How the European Art Market developed from the Renaissance to the Present

3 lectures by Tom Flynn at the Mary Kippington Centre

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Summary below; click here for the booking form

1030 Powerhouse of the East: The British tradition, modernism & fine art in Singapore
Singapore’s British heritage since its foundation in the early 19th century profoundly influenced its artistic traditions. It all began to change in the 1930s with the foundation of the Nanyang School of Art and the fusion of Chinese ink painting with the Western modern movement. In the new millennium Singapore is investing enormous effort and expense in developing the art infrastructure as the profile of its contemporary artists rises, with the aim of becoming the locus of the art market in the East. This lecture explores the unfolding history..   1130-1145 Morning Break

1145 From East Indies to Indonesia: Legacies of colonialism & fine art in Indonesia, 1830 to present
change of name from the East Indies to Indonesia in the post-war period is indicative of the changes in fine art practice that accompany notions of independence. The period covered in this lecture is one during which artists began to look away from Western, particularly Dutch, fine art traditions and towards the native artisanal and ritual practices that represent notions of national identity. Ancient Indonesian architecture and religious motifs are briefly introduced at the start of the lecture, but the focus is on the effects of colonialism and post-colonialism in the evolution of fine art in the archipelago. These range from the imitative Western-style practice of a 19th century Indonesian painter like Raden Saleh, through the embrace Western Modernism together with traditional, pre-colonial motifs, to the internationalism that now defines contemporary art. 1245-1330 Lunch

1330 Jesuits, the Salon and Uncle Sam: Art of the Philippines  

The Philippines has a rich and well-established fine art tradition, introduced in the 18th century by resident Spanish Jesuits to provide religious imagery for the devout, and propaganda for the not-so-devout. In the 19th century, Filipino artists working within the Western tradition, such as Juan Luna (1857-1899) and Felix Resurrecion Hidalgo (1855-1913), achieved success in the Salons of Europe, a direct result of access to formal art education in the new art schools of the Philippines. The turn of the century saw American colonization and led to a hybrid modernism in the artistic culture of the 20th century. Today that culture has resulted in some of the most exciting contemporary art in Southeast Asia. This lecture will finish with a discussion of some of the most creative figures in the Philippine art world, with whom the speaker has worked directly as a curator.  

Sandy Burnett is one of the UK’s most versatile music commentators, enjoying a career that combines broadcasting, performing and lecturing. After studying at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge and working as music director for the RSC, National Theatre and in London’s West End, Sandy Burnett spent a decade as one of the core team of presenters on BBC Radio 3. Combining engaging scholarship with hands-on expertise, he devises and leads cultural holidays all over the world, is the author of the Idler Guide to Classical Music, is a highly sought after double bassist on the London jazz scene, and was appointed the Academy of Ancient Music’s Hogwood Fellow for the 2018-19 season.
This crash course covers three hundred years of great classical music, from the first opera still to be performed today, Claudio Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo (1607), through to the work that perhaps more than any other signalled the start of modernism, the ballet The Rite of Spring by Igor Stravinsky (1913).Progressing through the Baroque, Classical and Romantic eras, Sandy discusses what role music played in each, and illustrates how composers went about the process of shaping their works. A glossary of key terms and list of essential elements of each era is provided, along with a playlist with details of the musical illustrations used.

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DAY OF SPECIAL INTEREST AT BENENDEN VILLAGE HALL
ART DECO
Tuesday, 17 May 2022: 10.30 am – 3.00 pm, coffee served from 10.00am
Price: £25 including coffee and a light lunch. Glass of wine by donation.
Lecturer: Pamela Campbell-Johnston

Come and explore the Art Deco Movement. How did it start and where – what was happening at the same time?  Art Deco artefacts include furniture, architecture, jewellery, objets d’art …..

