We invited three artist Friends to talk about their works selected for the RWA 170 Annual Open to tell us , and what showing in the Open means to them…
The 170 Annual Open is once again a wonderful, varied show, expertly put together by RWA President Fiona Robinson and her team of selectors and curators. The show includes no fewer than 26 works by 24 Friends – congratulations to all our members who successfully submitted works this year! We invited a few of those artist Friends to tell us a little about their pieces, and what showing in the Open means to them…
Dail Behennah – Shift. Winner of The Other Prize
“This is the latest in an exploration of a complex three-dimensional surfaces, created by plaiting strips in three directions rather than the more usual two. I have painted lines of three different widths down the strips. As they move down and across the work, they cross each other creating a pattern. Because the surface is faceted, different strips become visible and shift as the eye moves.
“I had not expected that so many variations would be possible just from three different lines. There are 54 triangles or half triangles in the work, each containing a group of blocks with the same pattern of faces, 25 different triangles in the piece as a whole. I find this structure endlessly fascinating and am always discovering new things within it. “I am delighted to have had this work accepted for the RWA 170 Open, and to have won the Other Art Prize. It is a privilege to see it in this beautiful gallery in the company of work by other artists whom I admire and to feel part of a long tradition.”
dailbehennah.com. Instagram: @dailbehennah
Ann Farthing – Halite
“I have memories of a place where the ground can shift and sink and where buildings move. I am the granddaughter, daughter, niece and cousin of men whose lives were shaped by salt. Salt was the impetus for a chemical industry that shaped the lives and landscape of Cheshire in the 19th and 20th centuries. Mining and brine pumping caused buildings to collapse and lakes to form. My work explores the instability of a landscape that bears the scars of its exploitation. This contrasts with the plant life that flourishes as industry declines and is no longer viable.
“Botanical drawings of plants that thrive in the brackish, lime rich soil were cut up and collaged onto a block to mirror the cuboid form of the salt crystal. To convey a sense of uncertainty and impermanence some of the collage pieces are raised away from the surface and appear fragile and uneven.
“I was thrilled to be selected and even more thrilled to see where my work was placed in the beautifully curated gallery. I feel honoured to be included. The RWA has surpassed itself in creating this stunning 170th Open exhibition.”
Instagram: @ann.farthing
Ruth Baker – Duet
“My preferred medium is through the expression of Pyrography wood burning, a technique that scorches a bare wood surface. It offers me great softness and depth of tones and detail in such an organic form.
“The ancient form of Spanish riding engages the horse through poetry in motion: a dance of synchronicity, power and grace to its highest quality. As a genuine horse lover myself, this noble creature continues to be a great source of inspiration and wonder.
“I’m truly honoured to have been selected to showcase this rarely seen art form at such a prestigious level as in the RWA and to present it forward to the public eye in exhibition. This has given me such encouragement to further my techniques through my artistic career.”
Instagram: @ruthbakerart
Browse and buy works in the 170 Open online here.
The Floating Circle 