'Ice Cream Wars' delivered to the RBSA Gallery...
I start 2025 with one of my paintings, ‘Ice Cream Wars’ being selected for the RBSA Friends exhibition at the RBSA Gallery in Birmingham in January. The Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA) is an artist-led charity which supports artists and promotes engagement with the visual arts through a range of exhibitions, events and workshops. The RBSA runs an exhibition venue, the RBSA Gallery, in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter, a short walk from the city centre. The Art Society has a long, prestigious history, having been established 200 years ago and I understand it’s one of the oldest art societies in the country.
'Ice Cream Wars', oil on canvas, 120 x 150cms, 2022
I was encouraged to become a member of the RBSA Friends by an RBSA member I know, and as a member you have access to being able to apply for free to exhibitions at the (very nice) gallery, and also other events, talks, private views and workshops. I was a bit hesitant if I’m honest as the RBSA can have a reputation for being very traditional and a bit stuffy, but I have had work selected for 2 exhibitions there in the last two years and have really enjoyed the experience. The other work on show has been at times incredibly good, and the private views are very warm and friendly and full of enthusiasts, compared to the countless too cool for school events in other parts of the city, and the gallery is a great space to show work. I must admit that I’m also becoming aware of my age a bit in terms of how I am perceived as an artist by others, not with how I make work: the age and experience seems a bonus, but that opportunities to exhibit are thin on the ground for my age and demographic (white, middle-aged, and more!, male artist painting landscapes), that the Friends group could be a new opportunity to have access to good quality exhibitions but also fresh eyes and perspectives on my paintings, and a chance to extend my network of rather slim range of artist contacts. So, let’s see how it goes….
It's great to have 'Ice Cream Wars' selected though. It's a big piece and I always thought this was a strong painting but I've only had chance to exhibit it once, so exhibiting it in the Friends exhibition, with a much bigger audience will be exciting to see how it is received....exciting slash terrifying that is...
