Review: Royal Society of Miniature Artists, Sculptors and Gravers Annual Exhibition 2025

This week I'm visiting the Royal Society of Miniature Artists, Sculptors and Gravers (RMS) Annual Exhibition 2025 at the Bankside Gallery three times. 

• Monday night: to judge the Gold Memorial Bowl (the top award) with London art critic Tabish Khan 
• Tuesday afternoon: to attend the PV and Awards Ceremony - and meet up with artists and friends
• Sunday afternoon: to collect the artwork I bought on Monday night!

It's always a pleasure to visit this exhibition as this is an art society with some very enthusiastic members who absolutely love meeting people who like miniature art.

View of the entrance to the RMS Annual Exhibition at the Bankside Gallery

The exhibition is:

• AT: The Bankside Gallery Thames Riverside, 48 Hopton Street, London SE1 9JH
• UNTIL: Saturday 22nd November 2025
• HOURS: 11am - 6pm

I highly RECOMMEND this exhibition to

• anybody who is interested in miniature art - whether these are paintings, drawings or sculpture in a variety of media
• all those art collectors who, like me, are fast running out of space for new artwork

You can see my photographs of the artwork displayed in the cases in a dedicated album Royal Society of Miniature Painters - Annual Exhibition 2025 (58 items) on my Making A Mark Facebook Page. Taken while the glass cover was still up, these provide a reasonable view of the artwork without compromising copyright.

This year it also includes a memorial exhibit of 12 miniature paintings by the late Bill Mundy RMS HS MAA MASF who died in July this year.

Portraits by the late Bill Mundy (1936-2025)

Demonstrations

The RMS have always been excellent at providing demonstrations at their exhibitions of the materials and techniques used to produce their exquisitely small artworks. The remaining ones will be taking place between 12 and 5pm 

Thursday 20th Nov - Linda Kracht watercolour on vellum & Michael Coe watercolour on vellum
• Friday 21st Nov - Peter Hayton, watercolour on paper & Christina Hopkinson watercolour on Kelmscott vellum
• Saturday 22nd Nov - Claire Russell, Verre églomisé – gold leaf on glass & Jenny Musker VPRMS watercolour on polymin

How to paint miniature portraits - is a post is about the art materials, equipment and set-up used by an experienced miniature artist which I wrote a few years ago after watching one demonstration in an RMS Exhibition! 

The Exhibition

Things I noticed this year included the following

• there seem to be fewer landscapes - particularly those involving the countryside. Which is a pity as I am a great fan of those painted by Roz Pierson.  Maybe I could highlight that other exhibitions where I have analysed sales, I've also noted that landscapes sell extremely well as a subject!

After the Mall Galleries - where smaller art societies went next and why they're loving it!

Traditionally, there have always been some smaller and more specialised art societies and groups who exhibited at the Mall Galleries.  In recent years, the nature and cost of the arrangements for renting the galleries has changed significantly. 

As a result of which, these societies started looking elsewhere for places to exhibit.  

Two of these societies are:

• The Wapping Group of Artists (the "Wappers")
• the Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers (the RMS)

and this post is about where they have gone!

Details of their current and opening soon exhibitions in 2025 are at the end of each section about the societies.

Note also that these are two groups of artists which love to give demonstrations during their exhibition! You can find out more on Facebook.

The Wapping Group of Artists 78th Annual Exhibition 

- at 340 Kings Road, Chelsea

Every Wednesday between April and September, whatever the weather, the Wapping Group of Artists meets to paint at venues along the River Thames - anywhere between Henley and the Thames Estuary. 

One wall of the ground wall Gallery.

I thought I'd lost the exhibitions of The Wapping Group of Artists. Except this year I saw notices about the exhibition and decided to visit last Friday when I was in Chelsea for a meeting.

Which is how come I came to visit their 78th Annual Exhibition 2025 at the 340 King's Road Gallery

I chatted to the people running the exhibition about how they liked it - and they were VERY enthusiastic about the new location!

• rent is much less than the Mall Galleries i.e. £3,000 plus VAT per week for 
• space over two floors totalling 1,178 Sq Ft
• see plan of gallery
• agents are Sloane Stanley who merchandise the space as a "pop-up shop/art gallery"
• the Wapping Group of Artists could afford to take it for two weeks - which is more days than most of the FBA Societies get at the Mall Galleries!!
• they're in an excellent location in Chelsea (just before the bend in the King's Road as you go west)
• their sales have increased since they started exhibiting here - I think they had sold nearly 30 when I was there. It proves that location is everything when it comes to passing trade. 
• The King's Road is very much a shopping location and those who come shopping here sometimes have bigger purses/wallets than others visiting other locations.
• That said, all the artworks I saw had very sensible prices - because they are all the size of plein air paintings - and certainly the red dots I saw on the wall indicated some of what had sold and they also had very sensible prices

New member Paul Alcock who was steward for the say
- standing next to the red dots of the sales.

