The best art exhibitions coming up in Bristol and the Westcountry – 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 – including a look ahead to upcoming features….
AT THE RWA
RWA 171 Annual Open Exhibition
14 September 2024 – 5 January 2025
The RWA’s most popular exhibition returns, with over 600 works on display covering a vast array of media including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, film, sculpture and architecture by artists ranging from leading professionals to emerging talent, from across the UK and beyond.
This year’s invited Artist is Rana Begum, RA. More info
Fauna
6 November 2024 – 5 January 2025
This exhibition brings together paintings and sculptures by four RWA Academicians; Angela Lizon, Beth Carter, Dorcas Casey and Leslie Glenn Damhus.
These artists play diversely with the symbolism of animals in art. Their compelling and magical works are steeped in the history of art, fables, myths, fairytales, dreams, childhood memories, kitsch, the subconscious and the sacred. Their work is often filled with their distinctive sense of playfulness and humour.
CURRENT EXHIBITIONS
Compiled by Sue Quirk and Laurel Smart
1) JENNI STUART: HUG ME
6 – 22 DECEMBER, HOURS GALLERY, BRISTOL
Jenni Stuart is a Bristol based artist. Her work features intricate, abstract patterns and big textures, blending organic forms with geometric structures in calming hues.
‘Working primarily in acrylics, I embark on each piece with a multi layered approach, often simultaneously starting several works. The addition of oil bar drawings atop the paintings allows me to knit together space and colour, infusing the artwork with a dynamic energy that reflects the underlying element of fun in my process. My goal is to create art that transcends generational boundaries, making it accessible to all ages. Ultimately, my artwork serves as a visual diary, capturing the essence of the life I lead. Each piece is a collection of my words translated into a vibrant visual language, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of my experiences.’
All Welcome to the launch on Friday 6th December 6-9. Also, open Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th December 11-4. Thereafter by arrangement until Sunday 22 December.
2) PREMA ARTS, GLOS: TWO EXHIBITIONS
SENA SHAH AND AMANDA GEE UNTIL 20 DECEMBER
Sena Shah: He has pioneered a distinctive way of merging felt fabric with a paper thin reflective material (mirrors) that enables the art to change as the viewer sees it from left to right – creating a lenticular effect. The best way to fully appreciate the magic is to see the art in person so be sure to catch it within the Vestry Café gallery this autumn.
Painter Amanda Gee has exhibited her work across the locality in recent years including shows at Studio 18, in Stroud with the Nasty women group and in the Severn Vale Arts Trail. Her large, bold paintings are brimming with colour and vibrant energy, bringing a dazzling warmth and sense of playfulness to Prema for the colder months and darker days.
3) RJ LLOYD 1926-2020 MEMORIAL EXHIBITION
UNTIL 24 DECEMBER, BURTON AT BIDEFORD, DEVON
Reginald James Lloyd was an influential British artist known for his semi-abstract style, which drew heavily from his love of nature and his surroundings in Devon. Largely self-taught, Lloyd worked across various mediums, including painting, printmaking, ceramics, and stained glass, and his works have featured in a number of significant collections, including at the Tate Gallery and the V&A. One notable collaboration was his friendship with poet Ted Hughes, for whom he illustrated four poetry books. This exhibition includes some of these renowned artworks. Lloyd lived in Bideford and was strong supporter of The Burton, which purchased the RJ Lloyd Ceramics Collection in 2009. The collection is on permanent display in our Ceramics Gallery. Lloyd’s work remains celebrated for his connection to the natural world, his modernist influences, and his mastery across different artistic forms.
4) EDGE OF LAND: GROUP SHOW
UNTIL 5 JANUARY, TINCLETON GALLERY, DORCHESTER, DORSET
This exhibition has the strong theme of the shoreline running through from several of the artists. Philippa Headley writes of the series in oil which is showing “Nature always unveils a myriad of surprises. Whatever time of day, the colours, textures and sensations of its beauty are available to experience and absorb. In this series I was particularly fascinated by the way in which the land and sea interacts with light and atmosphere.” Those sentiments deeply inform Kim Pragnell’s storm wracked Cornish rocks, or Mary Gillett’s pieces from her own county of Devon or from far flung Canadian lakes. Bristol-based Ruth Ander contributes her limpid nature-drenched monoprints. Many other gallery and guest artists will also be exhibiting their various sculptures, ceramics, and oils including Johannes von Stumm, Alison Wear, Almuth Tebbenhoff and Colin Moore. Open weekends and weekdays by appointment.
5) LAUREL SMART: RESONANCES
5 JANUARY – 2 FEBRUARY, TOBACCO FACTORY CAFÉ & BAR, BRISTOL
Laurel Smart will be showing her signature large abstract paintings at The Tobacco Factory Cafe. These energetic, colourful canvases cheer up any space they are hung in.
Laurel’s paintings are atmospheric and evocative, she loves how they resonate in different ways for different people. Alongside these large paintings, Laurel will show some of her smaller pieces, which she paints in series. These paintings talk to each other and work well hung together in a variety of combinations. Laurel loves to talk about her work so, if you are interested, contact her directly through Instagram. She would love to meet you in the cafe.
Instagram: @laurelsmartpainting
6) JEREMY SPECK
UNTIL 8 JANUARY, DORSET COUNTY HOSPITAL, DORCHESTER, DORSET
‘I am a fine art printmaker specialising in linocut and screenprints. I enjoy the restrictions that these two disciplines impose on you as an artist: having to render images in a limited number of layers in flat colour. I am heavily influenced by natural forms and 20th century British art, particularly the St. Ives school, as well as mid-century design.
