From the beginning of Western painting, artists have depicted flora in images ranging widely in subject and aspiration, from devotional images in the Scriptures, to still lifes, portraits, and subjects from mythology and secular history. Beyond their decorative properties, plant life usually had a symbolic significance or association that related to the subject of the painting. A plant could be depicted as an attribute, alluding to the identity of the subject or sitter, or as providing a metaphysical presentation on the theme. Even the houseplant in recent years has matured from clichéd ornamental into contemporary symbolic ground. Plant reference by the artist provides a microcosm for our connection with nature.
This exhibition, inspired by the work of Robin Tanner, shows what samples exist of works by this artist within the John Creasey collection, as well as showcasing a more current practice of plant portraiture. The inclusion of works by contemporary artists creates an energy and dialogue with the juxtaposing of styles, which is why pieces from the collection held at The Young Gallery are woven together with pieces from invited artists, sculptors, potters and photographers.
Featured artists: Julia Atkinson, Julie Ayton, John Bellany, Catherine Bloomfield, Henny Burnett, Prunella Clough, Mat Collishaw, Michael Cullimore, Fran Donovan, Susan Francis, Elisabeth Frink, Gary Hume, Caroline Hyman, Prudence Maltby, Linn O’Carroll, John Piper, Keith Rand, Peter Randall-Page, Eric Ravilious, Stephen Tennant.
Robin Tanner (Wiltshire 1904-1988) was an English artist, etcher and printmaker. He followed in the visionary tradition of Samuel Palmer and English neo-romanticism and was greatly inspired by him. The market for etchings collapsed following the economic depression of 1929, and by the growing use of photography for illustration and Tanner turned to teaching to earn his livelihood. Tanner believed that the study of natural things and the exploration of arts and crafts, music and poetry were essential for the development of teachers and children.
The Tanners began gathering the materials for Woodland Plants during the early years of the Second World War, although the completed project was not published until 1981. The Tanners were enthusiastic amateur botanists. Robin Tanner was eager to produce the detailed drawings from sketches made in situ, mostly within a few miles of their Wiltshire home, Old Chapel Field, just outside Chippenham. Heather reflected upon the way that the forty years gestation of their book enabled them to observe and reflect upon the damage to the environment which took place during the intervening period, but more positively, the rise of ecological awareness within our society.
This exhibition, inspired by the work of Robin Tanner, shows what samples exist of works by this artist within the John Creasey collection, as well as showcasing a more current practice of plant portraiture. The inclusion of works by contemporary artists creates an energy and dialogue with the juxtaposing of styles, which is why pieces from the collection held at The Young Gallery are woven together with pieces from invited artists, sculptors, potters and photographers.
Featured artists: Julia Atkinson, Julie Ayton, John Bellany, Catherine Bloomfield, Henny Burnett, Prunella Clough, Mat Collishaw, Michael Cullimore, Fran Donovan, Susan Francis, Elisabeth Frink, Gary Hume, Caroline Hyman, Prudence Maltby, Linn O’Carroll, John Piper, Keith Rand, Peter Randall-Page, Eric Ravilious, Stephen Tennant.
Robin Tanner (Wiltshire 1904-1988) was an English artist, etcher and printmaker. He followed in the visionary tradition of Samuel Palmer and English neo-romanticism and was greatly inspired by him. The market for etchings collapsed following the economic depression of 1929, and by the growing use of photography for illustration and Tanner turned to teaching to earn his livelihood. Tanner believed that the study of natural things and the exploration of arts and crafts, music and poetry were essential for the development of teachers and children.
The Tanners began gathering the materials for Woodland Plants during the early years of the Second World War, although the completed project was not published until 1981. The Tanners were enthusiastic amateur botanists. Robin Tanner was eager to produce the detailed drawings from sketches made in situ, mostly within a few miles of their Wiltshire home, Old Chapel Field, just outside Chippenham. Heather reflected upon the way that the forty years gestation of their book enabled them to observe and reflect upon the damage to the environment which took place during the intervening period, but more positively, the rise of ecological awareness within our society.