Why you may ask are the red dots on the wall rather than on the wall where the  sold painting is hanging?

• This is because when you are running your own exhibition, you can let people take their painting away after they bought it. You then hang another "reserve" painting by that artist in its place.  So in effect they refill the gaps in the wall from sales with new artwork from reserve.
• The arrangement for the exhibition was:
• 20 members display 6 paintings - but make 2 more available to hold in reserve
• those who are Candidates for Membership can exhibit 2 paintings and have one in reserve.

It's not an exhibition which has a catalogue so much as a current list of what is on offer.

It also has a table of pics of all the artists in the show - showing them painting plein air "somewhere" along the Thames between Henley and the Estuary

The Exhibition has a table of great photos of each of its members 
- painting plein air on location somewhere near the River Thames

The exhibition has a simple (and very repeatable) approach to the management of the exhibition

• there is one paid member of staff only who handles all sales - for the duration of the exhibition. 
• Plus members and candidates staffing the floor and being able to answer questions.

It all sounded an eminently sensible arrangement to me! 

You can see a video of what it's been like here

It was also wonderful to see a Group which has been around for a long time, thriving at a new location.

Exhibition Venue: 340, Kings Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 5UR

Dates: 31st October - 11th November (Until Tuesday)  Open daily during exhibitions

Free admission | No booking required

Website https://www.thewappinggroupofartists.co.uk/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/wappingart/

The RMS at the Bankside Gallery

The Annual "Art in Miniature" Exhibition of the RMS showcases (literally) over 500 miniature artworks from contemporary artists worldwide, using traditional 16th century techniques, as well as many new and innovative styles.

The RMS had a similar opinion of the new proposed rents for galleries at the Mall Galleries - and promptly decamped to the Bankside Gallery 

Royal Watercolour Society - FINAL CALL for RWS OPEN

You have until midday on Monday 6th of January 2025 to submit an entry to the RWS Open 2025.

This post covers:

• what is the RWS Open?
• why enter the RWS Open?
• how to enter

What is the RWS Open?

The RWS Open is run by the Royal Watercolour Society (RWS). 

It was formerly known (until recently) as the Contemporary Watercolour Competition.

The RWS chooses to invite open entries for an exhibition at the Bankside Gallery via a SEPARATE open competition rather than, as most art societies do, via an annual open exhibition dominated by artwork by members.

The RWS has FINALLY stopped calling it the "the largest open-submission water-media exhibition in the world". I'm guessing that's because I kept calling them out on this - EVERY SINGLE YEAR - because it simply isn't. My last comment on the topic being.....

I think the RWS would be well advised to read and study carefully The UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (CAP Code) which is the rule book for non-broadcast advertisements, sales promotions and direct marketing communications (marketing communications).

FACT: In the UK, the annual exhibition of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours selects and exhibits far more artists via the open entry to its Annual Exhibition which is way, way bigger than anything held at the Bankside Gallery. It's such a very silly idea to boast about something which it is so easy to disprove.

Around half of the 465 artworks on display in their 2024 (RI) Exhibition ....are by non-members.

Whereas, the RWS Open in 2024 exhibited 144 paintings in total - although it never ever quotes numbers for the actual entries received and the actual number hung. Nothing like numbers to bring some reality to the situation!

Instead this year, the RWS are now saying (my underlining)

the RWS Open is one of the largest open-submission water-media exhibitions in the world, attracting thousands of submissions nationally and internationally each year.

Which is fine. So I'll now stop sniping on this topic and reserve my comments for the calibre of the artwork they select instead. 

See my Review of the RWS Open 2024 for extensive comments on the quality of the artwork.

Frankly, speaking in my best "Emperor's New Clothes" voice, some might be OK in a teenagers school art exhibition - but nothing more than that. "Scrubby" and "scruffy" were two works which came into my head as I looked at some of the artworks.

I am also total dumbfounded at some of the prices people are asking for so little work, effort and/or skill. As I often comment, one can only assume that these are works by people who have no idea what price to put on their work - and what else people can buy for that sum of money.

I'm somewhat puzzled by the calibre of the thousands of entries if the artwork that was selected and exhibited was the best on offer. 

Also if (let's say - because we don't know) 2,000 entries were received, that means that only just over 7% were selected. 

I live in hope that this potentially important open exhibition will turn a corner. 

