A Sense of Narrative: New Work by Bridget Lansley. The first solo show of Bridget Lansley focusing on racing and shooting in the Cotswolds. Her talent lies in her fluid command of textures and hues. As well as sporting pictures, there are also still life and flower pieces for viewing that Bridget is also well known for. Fosse Gallery, The Manor House, The Square, Stow on the Wold, Gloucestershire, GL54 1AF. From 9th September. www.fossegallery.com. 01451 831319.
John Blackburn: A Decade of Evolution. Now in his ninth decade John Blackburn is at last receiving the critical and commercial recognition he deserves as an abstract painter of originality and vision: an artist who has taken the modernist project of St Ives into the 21st century. Long before Tracy Emin’s unmade bed or Chris Offili’s dung paintings, Blackburn has been collaging dirty sheets, rough tent material, hair and bandages in a palpable act of touching real life experience, using materials which have already had a life of their own, his works are about layers of experience and are rooted in empathetic humanism. Osborne Samuel Ltd., 23a Bruton Street, London. +44 (0) 20 7493 7939
Ann Shrager. An exhibition of Ann Shrager’s oil on canvas creations. Cadogan Contemporary, 87 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3LD. From 10th September. 0207 581 5451
Jeff Lowe: Abstract British Sculptor at Whitford Fine Art. As part of the gallery’s 40th anniversary celebration calendar, Whitford Fine Art are holding an exhibition of work made during the early eighties by Jeff Lowe, whose sculptures draw on the legacy of the constructed steel art of Anthony Caro and David Smith. Lowe’s work is also inspired by African sculpture and ancient standing stones, and have not been seen as a group since the two highly successful exhibitions at the Nicola Jacobs Gallery in 1981 and 1983. Whitford Fine Art, 6 Duke Street, St James’s London SW1Y 6BN. From 13th September. +44 20 7930 9332. info@whitfordfineart.com.
Jonathan Cooper: Park Walk Gallery. An exhibition to celebrate the gallery’s 25th anniversary showing one piece from each of the 28 artists that the gallery represents from mixed medias of sculpture, drawing, painting and photography. Jonathan Cooper: Park Walk Gallery, 20 Park Walk, London, SW10 0AQ. From 11th September. www.jonathancooper.co.uk.+44 20 7351 0410
Another Country- Vintage Photographs of British Life by Tony Ray-Jones. An exhibition of rare vintage photographs from one of the most influential British photographers of the last half-century. It coincides with a major show of vintage and posthumous work by Ray-Jones at the opening exhibition of the National Media Museum’s new space at the science museum. James Hyman Fine Art and Photographs, 16 Savile Row, London W1S 3PL. From 11th September. info@jameshymangallery.com. +44 20 7494 3857
Country Matters: Bert Hardy, Roger Mayne, Tony Ray-Jones, Colin Jones, Homer Sykes, Martin Parr, Chris Killip, Mark Power, Ken Grant. This exhibition is a contextual collection of black and white photographs from the 1940s to the present, investigating different presentations and concepts of ‘Englishness” over the last half century. James Hyman Fine Art and Photographs, 16 Savile Row, London, W1S 3PL. From 11th September. info@jameshymangallery.com. +44 20 7494 3857
C-Art Cumbria Artists Open Studios. This is a visual art and design festival that takes place in some of the most picturesque villages and venues across the Lake District and Cumbria. 164 artists, designers and independent galleries are all involved, opening their doors to the public in various locations. From 14th September. www.c-art.org.uk.
Marguerite Howarth: Artist of Surrey (1908-2001). This exhibition showcases the work of local artist Howarth from commercial work to precise architectural pen and ink drawings and then delicate miniature watercolours. Until 6 October at The Lightbox, Chobham Road, Woking, Surrey. www.thelightbox.org.uk.
