patricia Ferguson
A solo show from an RBSA prize winner.

17 August - 12 September
Peter Shread RBSA
‘Patterns of landscape’: colour and monochrome prints based on landscapes of the Midlands, the Marches and Wales.

14 September - 10 October
John Reeve ARBSA
A collection of contemporary work, including mixed media, line and watercolour.

12 October - 7 November
Brian Steventon RBSA
Expressive landscapes of the Peak District, East Anglia, Kent, Wales and Italy in mixed media.




9 November - 5 December
Tom Millard RBSA
With a series of wall-mounted ceramic surfaces, Tom Millard reflects on encounters
with the edge of land and sea in North Devon and Cornwall.




7 December - 2 January 2010
Dennis Minchin RBSA
“The work in this show is an expression of my love of colour. I use captivating, rich combinations of discord and harmony.”




Ceramics in the Cafe 2009:

22 December - 21 February
John Alexander-Williams ARBSA
Sculptural work from an RBSA Associate.

23 February - 18 April
Peter Wareing RBSA
Colourful figurative tubelined designs on earthenware pottery and tiles.

20 April - 13 June
Andrew Matheson RBSA
New work including shino glazes, twisted bowls and large blue lidded jars.

10 August - 3 October
Jo Connell RBSA
Jo works with stained clays and her colourful, textural ceramics owe much to her love of the natural world. This exhibition explores some recurrent themes and new ideas inspired by her recent travels abroad.

5 October - 28 November
Janet Cottrell RBSA
“Most of my ceramics are based on forms found in nature, but often evolves and wanders from the original inspiration.”


30 November - 23 January 2010
Irena Varey ARBSA
A study of colour and texture applied to design of jewellery you would like to wear.

2010 exhibitions

29 December 2009 - 30 January 2010
Gallery 1 and 2
‘stART'
Start the year with the purchase of an affordable origional art work. Work by members and associates of the RBSA all priced at £200 and under! Don't miss the Studio Sale on Saturday 30 January 2010.



3 - 13 February
Gallery 1 and 2
Friends
Friends of the RBSA, including both amateur and semi-professional artists, show off their talent. Selected exhibition open to all Friends of the RBSA. Send sae for further details and entry forms.


Robert Neil 'Patriot Study' a prizewinning work from the Friends exhibition last year

15 - 26 February
Gallery 2
Paul Middleton New Work
Robert Perry Old Work
Featuring work by two artists and former colleagues at Redditch College (North East Worcestershire College) in the 1980s and early 90s. Their professional ways diverged some years ago but they are now collaborating in this exhibition. Paul is Dean of The Arts at the University of Northampton and Rob is a Council Member at RBSA.

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