Maybe 2025 will the year?

Why enter the RWS Open?

The primary benefit of this competition is it acts as a platform for applying for membership of the Royal Watercolour Society. 

Review: Annual Exhibition 2024 of the Royal Society of Miniature Painters Sculptors and Gravers

The Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers (RMS) is back at what now seems to be its NEW home at the Bankside Gallery on the South Bank of the Thames - next to Tate Modern. 

Its "Art in Miniature" Annual Exhibition 2024 opened last week and continues until Saturday 6th July.

As we return to the Bankside Gallery with its extra space and friendly staff, I hope our artists and visitors will also be able embrace the summer weather and popular location again.

I highly RECOMMEND it to anybody who is interested in miniature art - whether these are paintings, drawings or sculpture in a variety of media.

Especially for those collectors who, like me, are fast running out of space for new artwork!

The society is also promoting artwork by Young Artists - and their exhibits included some impressive artwork.

What is Miniature Art

Although miniature art was considerably bigger when the society was first created, the current state of play is highlighted in this introduction to the art form by Anthony Lester (which comes from one of my earlier blog posts).

With a maximum size of 6 x 4 inches (15.24 x 10.16 cm), the painting of miniatures demands self-discipline, for where large pictures give some latitude in composition, miniatures are unforgiving of the least mistake; a tolerance of even a millimetre is hardly permitted. 

 

A Right Royal Connection

The major Royal update since last year is three fold:

Firstly - the continuation of the Royal Patronage of the Royal Miniature Society by His Majesty King Charles III was announced in May 2024. 

That much anticipated letter back in early May this year from Buckingham Palace informing us that his Majesty King Charles lll would be continuing as our Patron was wonderful news. The RMS is deeply honoured and proud to continue its long association with the Royal Family. RMS Catalogue

Secondly - the President Ray Winder and Executive Secretary Claire Hucker attended a Buckingham Palace Garden Party in May to celebrate the Creative Industries. Ray had his interest in miniatures rekindled in 2013 when he visited the Annual Exhibition for the first time and a decade later he is now both the President and the winner of this year's top award.

Ray Winder with his sculpture which won the Gold Memooral Bowl Award

Thirdly - the opening of the RMS exhibition to the public coincided with the announcement that the Honorary President Elizabeth Meek (who was the RMS President from 2004-2013) was responsible for the official miniature portrait of King Charles which now forms part of the brand new Royal Family Order which is worn by female members of the Royal Family on State Occasions. As it had been the previous evening when Queen Camilla wore it for the first time at the reception of the Japanese Royal Family. 

(More about this in a subsequent post)

Elizabeth Meek - pictured with press coverage of the new Royal Family Order
and her miniature portrait of King Charles III
- which she's been keeping very quiet about for the last year!

Review of the Annual Exhibition

• The exhibition is open daily from 11-6pm until 6pm on Saturday 8th July.
• Entry is free and the essential exhibition catalogue is £3.
• Nearest tubes and rail stations are at 
• Blackfriars Railway and Tube Station and - Thameslink, District and Circle Lines
• St Paul's (across the Millenium Bridge) - Central Line

I don't think they'll be moving any time soon. This space suits them perfectly - especially as it's a hop skip and short jump from the very modern Blackfriars Station with its great connections via Thameslink trains to stations north and south of London.

This is a review of the exhibition, however for those who cannot get to London to see it you can see all the artwork

• on the RMS website (grouped by artist):
• Member Submissions  - Miniature Art 1 and Miniature Art 2 and Sculptures
• Non-members (31 artists selected) - page 1 
• Young Miniaturists
• on the Bankside Gallery website - good quality images of all the artwork

You can also download the printed catalogue as a pdf

If I sit and think about what's changed with this exhibition......

Overall this exhibition leans firmly towards more traditional subject matter. 

However, in general, the theme seems to broadly revolving around change from the more traditional subject matter and media of the past to more contemporary themes.

• I think I'm seeing fewer portraits - which in some ways is sad as this is what miniature art is best known for - and also this is what generates most commissions. Older more experienced members are still setting very high standards for the quality of portraiture.
• the subject matter is broadening. There's much less of the "twee" ilk and much more which echoes both ancient and contemporary art. I think this might be in part because 
• more younger artists are getting involved with miniature art
• a greater awareness of the history of miniature art in the past
• the media used to produce miniature 3D artwork is changing and broadening. The sculpture is increasingly becoming more interesting.

