The best art exhibitions in Bristol and the Westcountry this month – selected by the Friends of the RWA…
Here’s our pick of the best art exhibitions and events happening in and around Bristol and the south west in July – including ‘Last chance to see’ shows and a look ahead to upcoming features….
Compiled by Sue Quirk and Laurel Smart
AT THE RWA
Fire: Flashes to Ashes in British Art 1692-2019
UNTIL 1 SEPT
A major exhibition tracing the representation of fire in British art across the last four centuries; exploring the symbolism and meaning the element has had for artists throughout history. Details here.
Andrew Lanyon: Nature’s Laboratory
10 JULY-8 AUGUST
A collaboration with a collective of Cornish artists, Nature’s Laboratory is a playful, sometimes a little dark, but always engaging look at our world and creation. A quirky and intriguing show for the whole family. Cube and Link Galleries – free entry.
Peter Ford RE RWA: Out of Order
16 JULY-18 AUGUST
Free exhibition in the Academician’s Gallery from the superb printmaker. Read our Q&A with Peter here.
JULY EXHIBITIONS
1) SOUTH HAMS ARTS FORUM: ‘CONTEMPORARY PASSIONS – ELEMENTS’
16-28 JULY
Annual summer exhibition of members’ work by the South Hams Arts Forum. This year the artists have made personal and collaborative responses to the theme of elements.
Harbour House, The Promenade, KINGSBRIDGE, Devon, TQ7 1JD
01548 854708
www.harbourhouse.org.uk
Instagram: #southhamsartsforum
2) JO BARBER AND PATRICK HALLISSEY: ‘ENCOUNTERS’
UNTIL 20 JULY
This exhibition brings together work by our two RWA Open 2018 prize-winners; First Prize winner Jo Barber and Second Prize winner Patrick Hallissey. Through 2D figurative works, they acknowledge their encounters with artists who have inspired them, whilst realising fresh and unique aesthetics.
Trowbridge Town Hall, Market Street, TROWBRIDGE BA14 8EQ
01225 774306
www.trowbridgearts.com
Instagram: @trowbridgetownhallarts
3) GROUP 7: ‘COLOUR VALUES’
UNTIL 20 JULY
Expect a riot of colour and texture from Brian Bishop, Martyn Brewster, Bonnie Brown, Fran Donovan, Michelle Griffiths, Ursula Leach and Peter Symonds.
ACE Arts, The Old Town Hall, Market Place, SOMERTON, TA11 7NB
01458 273008
www.acearts.co.uk
@acearts_somerton
4) MOISH SOKAL: ‘REFLECTIONS: A FRESH LOOK’
UNTIL 21 JULY
Returning from New York and Cuba, Moish Sokal reflects with a fresh look over the 25 years of exhibiting in the Malthouse Gallery and all the exotic locations visited during that time.
The Malthouse Gallery, East Lambrook Manor Gardens, EAST LAMBROOK, South Petherton, TA13 5HH
07812 837825
www.moishsokal.co.uk
5) MILLFIELD SUMMER SHOW
UNTIL 2 AUGUST
The exhibition aims to provide the viewer with a cross section of work from a variety of disciplines from both emerging and well established artists.
Atkinson Gallery, Millfield, STREET, Somerset BA16 0YD
www.atkinsongallery.co.uk
Instagram: @atkinsongallery
6) MARK ROCHESTER AT THE PLOUGH ARTS CENTRE
UNTIL 3 AUGUST
Mark Rochester trained at Central School of Art and worked for over 30 years as a leading textile designer. Mark has always sketched and painted, but in recent years, his return to his native North Devon has rekindled his interest in working from nature which has fuelled his passion for working ‘en plein air’ in some of Devon’s most breathtaking scenery.