Simon Roberts: Pierdom. An exhibition of the work of Simon Roberts, accompanied by the release of the monograph Pierdom. His work is a comprehensive study of Britain’s pleasure piers predominantly constructed in the 19th century to accommodate for steamers and other sea craft as the seaside tourist industry grew. Flowers, 82 Kingsland Road, London, E2 8DP. www.flowersgallery.com. From 10th September; private viewing will take palce 10th September 6-8p. 020 7920 7777
Francis Bacon/Henry Moore. This major exhibition will show 20 works each of two giants of twentieth century art chosen to highlight their shared influences and experiences in a varied exhibition. 12 September – 5 January at the Ashmolean Museum, Beaumont Street, Oxford www.ashmolean.org
Alec Kronacker: Casablanca Moon. An Installation of new painting and sculptural work by London-based artist Alec Kronacker. Jerwood Space, 171 Union Street, London. Until 14 Dec. www.jerwoodvisualarts.org + 44 (0) 20 7654 0179
Slip: Freya Payne. Flowers Gallery presents a mid career exhibition of etchings and monoprints by painter, sculptor and printmaker Freya Payne. It offers a tantalizing glimpse into the evolution of her style, from the early narrative etchings and colour works, to the latest portrait series. Flowers, 82 Kingsland Road, London. Until 12 Oct. www. flowersgallery.com +44 (0) 20 7920 7777
Groupthink. Tim Stoner reflects how the human unit and group bonding coexist within forms of folk culture, vernacular media and the imagination. The psychological phenomenon of Groupthink occurs when the desire for harmony or conformity influences members of a group; this desire can result in problematic outcomes for the mass as individualistic creativity is suppressed. Purdy Hicks Gallery, 65 Hopton Street, Bankside, London. Until 5 Oct. www.purdyhicks.com +44 (0) 207 401 9229
Jerwood Drawing Prize 2013. Selected by Kate Brindley, Michael Craig-Martin RA and Charlotte Mullins. The largest and longest running open exhibition for drawing in the UK. Jerwood Visual Arts, Jerwood Space, 171 Union Street, London. Until 27 Oct. www.jerwoodvisualarts.org + 44 (0) 20 7654 0179
Masterpeices: Art and East Anglia. A major exhibition of works of art celebrating the rich and distinctive culture and artistic heritage of East Anglia, from Antiquity to the present day. The exhibition will present some 250 objects that the region has inspired, produced and collected, as well as treasures that have long been associated with the area, loaned by over sixty major public and private collections including the Royal Collection, the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the National Gallery. At Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, University Drive, Norwich, Norfolk until 24 Feb (2014)
Tel. +44 (0) 1359 271 085
Vanessa Gardiner: Coastal Architecture. In the Orthodox tradition icon painters emphasize light in their compositions, starting every painting with an application of white. The effect is to enhance the colour pigments that follow. Vanessa Gardiner likewise begins her painting with light; with a pure white ground that lends intensity to the colors that follow. The surface on which she works is ply, a surface that will withstand repeated sessions of harsh scouring and sanding, cutting and incising. Layers of paint are applied and then partially removed. Her paintings are ‘built’ rather than simply painted. Hers is an architectural way of working, reflecting her subject of ‘coastal architecture’. Campden Gallery, High Street, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire. Until the 6 Oct. www.campdengallery.co.uk +44 (0) 1386 841 555
McGowan-The-MacKay: Kilmorack Gallery. An exhibition of three seemingly very different artists who share a talent for capturing what cannot be said through paint. The focus across all three artists is to show us three ways to view our bodies: in a state of living, in a state of connection, and in a state of disintegration. Kilmorack Gallery, The Old Kilmorack Church, By Beauly, Inverness-shire, Highland IV4 7AL. From 14th September. www.kilmorackgallery.co.uk. O1463 783 230
Louis Turpin: A Passion for Gardens. Inspired by the gardens of Great Dixter, cared for by the legendary gardener Christopher Lloyd, Louis Turpin paints floral scenes and the countryside beyond, through blending strong colours and pigments. Bohun Gallery, 15 Reading Road, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 1AB. From 14th September; private viewing 14th September 12-2.00. www.bohungallery.co.uk. 01491 576228