Sculpture - mainly by members

A group exhibit of miniature artwork in 3D by Dana Kerr (Young Artist)
won the The Bidder and Borne Sculptors Gravers Award

• I'm seeing novel techniques being used for miniature art - which are rooted in very traditional techniques. For example, the use of gold leaf and verre eglomise techniques - which involves painting artwork backwards from the front backwards (see the article on this topic Technique In Verre Eglomise by Claire Russell RMS MASF MPSGS. Her group of animal portraits using gold leaf was outstanding.

Winner of the Elizabeth Meek Award and the Peter Charles Booth Memorial Award
Images of Geckos, Lizards and Dragons by Claire Russell

I'll pop a link in this post to the awards when they go up on the website. It's very much oriented towards social media site listing at present.

My recommendations for the next exhibition

In general, the display cabinets and artwork are well displayed - but for one thing.

 

I have to confess that I felt like I was fighting more with the lighting this year. Some of the lights were angled straight down rather than set up at an angle. As a result I was getting terrific glare off the glass from some of the lights above the display. That's hard on the eyes and required constant readjustment to avoid the glare and deters lingering long looking at the exhibit.

TIP: Check the positions of all lights above cases to to reduce glare on the glass to a minimum. I think maybe if the light is set at an oblique angle rather than straight down it would reduce glare as some display cabinets were more affected than others and it seemed to relate to the angle of the light.

TIP: Non-members need to think more carefully when naming the images they submit as these carry over into the exhibition online and some of the names which came up on the website when an artwork was clicked were less than helpful!

HOWEVER, I note that the RMS already has a page on its website titled Renaming Art Files and Sending Via Email in order to address this issue. Full marks for prompt attention to detail!

REFERENCE

Website - https://royal-miniature-society.org.uk/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/royalminiature/

Twitter / X - https://x.com/royalminiature

Review of the RWS Open 2024

This morning I visited the Bankside Gallery on the South Bank to see the RWS Open Exhibition. 

Entrance to the Bankside Gallery - and the poster for the RWS Open

The RWS Open is run by the Royal Watercolour Society (RWS). It was formerly known (until recently) as the Contemporary Watercolour Competition.

You can see all the 144 artworks in the show online as well as at the Gallery. Each has a page all to itself - if you click the right link!

The RWS chooses to invite open entries for an exhibition at the Bankside Gallery via a separate open competition rather than, as most art societies do, via an annual exhibition dominated by artwork by members. I think, in part, this is determined by the space for an exhibition at the Bankside Gallery which, while excellent as an exhibition space, is not overly large thus limiting the number of works which can be shown.

Despite my comments in previous posts, the RWS are still claiming that 

"the RWS Open is the largest open-submission water-media exhibition in the world, attracting thousands of submissions nationally and internationally each year."

Although, speaking frankly, I simply do not believe that claim. 

• Mostly because of the calibre of the work in the show but also because I've never ever seen any numbers to support this claim. 
• It's also wrong because the RI Annual Open Exhibition has many more artworks and more artworks by non-members. Around half of the 465 artworks on display in their 2024 Exhibition - which opens to the public on 28th March - are by non-members. The RI also had the highest ever number of entries from non-members for this exhibition. (See Presidents Introduction in the RI 2024 e-catalogue)

I think the RWS would be well advised to read and study carefully The UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (CAP Code) is the rule book for non-broadcast advertisements, sales promotions and direct marketing communications (marketing communications).

(I'd emphasise the same point applies to all other UK art societies inclined to make ambitious claims that they have not validated - I've got a blog post started in draft on this topic!!).

The need to choose

One of the interesting aspects of the two national (in England) watercolour societies 

is that you can only be a member of one - and the route to entry is generally via exhibiting in the open exhibition.

An open exhibition is a reflection of the outlook of its members - particularly those who act as jurors for that particular exhibition.  

• You can see the type of artwork produced by member of the Royal Watercolour Society on this webpage. 
• I'd point out and emphasise that:
• The more conventional traditional watercolours are typically by artists who have been members for very many years.
• Those who lean heavily towards what might be called 'contemporary / abstract art" are more recent additions.

I'd always counsel artists who ask me which society they should apply to for membership (as has happened in the past) to look very carefully at the type of artworks hung by members in their exhibitions. It's a big clue as to who they will ask to join in future. Then to look at the number of sales - as that's a clue as to which is most likely to attract serious art collectors and buyers of art.

Review of the RWS Open 2024

A celebration of Victor Ambrus

Last week I went to see the restrospective exhibition of drawings by the late Victor Ambrus (1935-2021) at the Bankside Gallery.

I was a HUGE fan of his wonderful drawings - mostly in dry media - with some watercolour added occasionally.  He was the most fantastic illustrator as well as wonderful drawer of both people and animals. 

