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Subscriber Only Event
Wednesday, 19 January at 10:45 am
Behind-the-scenes in Textiles
Curator led Tour
Victoria and Albert Museum
The Victoria and Albert textile storerooms contain a treasure trove of historical textiles and fashion. Guided by Eleri Lynn, Assistant Curator of The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London 1947-1957 and Curator of the forthcoming Undressed: 350 Years of Underwear in Fashion, we saw designs by the Grand Couturiers of the 20th century including Dior, Chanel and Givenchy. Due to the small size of the storerooms, the tour is strictly limited to 15 subscribers.Thursday, 3 February, 10:30 to noon
Curator led visit
Picasso to Julie Mehretu: Modern Drawings from the British Museum
And to the Study Room
The British Museum
Great Russell Street
The Department of Prints and Drawings contains the national collection of Western prints and drawings, in the same way as the National Gallery and Tate hold the national collection of paintings. It is one of the top three collections of its kind in the world. There are approximately 50,000 drawings and over two million prints dating from the beginning of the fifteenth century up to the present day.
Frances Carey guided us through Picasso to Julie Mehretu: Modern Drawings from the British Museum Collection. Collected over the past 35 years, this exhibition showcases many of the great artists of the 20th century, starting with Picasso’s study for his masterpiece Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, the painting that shook the art world in 1907. The exhibition also includes works by the following artists: Louise Bourgeois, Judy Chicago, Jay DeFeo, Dorothy Dehner, Linda Karshan, Julie Mehretu, Judy Pfaff, Edda Renouf and Kiki Smith.
Then we visited the Study Room and looked at some of the works on paper by women artists in the collection including Maria Cosway Angelica Kaufmann, Mary Cassatt, Deanna Petherbridge, Gwen John, Bridget Riley, Linda Karshan and 1995 works by Tracey Emin.
____________________A NEW OPPORTUNITY from our friends at Handel House:
Thursday 3 February at 6:30-7:30 pm
Forgotten Voices
Handel House
25 Brook Street
W1K 4HB
Friends of NMWA UK obtained a limited number of tickets for this concert of duets and arias by forgotten female composers of the Baroque era, centring around works of Barbara Strozzi and Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre. Performed by En Travesti Ensemble who explore gender representation, identity and ambiguity in opera, song and oratorio.
Wednesday 2nd March, 2.00 pm
Guided visit to the Foundling Hospital Museum
and self viewing of temporary exhibition
Threads of Feeling
40 Brunswick Square
City of London WC1N 1AZ
When the Foundling Hospital was opened in 1741 more than half the babies born in London died. Parents of poor or illegitimate children had the choice of leaving them at the parish poorhouses or the workhouse where the mortality rate was more than 90%. Captain Thomas Coram, a philanthropist, was appalled at this state of affairs and established the Foundling Hospital to take in and care for some of these unfortunate children. He was helped by the artist William Hogarth and the composer George Frideric Handel.The Coram Foundation houses a remarkable collection of art, period interiors and social history. The Foundling Hospital Museum is currently showing Threads of Feeling, a collection of fragments of 18th and 19th textiles which mothers left with their babies in the forlorn hope of identifying them at a later stage. The information that accompanies the swatches of material is very often heartbreaking and illuminates the hardships that many women had to suffer.
Cost £15 for subscribers /£20 for others
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Monday, March 14th at 11:00 am
Nancy Spero
Exhibition visit with curator Sophie O'Brien
Serpentine Gallery
The Serpentine Gallery presents an exhibition of the celebrated American artist Nancy Spero, the first major presentation following her death in autumn 2009. Nancy Spero has been initiated by the Centre Pompidou, Paris, (presented from 13 October 2010 to 10 January 2011), and adapted for the Serpentine Gallery.
Artist and activist Nancy Spero (1926–2009) was a leading pioneer of feminist art. During her 50-year career, she created a vibrant visual language constructed from the histories and mythologies of past and present cultures.
Spero rejected the dominant post-war movements of formalist Abstraction and Pop Art in the 1950s, developing a more ephemeral way of working that used paper and collage, gouache and printmaking. Over her lifetime, Spero’s practice grew increasingly collaborative, reflecting both her involvement in the politics of the Women’s Movement as well as the progressive physical difficulties she faced as a sufferer of chronic arthritis. During her life she remained politically active and was a founding member of the first women’s cooperative gallery, A.I.R. (Artists in Residence), in New York. In her late work, Spero drew upon a broad range of visual sources – from Etruscan frescos to fashion magazines – to create a figurative lexicon representing women from pre-history to the present.
Cost: £15 for subscribers/£20 for all others______________________
Thursday 24th March, 9:00 am
Susan Hiller
Pre-opening hours private tour with curator Ann Gallagher
Tate Britain
Meet at Manton Entrance in Atterbury Street
London SW1P 4RGAn exciting opportunity to visit this major survey exhibition of the work of Susan Hiller, American born artist who has been working in Britain for over 30 years. We were honoured that Ann Gallagher, Head of Collections (British Art), led us through Hiller’s key works, from assembled postcard images made in the 1970s to her pioneering mixed-media installations and video projections. The exhibition focused on Hiller's interest in the subconscious or unconscious mind, whether in the form of dreams and memories or as supernatural or visionary experiences.