My work varies from the figurative to the abstract, mainly because the approaches to the two forms are so different, and after one I like to take a break by embarking on the other! However, what ultimately unites all my work is the attempt to attain balance through shape, colour and texture.’
7) WINTER EXHIBITION
UNTIL 11 JANUARY, AGA KUBISH ART GALLERY & STUDIO, WESTON-SUPER-MARE, NORTH SOMERSET
The exhibition features a stunning collection of work from 40 artists, showcasing a fantastic variety of techniques and styles, including oil paintings, acrylics, original prints, drawings, and for the first time at the gallery, sculpture and ceramics.
Artists:
Ruth Baker, Amber Baggette, Jo Biggadike, Lorna Bryce, Daniel Bryce, Francis Cohen, Ros Cuthbert RWA, Tina Dodd, Paul Furniss, Anna Francis, Elżbieta Gibulska, Sarah Granville, Jacqueline Hammond, Sarah Hanrahan, Pippa Hale-Lynch, Jack Hicks, Mike Ibbotson, Tim Jones, Anna Kelleher, Gareth James Luxton, Gemma Lane, Jonathan Leckie, Gordon Lewis, Corinne Mangan, Eric Maggs, Alexandra Motiu, Rebecca Plas, Ian Price, Sandra Raven, Sue Ransley, Martyna Sabadasz, Kevin Sampson, Vivienne Shelton, Valerie Syposz, Susan Skinner, Tin Stanton, Jonathan Tudor, Sonya Wilkins, Emma Wright, Rustic Visions.
8) LLYR DAVIES: WRECK
UNTIL 11 JANUARY, HARBOUR HOUSE, KINGSBRIDGE, DEVON
Wreck brings together new and existing works by Plymouth-based artist Llyr Davies, inspired by the tale of ‘The Wreckers’ and the many wrecks around the South Devon coastline. Davies grew up on the South Wales coast with stories about shipwrecks and wreckers – ruthless gangs who lit false beacons to lure seamen to their doom. Whilst visiting Kingsbridge, he came across a copy of Ken Radford’s book, ‘Tales of South Wales’ in a local charity shop, which recounts three tales of wreckers at large on the South Wales Coast. This became the starting point for the new works, exploring the theme of shipwrecks in the landscape and the traces of humanity in these tragic tales, which Davies explores from different points of view: the wreckers themselves, the crews of the boats that fell foul of their crimes and those witnessing the devastation left behind.
The act of destruction of the wreck itself is echoed in Davies’s techniques, for example in scraping off and overlaying figurative motifs with gestural mark making. His works go through many stages before they are complete and Harbour House commissioned local photographer and videographer Dom Moore to produce a film to capture these processes and to document Davies at work.
9) SOPHIA AL-MARIA AND LYDIA OURAHMANE: GREY UNPLEASANT LAND
UNTIL 19 JANUARY 2025, SPIKE ISLAND, BRISTOL
Grey Unpleasant Land examines the myth of England as a nation. Combining a range of media—including historical artefacts, speculative narratives, petitions to patrons and a deed of gift—Al-Maria and Ourahmane provide a unique lens through which to investigate the complex and often troubling nature of England’s cultural and historical landscape.
Produced over the course of two years, the exhibition addresses the elephant in the room. As immigrants to the UK, Al-Maria and Ourahmane delve into the “grey areas” of England’s narrative, critically re-examining the stories that have been told—and continue to be told—about origins and belonging.
Together through this ambitious exhibition, Al-Maria and Ourahmane address England’s cultural narratives and social frameworks, inviting audiences to consider the malleability of national identity and the ongoing debates surrounding Britain’s legacy as a nation.
10) TRINITY BUOY WHARF DRAWING PRIZE EXHIBITION
UNTIL 26 JANUARY, SALISBURY MUSEUM, WILTSHIRE
The Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize is the largest and longest running annual open exhibition for drawing in the UK. Known as the UK’s most prestigious annual open exhibition for drawing, the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2024 received 2,280 submissions from 1,270 candidates located across the world for its 30th edition. A total of 115 works by 108 drawing practitioners were chosen by the two distinguished Selection Panels for the exhibition and shortlisted for the annual awards of £17,000.
The drawings selected for the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2024 exhibition reflect a broad scope of contemporary drawing practice made by drawing practitioners at all stages of their careers, living and working across the UK and internationally.
Artists include academicians Janette Kerr PPRWA and Hamish Young Vice-President RWA
WATCH OUT FOR
- THE STRADLING COLLECTION WINTER COLLECTION UNTIL 21 DECEMBER Abeautiful prints, collages, ceramics and jewellery from Bristol’s talented makers THE STRADLING COLLECTION, BRISTOL https://stradlingcollection.org/
- COLLECTIONS: CHOOSE, STUDY, EXPLORE…CREATE UNTIL 24 DECEMBER A group of contemporary textile artists who have used personal collections to inspire the diverse work on show. ACE ARTS, SOMERTON, SOMERSET https://www.acearts.co.uk/2024-2/
- SERENA KORDA: WILD APPLES UNTIL 5 JANUARY This exhibition focuses on an underrepresented subject: the older woman, whose portrayal has been a derided and largely hidden figure throughout history. EAST QUAY, WATCHET, SOMERSET https://www.eastquaywatchet.co.uk/articles/now-open-wild-apples—serena-korda
The Floating Circle 
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