You can see my photos from the exhibition in three posts on my Facebook Page. The narrative is reproduced below - with links to each of the posts. Don't miss the photos of his decsriptions of 

• how I draw
• how to draw animals!

There’s an exhibition of the work of the Late Victor Ambrus at the Bankside Gallery until Sunday 6th August. I went yesterday and it’s splendid. I always used to look forward to seeing his work at Pastel Society Exhibitions. He was both an artist and an illustrator who mainly worked in dry media and who illustrated over 400 books and was part of the Time Team group.

More photos from the Victor Ambrus exhibition at the Bankside - continues until Sunday 6th August. These are of the various animals he drew from life in different zoos in dry media. It starts with a description of how he drew animals.

Yet more photos from the Victor Ambrus Exhibition at the Bankside Gallery which closes shortly. PLUS A description of "How I Draw" by Victor Ambrus.

Plus you can see his work celebrated in two videos (embedded below)

• A Time Team Tribute to Victor Ambrus following his demise in 2021.
• A film made by South West Heritage - which was playing in the Gallery during the exhibition

Still from the South West Heritage Video below - of Victor working in his studio

There are in fact quite a few videos of and about Victor on YouTube!

I hope for all of you who appreciated his work, this is post to maybe bookmark.

Jackson's Painting Prize 2023 Exhibition at Bankside Gallery

 Jackson’s Painting Prize is showcasing the 2023 competition winners and shortlisted artists at the Bankside Gallery in their first independent exhibition until Sunday 30th July. 

View of the Jacksons Painting Prize 2023 exhibition at the Bankside Gallery

Now in its eighth year

• it received over 11,000 entries (more than the double the number received in 2020)
• from 96 countries,
• AND the exhibition includes over 60 artworks from a selection of shortlisted artists.

(First of all, apologies for the lateness of this post - I saw the exhibition on Tuesday afternoon - but then Blogger decided to misbehave badly and after having a fit of pique (I kid you not) I had to completely redo the post) 

BELOW you can:

• find out about Jackson's Painting Prize
• how to see the exhibition
• view my photos of the exhibition
• find out about the prizewinners. You can also see all the prizewinners on this page on the Jacksons Art Supplies website
• PLUS see some of the artwork 'on the wall' in this post

The Judges for this year's competition were

• Martin Gayford: Curator & author of titles such as ‘Spring Cannot be Cancelled’ co-written with David Hockney
• Ell Pennick: Founder and CEO of Guts Gallery
• Hugo Barclay: Director of Affordable Art Fair UK
• Sahara Longe: Figurative painter, represented by Timothy Turner Gallery
• Kayoon Anderson: Figurative painter, Sky Portrait Artist of the Year Semi Finalist 2020
• Lorena Levi: Artist, winner of Jackson’s Painting Prize 2022

What is Jackson's Painting Prize?

Jackson’s Painting Prize is an annual competition run by Jackson's Art Supplies - a fine art materials supplier which ships to artists all over the world

• It started in 2016 to spotlight talent in the Jackson’s Art Supplies’ community. 
• It is open to artists all over the world - of all ages, abilities, and stages in their careers.
• It has an impressive expert judging panel made up of  gallerists, curators, artists, commentators and critics AND I've judged it (in 2020). 
• It has DOUBLED the number of entries in the last three years. When I judged it in 2020, there were over 5k entries. This year there were over 11k entries.
• This year it debuted the prizewinners at the Affordable Art Fair in Hampstead which is where I saw some of the paintings for the first time

How to see the Jackson's Painting Prize Exhibition

You can see the shortlisted artists on the competition website.

I'll also be uploading an album of my photos to my Facebook Page this afternoon.

If you want to see them in person you can see the artwork this week at the Bankside Gallery

• Dates: Tuesday 25th – Sunday 30th July 2023
• Hours: 11am – 6pm daily
• Admission: Free public entry, pre-booking not required
  
• Artwork availability: Selected artworks are for sale. Please enquire at the desk, or at gallery@jacksonsart.co.uk
  
• Social Media:  #JPP2023 @jacksons_painting_prize and @jacksons_art www.jacksonsart.com/paintingprize/ 
  

It's notable that the exhibition includes artworks which are very significantly bigger than those typically accepted by most open exhibitions.

The exhibition includes some very large paintings

Jackson’s Painting Prize 2023: The Prize Winners

You can view the 2023 Winners on the Jackson's Painting Prize website - and in my photos of the exhibition.

There are winners, however I'm going to highlight my personal favourites first.