For extra insights, please read:
The Telegraph “the moral beauty I find in these works sends a shiver down my spine“
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/art-reviews/8311816/Susan-Hiller-at-Tate-Britain-hidden-voices-lost-worlds.htmlOr The Independent “poignant, terrifying”
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/reviews/susan-hiller-tate-britain-london-2205528.htmlSupporting Subscribers Only.
Day Trip to Charleston House Bloomsbury In Sussex
Wednesday 18th May
In 1915, Charleston House became the home of Bloomsbury painters Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant and their unconventional household. We attended a guided tour of the house which was transformed by the artists who painted walls and furniture, and filled rooms with textiles, ceramics, and works of art from their collection. Charleston provided a country retreat for the Bloomsbury set - Virginia Woolf, EM Forster and Maynard Keynes were frequent guests and the house was a centre for creativity and style for over 60 years.
After touring the Charleston Farmhouse there was time to wander in the garden and shop before a light lunch (at own cost) in Berwick Village. At 3 pm we made our way to Berwick Church for a guided tour of the colourful murals of the Annunciation, the Nativity and Crucifixion painted by Duncan Grant and others using their children and friends as models.
Visit to Kate Malone's Studio
Wednesday 25th MayKate Malone is a ceramicist (trained at Bristol Polytechnic and the Royal College of Art) concerned with strongly sculptural organic forms. Her pots take on the forms of vessels and although her works look as though they should function, that is not their prime motivation. Malone sees herself as a 'maker of decorative objects'
In Malone’s words – ‘I aim to be at the same time both very serious and quite silly, simple and clever, adult and child. My aim to broadcast a sense of optimism through my work, to touch the emotions, the pleasure buttons of the spirit, and chase an instinctive use of positive symbolism. I work in three areas; large-scale public projects, one of a kind ceramics and playful smaller pieces.After a talk by Malone in her studio, Malon lead us over for a self-treat lunch at the Geffrye Museum before a tour. The Geffrye explores the home from 1600 to the present day. The fountain in the walled herb garden was designed by ceramicist Kate Malone. A Geffrye curator introduced the Museum and we were free to explore at our own pace.
From our friends at The Courtauld Institute we are invited to join this seminar:
Marie-Louise von Motesiczky, Self-Portrait with Red Hat, 1938,
oil on canvas, 51 x 36 cm, ©The Marie-Louise von Motesiczky Charitable TrustMarie-Louise von Motesiczky
Friday 27 May at 3:30- 6:40 pm
The Courtauld Institute of Art
Friends of NMWA, UK were invited to attend a seminar to mark the publication of the catalogue raisonné of the paintings of Marie-Louise von Motesiczky, Austrian-born artist who resided in Britain after 1939. The seminar explored Motesiczky’s relationship to the artistic and literary exile milieu in London, her quest for self- expression, as well as conveying the state of research in progress. Speakers include Friends of NMWA Advisory Council Member, Jill Lloyd.
For more information visit: www.courtauld.ac.uk
This event was organised by The Courtauld Institute of Art, Research Forum with the generous support of The Marie-Louise von Motesiczky Charitable Trust.
Day Trip to Yorkshire
Hepworth Wakefield and Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Tuesday, 21st June
A fabulous day trip to Yorkshire including a curator led tour to Hepworth Wakefield, Chipperfield designed museum which opened 21st May. A highlight of the displays will be an unknown and unique collection of forty sculptures by Barbara Hepworth, gifted by the Hepworth Estate, as well as works by many of her contemporaries, and contemporary work by Rebecca Birch and Eva Rothschild. We also visited the Yorkshire Sculpture Park with a curator-led tour of the current exhibitions. We saw many sculptural works by women (including More Hepworth), and current exhibitions featuring a film by Shirin Neshat, work by Rebecca Chesney, and installation by Mel Brimfield.
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Tracey Emin - Love is What You Want
Tuesday, 28th June at 10:00 am
Visit with Ralph Rugoff, Director
Hayward Gallery
Southbank Centre
London SE1 8 XXRalph Rugoff, Director of the Hayward Gallery, guided us through this major survey of works by Tracey Emin, one of Britain's most celebrated contemporary artists. Covering every period of her career, the exhibition features painting, drawing, photography, textiles, video and sculpture. Seldom-seen and early works and recent large-scale installations are shown together with new outdoor sculptures created especially for the Hayward Gallery.
Women War Artists at
Imperial War MuseumTuesday, 6 September at 11 a.m.
A tour by curator Kathleen Palmer of Women War Artists, which explored through art the experiences of women in wartime from the First World War to the present day.
