Art / rwa
RWA’s summer 2018 shows introduced
For as long as there has been art, there have been artists working together. From passionate love affairs to life-long friendships, modern British art has been shaped by amazing relationships. But can art and the heart ever be happy bedfellows?
This summer, for the first time ever, the Royal West of England Academy brings together artworks from some of history’s greatest artistic partnerships under one roof.
In Relation: Nine Couples Who Transformed Modern British Art (June 16-Sept 9) includes work by some of Britain’s most influential couples, including Ben Nicholson and Barbara Hepworth, Eric Ravilious and Tirzah Garwood and Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant.
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Ernest Procter, ‘The Day’s End’ (Leicester Arts and Museums Service)
Curator James Russell says, “The exhibition brings together some of the most significant artists and designers who worked in 20th-century Britain. We know that artists are influenced by their illustrious predecessors and by new ideas, but what happens when two artists share their everyday life together? How is the work and career of each one affected by the other?”
“We have some cracking loans from Tate and the National Portrait Gallery,” James reveals. “There are two beautiful Barbara Hepworth sculptures, rare early works by Mary Fedden and even a woman’s wedding suit made from block-printed fabric by celebrated 1930s designers Barron and Larcher.”
Running alongside this impressive show is its contemporary partner, Togetherness – an exhibition that celebrates collaboration in contemporary art.
Juneau Project, ‘Neo Kaczynskiite Data Core Battle’, laser cut perspex, 2013. From ‘Togetherness’ exhibition. Pic: Lisa Whiting, RWA
Featuring works by Turner Prize-winning collective Assemble, John Wood and Paul Harrison (Unrealistic Mountaineers, pictured top), Emma Biggs and Matthew Collings, and Andy Holden and Steve Roggenbuck, this original exhibition raises wider questions about group dynamics, activism and authorship.
An exciting pair of shows for the RWA as it marks its 160th birthday in 2018.
In Relation and Togetherness run until Sunday, Sept 9 2018. For more info, visit www.rwa.org.uk
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