Quay Arts will be holding a weekend of cultural heritage talks later in the month, with Tim Craven from The London Group, and Tony Fretton, the architect responsible for the refurbishment of the Quay Arts Centre.
The London Group
Tim Craven, exhibiting artist and curator, will be delving into the art history of the London Group; who are currently exhibiting their show 111 Not Out at Quay Arts. This talk will provide a fascinating insight into the history of the UK’s longest-running and prestigious artists’ collective.
This insightful talk will examine the origins and significance of The London Group’s forerunner, The Camden Town Group, as a foil to the orthodoxy of The Royal Academy and New English Art Club.
What the talk will cover
It will consider how the transition and change of name came about in 1913 before illustrating the various phases and fortunes of the group through the decades of the 20th century to the present, including its finest hour during World War 1 and the nadir of the 1970s.
The London Group’s current Quay Arts exhibition 111 Not Out is celebrating the 110th anniversary of their inaugural exhibition at London’s Goupil Gallery (March 1914) by reaching back across time to connect with the original 32 founding members.
The founders
The London Group was originally set up in October 1913 by thirty-two artists including Harold Gilman, Robert Bevan, Henri Gaudier Brzeska, Jacob Epstein, Duncan Grant, Sylvia Gosse, Wyndham Lewis, Lucien Pissarro, Ethel Sands and Walter Sickert, with the aim of creating a powerful artist-run group to act as a progressive counter-balance to institutions such as the Royal Academy.
The founding group created a unique and sustainable organisation, that has gone on to successfully nurture the careers of many of Britain’s best known artists.
The past feeding the future
111 Not Out is a creative discourse between present and past London Group members that provides insight into the life, practice and influence of the group founders upon the current collective. The past feeding the future, manifested through the presented works.
The London Group is a thriving democratic artists’ collective practicing in all disciplines, from painting and sculpture to moving image, digital and performance, with a full annual events programme in London and beyond.
Public awareness of contemporary visual art
The Group’s written constitution requires it to advance public awareness of contemporary visual art by holding exhibitions annually.
Operating in the interstices of existent art institutions, the Group’s focus today is on self-generated exhibitions. Curated and managed by its artist members, these events aim to offer a serious and alternative perspective to contemporary visual arts in Britain.
Don’t miss it
111 Not Out includes paintings, prints, drawings, photography, film/video, digital and sculpture.
The talk takes place on 20th April 2pm. Tickets are £4 each or free for students (aimed towards 16yrs+). It takes place in the Minghella Theatre, Quay Arts.
The London Group exhibition runs until 27th April 2024 (exhibition free to visit).
The History of the Quay Arts Building
Tony Fretton is the architect responsible for the refurbishment of the Quay Arts Centre building in 1997; Quay Arts features three grade II listed industrial buildings alongside Tony’s work for the centre.
We are delighted to welcome him back to the Isle of Wight for an insightful talk to learn more about the trials and tribulations surrounding his work at Quay Arts, as well as further architecture projects throughout his 42-year career.
Award-winning architecture
Tony Fretton’s award-winning architecture firm holds an impressive national and international reputation, his work stretching across a broad range of buildings; from government offices to landmark cultural projects for the arts.
With his arts projects spanning across prestigious galleries and studios, including Tate St. Ives, White Cube, the V&A, Longside Gallery at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and a multitude more.
During the free talk, Tony will be showcasing the original architectural model of Quay Arts with him for the audience to see the process taken to fully realise the building we know in Newport today.
Tony Fretton’s talk takes place on Sunday 21st April at 2pm in the Minghella Theatre, Quay Arts. Entry is free.
News shared by Alicia on behalf of Quay Arts. Ed