The Plough Arts Centre 9-11 Fore Street, GREAT TORRINGTON, Devon EX38 8HQ
01805 624624
www.theploughartscentre.org.uk
Instagram: @markrochesterpaintings
7) SARAH HOUGH: ‘MOMENT’
UNTIL 3 AUGUST
Moment is an installation that places you at the heart of large-scale 3D oil paintings, projected drawings and sound. This body of work is the result of making the journey to Shard Point on Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour once a week, every week over the course of a year. The journey was undertaken through the seasons whatever the weather in order to collect moments experienced in this landscape.
Main Gallery, Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts, Kingland Road, POOLE, BH15 1UG
01202 280000
www.lighthousepoole.co.uk
LAST CHANCE TO SEE…
2-7 JULY: OUTSIDE IN(SIDE) OUT – CONTEMPLATIONS OF PLACE IN PAINT -New abstract oil paintings by Jon Hastings. LANSDOWN GALLERY, STROUD www.lansdownhall.org
UNTIL 7 JULY: ALAN DAVIE – An important exhibition of work by the abstract painter. TINCLETON GALLERY, DORCHESTER tincletongallery.com
UNTIL 7 JULY: ‘MASTERS OF INVENTION’ – Bold exhibition by leading UK and European artists exploring the evolution of graffiti art. RIVERSIDE MILL, BOVEY TRACEY crafts.org.uk
UNTIL 12 JULY: ‘PERFECTLY FORMED’ – Small-scale works from 27 artists. ANDELLI ART, WELLS andelliart.com
UNTIL 13 JULY: ELPHICK & ELPHICK Unlimited – Painting and sculpture celebrating artistic freedom. BRISTOL GUILD GALLERY, BRISTOL bristolguildgallery.co.uk See our preview here.
WATCH OUT FOR…
EDOUARD VUILLARD THE POETRY OF THE EVERYDAY UNTIL 15 SEPTEMBER The most extensive UK exhibition of works by Édouard Vuillard (1868-1940) in more than 15 years, including many that are rarely publicly displayed. The Holburne Museum, BATH holburne.org Read our review here.
FROME ART TRAIL 6 – 14 JULY https://www.fromeopenstudios.co.uk/
KURT JACKSON: THORN/CRAB AND LOBSTER UNTIL 17 AUGUST Jackson Foundation, ST JUST, Cornwall www.jacksonfoundationgallery.com
IGNITING SIGHT: CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS INSPIRED BY JMW TURNER 6 JULY – 8 SEPTEMBER Contemporary artists inspired by JMW Turner: Fred Cuming RA, Luke Elwes, Vanessa Gardiner, Frances Hatch, Janette Kerr, Alex Lowery. Sladers Yard Gallery, BRIDPORT www.sladersyard.wordpress.com
NICKY HIRST: ALGORITHMS, GRAIL MOTHS, LARGISH TOM… 13 JULY – 8 SEPTEMBER A solo exhibition of new work by Nicky Hirst, whose practice may be described as an exploration of serendipity that can occur in unintended and unexpected places. Exeter Phoenix, EXETER exeterphoenix.org.uk
WHERE FUNCTION ENDS: RESPONSES TO THE ARCHITECTURE OF SIR EDWIN LUTYENS 14 JULY – 27 OCTOBER To mark the 150thanniversary of the birth of Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944), new work by three artists that responds to the legacy of the man whose designs transformed the Hestercombe site. Hestercombe Gallery, TAUNTON hestercombe.com
SIX IN THE CITY 20 JULY – 10 AUGUST For the first time six female artists from the Cotswold Guild and North Bristol Artists will be exhibiting together in Bristol. Bristol Guild Gallery, BRISTOL bristolguildgallery.co.uk
AUGUSTUS JOHN: ‘DRAWN FROM LIFE’ UNTIL 29 SEPTEMBER Retrospective focuses on John’s early to mid-career, examining his reputation and looking in-depth at his achievements in drawing and etching. The Salisbury Museum, SALISBURY salisburymuseum.org.uk
If you would like an exhibition or artist to be listed please email laurel.smart@blueyonder.co.uk and we will consider it for inclusion.
The Floating Circle 