Artists’ exhibition open

The Rye Society of Artists (RSA) is holding its 71st summer exhibition at Rye Community Centre in the dance hall on Conduit Hill, from August 6 to 28. After the pause that was forced by the pandemic, it has been set up in two halls and has resulted in a wonderfully light and spacious display of works, both two and three dimensional.

This year, selection has proved quite a challenge as there were so many entries from non-members, some quite outstanding, but eventually 50 were hung. The society itself has 48 members in all and 43 are exhibiting. Sadly, Fred Cuming RA died earlier this year. There is a work by him in the exhibition and the flyer he did for the exhibition in 1988 has been reprinted and is on sale. Incidentally, anyone interested in collecting the works of the late John Owen (1928 -2020) will find some for sale, kindly donated by his family to the RSA, in the sales office.

The layout of the halls has been greatly enhanced by the thoughtful and interesting way the exhibition has been developed. Ceramics have been combined with wall art so that one reflects the other, in a way not seen before, and all the works submitted by members and non-members have been hung to advantage. In all, there are 391 works on display.

Taken round by Karen Birchwood, now chair of RSA, what struck most is the light and colour in the exhibition. Interestingly, there are a number of black and white works, from Jane Beecham for example, and a knowing-looking dog, Boycie, a woodcut from Janet Milner, illustrated here. Some artists, like Katherine Reekie, are displaying different facets of their work, from formal Great Dixter hedges to abstracts and Steve Duffy has pictures, not ceramics.

Karen has been particularly active in bringing together and negotiating between the the 2D and 3D hanging teams. She explained that there had been a change in the layout and in the hanging teams this year, with the aim of bringing all the disciplines together to develop the approach to the exhibition layout, one of finding a link or aesthetic between the works. It also demonstrates to the viewer how a piece of wall art and a ceramic might look together in a domestic home.

Space for this exhibition is always going to be limited, and the need to find a big enough venue in the town centre is always a challenge, as Karen said, and obviously the dance studio takes a lot of preparatory work before hanging can even start, but the final result is a resounding success.

The society has six new members all displaying their work. Janet Milner has already been mentioned, and works by Lisa Katzenstein, Sally Cole, Yvette Glaze, Chris Booth and Christopher James are all there for you to see. Lisa’s vivid vases are pictured here. Read about them on the RSA website.

It is a vibrant, fascinating exhibition, well worth visiting and enjoying, and purposely informal and welcoming. All the work, except for the Fred Cuming painting, are for sale, with prices at all parts of the spectrum. Original art work has a special feel about it, which makes this exhibition just so enjoyable.

1 of 7

Image Credits: Janet Milner. Rye Society of Artists , Chris Booth: Rye Society of Artists , Louis Turpin : Rye Society of Artists , Steve Duffy, Rye Society of artists .