Kathleen Palmer, Head of Art in the Department of Collections at the Imperial War Museum has curated a new and important exhibition, Women War Artists which in her words “seeks to redress the tendency to see conflict through the eyes of men. It explores the experiences of women in wartime from the First World War to the present day and features art by figures from Dame Laura Knight, who painted the Nuremberg Trials, to Turner Prize nominee Mona Hatoum.”
Curator led Tour of Hiscox Corporate Art Collection
Thursday, 15 September at 6 P.M.
Subscribers only
A rare opportunity to visit this corporate art collection focused on uncovering and encouraging emerging artists, featuring women including Sophie Calle, Susan Derges, Sarah Lucas, Polly Morgan, Cornelia Parker and Elizabeth Neel.
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Visit to Private Collection - Contemporary Photography
tuesday, 20 September at 6:30 p.m.Supporting Subscribers only
Supporting Subscribers were invited to visit a private collection of contemporary photography including many women artists such as Diane Arbus, Cindy Sherman, Annie Liebowitz and Candida Hofer.
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Day Trip to Pallant House and the CASS Foundation
Tuesday, 27 September, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.A fabulous day combining these two wonderful collections near Chichester:
Pallant House: Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera: Masterpieces from The Gelman Collection
with a talk and curator led tour of this exciting exhibition. The two most famous artists from Mexico; the exhibition brings together works by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera for the first time in the UK.
CASS Foundation: British Sculpture in the 21st century
An introductory talk on the collection followed by a curator led tour of the sculpture park
Frieze Art Fair: Guided Tour with Alistair Hicks
Friday, 14 October, noon
Meet at Deutsche Bank Private Entrance, Regent's Park
Subscribers Only
A guided tour of Frieze with Alistair Hicks, Art Advisor to Deutsche Bank, prime sponsor of Frieze and owner of one of the world's largest and most important contemporary art collections. The tour focued on highlights of the fair and included works by women artists.
For general information about Frieze please refer to http://www.friezeartfair.com/.
Preview: The Future Queen of the Screen, Helen Carmel Benigson
Thursday, 10 November
5-6 pm for pre-preview
6-8 pm private view continues
Preview of Exhibition with live performances and curator talk
Rollo Contemporary Art
51 Cleveland Street
London W1T 4JHFriends of NMWA, UK wasinvited to an exclusive pre-preview and performance event celebrating the latest exhibition by Vogue’s “Hot New Performer”, Helen Carmel Benigson! The Future Queen of the Screen, will present Benigson’s latest body of video and photographic works. Benigson transformed the gallery space into a poker lounge. From 5 pm, there was a live poker performance by Princess Belsize Dollar followed by a curator talk and another live performance and the opportunity to meet and talk to the artist. At 6 pm, the private view opened to the general public and Friends NMWA guests were welcome to stay for additional performances and refreshments. www.rolloart.com
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Commissioning Art: A Talk on the Process
Monday, 28 November- 5 pm
The Mall Galleries, 17 Carlton House Terrace, SW1Y 5BDAfternoon tea with The Federation of British Artists fine arts consultants and a talk about the commissioning process at the The New English Arts Club: 125th Annual Exhibition at the Mall Galleries. Historically, the NEAC was an important outlet for women artists to exhibit their work alongside and at the same level as men, with many prominent members such as Margaret Preston, Clare Atwood and Mary Sargant Florence – also part of the Suffragette movement. The tradition continues today with many prominent female members, such as artists Daphne Todd (winner of the BP Portrait Prize 2010), Sue Ryder, who has painted the Queen, Jane Bond and Charlotte Halliday.
The afternoon gave people a chance to see the exhibition, find out and ask questions about the process of commissioning art, and meet Jane Bond, one of the exhibiting female artists who provided the artist’s perspective on the commissioning experience. Jane is a member of both the NEAC and the Royal Society of Portrait Painters and has painted eminent figures such as Betty Boothroyd and Vivian Duffield. www.mallgalleries.org.uk______________
Guided Tour of Women Sculptors at Victoria and Albert Museum
Tuesday, 29 November 11:00 am
Meet at the Information Desk
A guided tour of Women Sculptors represented throughout the V and A Museum. The tour will be led by Dr. Amy Mechowski, a specialist on women artists and sculptors. We could view rarely exhibited wax sculptures by women artists and learn about women wax modellers in the 19th century.
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Guided Visit: The First Actresses: Nell Gwyn to Sarah Siddons
Thursday, 1 December
6:00 - 7:30 pm
National Portrait Gallery
This is the first exhibition to use feminine portraiture to explore the vibrant relationship between eighteenth-century art and theatre. Before Charles II, women were not allowed to act in public theatre. But from the early 18th century, women performers were increasingly in demand and feeding a growing market for portraits, biographies and gossip, all essential ingredients of what we now describe as “celebrity culture.” Attempts were made at the same time to raise the profile of British art, which included the founding of the Royal Academy of Art. A close relationship developed between the fine arts and the theatre and exhibitions at the RA often included large scale portraits of successful women actresses. These ambitious portraits pulled in the crowds and acted as forms of advertising for both the theatre and the art exhibition. www.npg.org.uk