Review: Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers Annual Exhibition 2023

Last week I visited the Annual Exhibition of the Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers (RMS) at what looks like becoming their NEW home at the Bankside Gallery on the South bank of the Thames - next to Tate Modern.

RMS Display Cabinets at the Bankside Gallery

Reasons for the move to the Bankside Gallery are at the end. I'd suggest they are worth noting by any other art societies who've previously hired the Mall Galleries for their exhibitions.

For those not familiar with miniature art Anthony Lester provides a good explanation

With a maximum size of 6 x 4 inches (15.24 x 10.16 cm), the painting of miniatures demands self-discipline, for where large pictures give some latitude in composition, miniatures are unforgiving of the least mistake; a tolerance of even a millimetre is hardly permitted. Apart from their quality and beauty, they have much appeal because of their size and, with stunning works available from a few hundred pounds, affordability is an enticement too.

More helpful information and tips are provided on the RMS website 

 

RMS Annual Exhibition

The exhibition is open daily from 11-6pm until 6pm on Saturday 8th July. 

Entry is free and the essential exhibition catalogue is £3.

Nearest tubes and rail stations are at Blackfriars Railway and Tube Station and St Paul's (across the Millenium Bridge)

The RMS Annual Exhibition at the Bankside Gallery

I have to say I think the Bankside Gallery suits the RMS annual exhibition very well.  

• There is ample space for all the cabinets which display the miniatures so very well. 
• The Gallery's own sketchbook display cabinets could also be used for excellent displays of the miniature sculpture. 
• The lighting is very good - plus there is of course lots of clerestory lighting which also improves the look of the exhibition. (The North Galleries at the Mall have become rather cave-like and claustrophobic of late with only a tiny chink of natural light following "improvements" compared to the previous incarnation)

View as you enter the Gallery

Overall, initial impressions were good and the artwork all looked excellent on display. I gather the consensus at the Private View (which I missed due to being at a Press View at Compton Varney - of which more tomorrow) was that there were lots of excellent reasons to make this the Society's "new home" and I have to concur that seems like a very sensible decision.

Hopefully, next year they'll be back at the Bankside Gallery - but maybe not so close to the Annual Exhibition of the Hilliard Society which always takes place in June in Wells, in Somerset. These are the two premier miniature exhibitions in the UK and it would be great to get a bit more space between their exhibition dates. I hope some suitable arrangement can be negotiated with the Bankside Gallery

The last annual exhibition I saw in person was in 2019 - after which there were dislocations due to the pandemic and issues with exhibiting at the Mall Galleries.

To me, the standard of artwork seems to be:

• as good as ever in terms of the quality of the artwork on display, much of which is excellent
• still leaning more towards what I'd call "traditional" subject matter. I liked those that were 'very traditional' and more contemporary.

Sales and Commissions

Review: Chelsea Physic Garden: Celebrating 350 Years in Paint and Print

Yesterday I visited Chelsea Physic Garden: Celebrating 350 Years in Paint and Print at the Bankside Gallery on the South Bank.

Dicotyledon Beds, Chelsea Physic Garden by Claire Denny

collage, gouache & ink

Frame: 45 x 45 cm | Artwork: 29 x 29 cm

SOLD

It's a very good exhibition of the diverse perspectives of different by selected artist members of the Royal Watercolour Society (RWS) and Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers (RE).

The exhibition is being held to mark the 350th anniversary of the Chelsea Physic Garden.

View of the exhibition at the Bankside Gallery

There was a previous collaborative exhibition in 2021 - Chelsea Physic Garden: A Year in the Life. This came about as a result of an invitation from the Chelsea Physic Garden for artists to visit the garden and create art as a result

Over the course of the last 18 months, the artists have researched, visited (when possible) and recorded the Garden throughout changing seasons and varying restrictions, documenting perhaps one of the most extraordinary years of the Garden’s life. The result is a compelling and vibrant display of creativity and a wonderful example of what can be achieved in the face of adversity. The exhibition is truly refreshing and uplifting; a reminder of the joys and healing powers of both art and nature.

The initiative which started in 2019 was interrupted by the Pandemic. However at the same time it resulted in a greater understanding of the value of the garden.

You can also read: The Healing Powers of Art and Nature: Chelsea Physic Garden through the eyes of artists

I highly recommend a visit to the exhibition for those who like painting (or printmaking) gardens - or just enjoy Chelsea Physic Garden which is a delightful, historic and informative oasis in Chelsea - next to the river.

The exhibition banner on an external view of the Bankside Gallery

Paintings in the Exhibition - Two Painters

You can see an album of my gallery shots of the exhibition on my Facebook Page - see Chelsea Physic Garden 350th Anniversary - which are receiving some very positive responses from those who have viewed them. Believe me - they're better in real life!

