RWA Press Releases
RWA Press Releases
For further press release information, latest news, or if you require press images please contact:
Fiona Swadling Davies, Marketing Officer at the RWA.
e-mail: info@rwa.org.uk
Tel: 0117 973 5129
Open Sculpture Exhibition
21st January - 11th March 2007
Nationally recognised sculptors Ann Christopher RA RWA FRBS, Nigel Hall RA RWA, Prof. Andrew Stonyer RWA, John Huggins RWA, and Kate Simms Commissioning Director, Cass Sculpture Foundation, selected this year’s exhibition, which contains over 50 artists from all over the country.
Over 600 sculptures by national and international artists were viewed by the selection committee, with the criteria for selection being that the works should be new and exciting. Encouraged by awards, valuing £5000, entries were of a very high standard. The resulting exhibition shows a variety of work, which through intelligent placing avoids being seen as medley of unconnected work. As Kate Simms said;
“The dialogue between the sculptures soon became apparent, and themes within the spaces flow naturally. It is a pleasure to see such a diverse range of unusual materials to create sculpture, which is thought provoking and stimulates the imagination.”
The beautifully top-lit Victorian galleries of the RWA lend themselves perfectly to such contemporary work, the vast height and natural lighting allows each piece enough room to interpret its own space. Andrew Stonyer, Chair of the selection committee, said;
“The Open Sculpture exhibition in the unique space of the RWA galleries gives sculpture the possibility of projecting the excitement of its three dimensionality into the space of the real world”.
The winners of the £2500 Lynn Chadwick Award, the £1500 Reflections Award for Design Innovation (which was enabled with investment from the Arts and Business New Partners Scheme) and the £1000 Castle Fine Arts Foundry Casting Award will be announced at the Private View on 20th January at 2.30pm.
The exhibition will include work in all media with particular emphasis on the three dimensionality of the object. A diverse range of materials have been used from traditional marble and bronze to more unusual materials such as pvc, bubble wrap, Japanese tissue paper, feathers and a camera obscura. This cool and innovative exhibition will run until the 11th March.
Editors Notes:
Gallery Opening Times
10 am – 5:30 pm Monday-Saturday, 2 pm – 5 pm Sunday
Awards
The RWA is grateful to all of its supporters including Eva Chadwick, Castle Fine Art Foundry, Reflections Hair and Arts and Business.
Reflections Hair and the Royal West of England Academy have received an investment from Arts & Business New Partners to develop their creative partnership. Arts & Business New Partners is funded by Arts Council England and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Quotes from the RWA Open Sculpture Selection Committee
Prof Andrew Stonyer PHD BA AA DIP ARCH FRBS – RWA Artist Chairman
“The Open Sculpture exhibition in the unique space of the RWA galleries gives sculpture the possibility of projecting the excitement of its three dimensionality into the space of the real world”
Ann. Christopher RBS RA RWA – Sculptor
“A room of calm, a room of surprises and a room within a room to wonder. Three rooms of diverse and fascinating sculpture –go and see it!”
Kate Simms Commissioning Director Cass Sculpture Foundation
“ It is a pleasure to see such a diverse range of unusual materials to create sculpture, which is thought provoking and stimulates the imagination and themes within the exhibition and spaces flow naturally”.
John Huggins FRBS RWA - Sculptor and RWA Vice President John Huggins
“Chosen from 600 entries this exhibition contains some of the best of modern British sculpture with a good proportion of local young artists alongside established figures. This is the coolest show in town and for many a mile around - don’t miss it”.
For further information please contact Fiona Swadling Davies at the RWA
email : fiona.swadling@rwa.org.uk