Collect Cumbria. This is an exhibition at Blackwell, The Arts and Crafts House of Cumbrian craft artists’ work. Blackwell, The Arts and Crafts House, Bowness-on-Windemere, Cumbria. LA23 3JT. From 11th September. 015394 46139
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CLOSING SOON
Gladwell and Patterson’s Summer Collection. This is comprised of a variety of events showcasing the best of Gladwell masters and some selected Patterson artists. Features include an artistic exploration of Venice and Italy and a reflection on the work of the great Robert Chaillloux, as well as displays of new work from contemporary masters. Gladwell and Patterson, 5 Beauchamp Place, London, SW3 1NG. Until Sunday 15th. www.gladwellpatterson.com. +44 20 7584 5512
The Portland Gallery’s summer exhibition features both sculpture and painting from a number of contemporary artists including Nick Botting, George Devlin, Archie Forrest, Nicholas Hely Hutchinson and Kirsty Wither. Portland Gallery, 8 Bennet Street, London SW1. Until 20th September. www.portlandgallery.com
Norman Adams at Home & Abroad: watercolours of Yorkshire, Italy & Provence. Alongside paintings of the Yorkshire Dales, this exhibition shows the impressionist influence on Adam’s work, featuring watercolours of Venice and Florence together with studies of olive groves, cypress trees and the landscape of Provence at Linton Court Gallery, Duke Street, Settle, North Yorkshire. Until 14th September, 11-4pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. www.gavaganart.com
Pride and Prejudice: The Batle for Betjeman’s Britain – showing how John Betjeman and others campaigned for Britain’s protection and how the country’s listing system eventually emerged out of the ruins of the Blitz. Original artefacts, films and unique photos show how victory was snatched from the jaws of defeat. At the Quadriga Gallery, Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner, London W1 from 17 July to 15 Sept. (see review in Country Life July 17 2013) www.english-heritage.org.uk
Dovecot Studios: there may be something here to interest you in the coming months as Victoria Crowe’s celebrated painting, Large Tree Group (1975), has now been made into a tapestry. It will be shown alongside other hand-tufted rugs to showcase the unique and awe-inspiring skills of the weavers. Not only this, but Dazzle@Dovecot returns for its second year with a jewellery designers and silversmiths exhibition. At Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh until 14 September. www.dovecotstudios.com, 0131 550 3660.
BP Portrait Award. The annual portrait competition, showing the best of contemporary portraiture from around the world. At the National Portrait Gallery, London 20th June- 15th September 2013.
Harry Cory Wright – ‘Hey Charlie’ – a celebration of over 50 years of the photographer’s involvement with a particular bend in a river and the field beside it. Cory Wright worked for many years exclusively with the large 10×8 inch plate camera. In this new series he mixes this approach with high end digital cameras that allow him to explore the opportunities afforded by post production and print. At Eleven, 11 Eccleston Street, London SW1 until 14 Sep. www.elevenfineart.com
Curiosity – Art and the Pleasure of Knowing -a Hayward touring exhibition that moves wittily, sometimes mysteriously, between contemporary art, anatomy, Old Master drawings, the history of criminology, Cold War secrets, the origins of museums and voyeurism in everyday life. Taking as a starting point the cabinets of curiosities that flourished throughout Europe in the 17th century, it’s a detailed and spectacular meditation on the nature of wonder, fascination and inquiry. At Turner Contemporary, Margate until 15 Sep. www.southbankcentre.co.uk
Exultant Strangeness: Graham Sutherland Landscapes. Graham Sutherland (1903-1980) was one of the great British landscape painters and, during the 1940s and 50s, one of the most famous artists in this country. Initially inspired by the visionary landscapes of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century artists such as William Blake and Samuel Palmer, Sutherland transcended his influences to create a vocabulary that was uniquely his own. This exhibition highlights the brilliant power of Sutherland’s imagination and demonstrates the diverse ways in which he transformed his experience of his environment. At Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal, Cumbria from 28 Jun to 15 Sep. www.lakelandartstrust.org.uk.
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