View of the exhibition

I'm a Friend of the Florilegium Society based at Chelsea Physic Garden and am very familiar with the garden. Members of the Florilegium Society all draw and paint the plants rather than the garden.  (READ my page about Florilegium Societies to find out more about what they do). 

It was therefore very interesting to see the different ways in which the RWS and RE artists tackled the subject of the garden.

I'm going to highlight the artists who I thought best captured the look and spirit and history of the garden

Call for Entries: International Original Print Exhibition 2023

The International Original Print Exhibition, established by the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers (RE), is an international open submission exhibition celebrating the best of contemporary printmaking. 

The exhibition is:

• organised by the Royal Society of Painter Printmakers (RE)
• sponsored by Jacksons Art
• held at the Bankside Gallery (next to Tate Modern) in the Autumn 2023.

The deadline for entry is 3rd July 2023

As an art organisation run by artists, the RE is constantly working to create long-term opportunities for artists and promote printmaking to a wider audience.

There are a number of prizes awarded to some of those whose work is selected for exhibition

Education / Studio Time Award

• Thames-Side Print Studio Prize - Annual membership of studio, 50 open access sessions & a place on a print course of choice worth circa £650
• Hole Editions Publishing Award, (Newcastle) - An invitation to collaborate on a lithographic project for three days. Accommodation included, but not travel
• Hot Bed Press Award - One year’s membership at Hot Bed Press, Induction and exclusive time with their technician, 100 hours workshop usage and £50 worth of materials to use at Hot Bed Press

Profile : Exhibition / Publishing Award

• Woolwich Contemporary Print Prize - work exhibited as part of Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair 2024
• GreatArt Award - Solo exhibition in Hoxton Store
• Printmaking Today Award - An editorial feature in the magazine

Art Supplies Award

• Jackson’s Art Supplies Award £250 Jackson’s voucher
• Hawthorn Printmaker Supplies Award - Materials to the value of £150
• Ironbridge Fine Arts Printmaker Prize - A spindle roller to the value of £180
• Intaglio Printmaker Prize - Materials prize of £100
• John Purcell Paper Award - Materials to the value of £150
• St Cuthberts Mill Award - 20 sheets of Somerset 250gsm paper 56 x 76cm

Membership Award

• Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers Prize - One year’s guest RE membership for an outstanding work
• Society of Wood Engravers Prize £100 plus a one-year subscription and free entry for selection process to SWE Annual Exhibition
• East London Printmakers Prize - One year's associate membership

Works from the International Original Print Exhibition 2022

Call for Entries

All the information that you need to know regarding preparing your works for the exhibition and sale of your work is available in 

• the application guidelines which are available as a PDF
• the detailed list of FAQs

Who can enter

• Artists must be 18 or over on 6 March 2023
• Artists from any country may enter - provided they are willing and able to get their work to and from the designated drop off and collection venues at their own cost 

What you can enter

• Any form of original printmaking is eligible. 
• Reproduction prints are not accepted. 
• All artwork must have been made in the past 3 years, dating from 6 March 2020 
• There are no limitations on style or subject matter 
• The work must have been made by the entrant 
• All work must be for sale 

Do you accept digital prints?
We do absolutely accept digital prints, as long as they are limited edition prints created using digital processes, not digital reproductions of another work. (FAQs)

Number of entries

• Artists may submit up to 6 recent prints - for a non-refundable fee of £16 per picture. 
• Students in full-time education (ID required) can submit up to 6 recent prints - for £10 per picture. 

(Note: Students will be required to show student ID when delivering the work to the drop-off location)

How to enter

• Take a good quality digital photograph or scan of each print. The judges will make their decision based on this photograph. 
• The print should be photographed unglazed and evenly lit, and cropped to the edge of the work. 
• View the photograph on a computer to make sure you are happy with the picture quality on a larger screen. 
• As a guide, the file size should be minimum 1MB and not exceed 3MB
• Go to https://www.re-printmakers.com/competitions/ and follow the onscreen instructions to make your entry. You will be asked to provide:
• An image of each artwork 
• Artist’s name (exactly as you wish to be known on the works list and labels)
• Contact email address for the artist (please be sure to spell this correctly!) 
• Title of the work 
• Framed dimensions in centimetres 
• Medium 
• Framed and unframed price for each print (latter only if applicable) 
• re. Pricing - Remember to take into account 
• framing and transport costs, 
• Bankside Gallery’s commission of 45% should the work sell. 
• If you are registered for VAT, please also include this in your price. 
• No changes to your price(s) will be possible after the competition deadline so please ensure they are correct. 
• Unframed price for each print (only if applicable ie. Do not fill in this field if further prints in the edition are not available or if it is a monoprint / monotype) 
• Availability of further unframed prints in the edition (if applicable)
• When submitting student work online, please also 
• scan your student ID and 
• email a copy to info@re-printmakers.com. 
• Any works found to be falsely submitted as student work will not be hung. 
• Pay the non-refundable entry fee using the secure online payment service. 
• Make sure you click the blue ‘Submit entries’ button. 
• Your entry is not complete until you complete this step. 
• Acknowledgement of your entry and payment will be sent to you

You won't be able to access your entry after the deadline has passed do be sure to make a record of the complete entry (I always print off the entry and then also save it as a pdf file in the folder for the competition on my computer)

Incomplete entries or those made without payment received by the competition deadline, will not be shown to the judges. If you encounter difficulties, you can get in touch at info@re-printmakers.com.

Works from the International Original Print Exhibition 2022

Important Dates

Call for Entries

• Monday 6 March, 12 midday | Competition opens for entries
• Monday 3 July, 11.59 PM | Entry deadline
• Thursday 27 July by 6pm | Results posted on www.re-printmakers.com/competitions and successful artists contacted via email

Delivery

• Friday 15 or Saturday 16 September, 11am-5pm | Delivery of successful entries to 23 Blue Anchor Lane, SE16 3UL

Exhibition

• Wednesday 20 September 6-8pm | Private View & Prizegiving
• Thursday 21 September – Sunday 1 October, 11am-6pm daily | Exhibition of successful entries at Bankside Gallery
• Sunday 1 October, 6 – 8pm, or Monday 2 October 11am – 6pm from Bankside Gallery | Collection of unsold work

Selection & Panel

These digital submissions are assessed by a panel of judges who can select up to a maximum of 3 artworks for any one artist. The judges’ decision is final.

The 2023 Selection Panel comprises:

• Rob Ryan (artist) 
• Dr Mark Golder (collector & academic)
• Sharon Lloyd (co-founder of FACE)
• David Ferry (RE President)
• Michelle Griffiths (RE Vice President)

A list of prints selected for the exhibition will be published on www.reprintmakers.com/competitions by 6pm on Thursday 27 July. 

Artists whose work has been selected will be sent an email confirming arrangements for the exhibition.

Preparing work for delivery and exhibition

There are detailed instructions for those who need to know in the guidelines about presentation, framing, mirror plates, labels and insurance.

Note that poorly presented prints or works that differ significantly from the photograph that was entered will not be accepted. 

Exhibition 

The exhibition of works selected will take place at the Bankside Gallery from 21st September to 1st October 2023.

Works from the International Original Print Exhibition 2022

Society of Wood Engravers Annual Exhibition

On Friday I visited the Bankside Gallery in London and viewed the Annual Exhibition of the Society of Wood Engravers

The exhibition opened on 7th February and continues to 26th February and I'd very much recommend this exhibition to anybody interested in fine art printmaking. 

• There are a lot of high quality artworks in this exhibition. 
• More importantly many of them are very affordable (i.e. less than £500 - with some less than £100)

The Society of Wood Engravers was founded in 1920 by artists including Eric Gill, Gwen Raverat, Robert Gibblings, Philip Hagreen and Lucien Pissarro. A break during the war years and then again in the 1970s meant that their annual exhibition ceased for a time; since their revival in 1984, they have built a reputation for excellence, attracting exhibitors and collectors from around the world

View of one corner of the exhibition

I've included an album of my photos from the exhibition in a folder - Society of Wood Engravers Annual Exhibition 2023 - on my Facebook Page.

It starts with images of the prizewinners followed by gallery views of the wood engravings in the exhibition.

View of some of the artworks in the exhibition - indicating the variation in size

I'm somewhat puzzled by where I can find a list of the prizewinners on what appears to be the two websites of the Society of Wood Engravers

• https://www.woodengravers.co.uk/
• https://www.societyofwoodengravers.co.uk/

Images from this annual exhibition can also be found on the https://www.societyofwoodengravers.co.uk/shop or the Bankside Gallery's exhibition page https://www.banksidegallery.com/exhibitions/92-the-society-of-wood-engravers/works 

SWA Feature Artist 2023: Angie Lewin

The feature artist in the exhibition is Angie Lewin

In 2006 I was elected to The Royal Society of Painter Printmakers and in 2008 to The Society of Wood Engravers. In 2010 I was elected to The Art Workers Guild. In 2016 I was elected to The Royal Watercolour Society.

What's rather odd is that the artworks are not all wood engravings.