The day will be split into two sessions with a break in each session for questions. The morning will focus on and have a UK slant but will touch on Europe, Miami USA and Napier New Zealand. Then we will learn more about the painter Tamara de Lempicka. After lunch we will look at the art of 1935 set against a backdrop of George Vs Silver Jubilee and we will end with the life and work of textile designer Marion Dorn.

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We have a special interest Day on Thursday 5th May entitled "Doctoring, a very fine Art" by Dr James Grant.  As we still have places available we were wondering whether it might be of interest to other Society members in Kent.

Here is a brief resume of the day which will be held in The Assembly Rooms, Preston Street, Faversham

As a retired country doctor with a lifetime of working in the NHS both in

hospital and in rural practice James is passionate about all aspects of

medicine. His fascinating insights into the history of medicine as expressed

by artists of the time will be stimulating, informative and entertaining. There

will be amusing anecdotes and illustrations, and to finish the day there will

be a short guessing game looking at some of the antique instruments

James has collected during his career.

More information is included in the application form, click here to see the deatils.  However, as Juliet is on a trip to Dresden this week, she is back on Saturday, if anyone is interested and would like further information perhaps they might like to contact me on 01622 859591

Richard Jones

Dr. Susan Kay-Williams is the Chief Executive of the Royal School of Needlework (their Royal Hignesses the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Gloucester, Patron and President respectively) based at Hampton Court Palace. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and the Chartered Institute of Marketing and in 2015 was made a Fellow of the Society of Dyers and Colourists in recognition of her work on the history of dyes.
Susan has a longstanding interest in textiles, especially colour, and published her first book, The Story of Colour in Textiles (Bloomsbury) in 2013. She has extensive lecturing experience and has been invited to lecture in the USA, Canada, China, Japan and Taiwan as well as for the V&A and across the UK. 

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10am    Coffee & Registration

 1030   Lecture 1 – Medieval Embroidery: Bayeux Tapestry to Opus Anglicanum
This lecture explores some truly amazing pieces of embroidery from 10th century metal thread work in St Cuthbert’s stole  to the Bayeux Tapestry and on to the high point of English embroidery Opus Anglicanum, meaning English work, which was sought after by Popes and monarchs. The lecture puts these pieces in to a wider social context while unpacking the materials and techniques and in some cases the people involved.

1130-1145 Morning Break

1145   Lecture 2 – The Stitching Queens: Embroidery in the Tudor period
Embroidery has had many purposes over time. In the 16th century it was used to show love and devotion, for distraction and to make a political point. We will explore all of these aspects through some of the Queens of the age: Catherine of Aragon embellishing linen shirts for Henry VIII; Mary Queen of Scots creating embroidery of protest even while her jailor Bess of Hardwick looked on and even Elizabeth I turned her hand to stitch as a young woman, making a gift for one of her step-mothers, while as Queen she kept teams of embroiderers working remodelling her dresses with pearls and jewels, metal threads and blackwork patterns.

1245-1330 Lunch

 1330   Lecture 3 – Poison, Poo and Mad Scientists!
The 19th century was a time of great experimentation so at first new colours were created from new chemicals and even bird droppings but then, in 1856, an 18 year old student at the Royal College of Chemistry discovered the first fully synthetic dyestuff and the rest is history. Willian Perkin found mauve but it led to a race between scientists all over Europe to discover new colours and led to at least one scientist nearly going mad. Meanwhile, what happened to the natural dyes? This lecture takes you through a fascinating, if turbulent time for colour as well as showing all the new colours that were now possible.

 1430 Q&A      c.1445 Sign out

On Thursday 17th March 2022 the Dover Deal and Sandwich AS will hold a Study Day on 20th Century Fine Jewellery presented by Antiques Roadshow expert Susan Rumfitt.  It will be held over three sessions, concluding 3.30 pm.

Susan is unable to do valuations but will comment on items bought along subject to time constraints.

It will be held at the historic Sandwich Guildhall commencing at 10.30 am (doors open at 10 am) and will include a buffet lunch and teas/coffees.  Total cost £35.  It should be a fascinating day.   

If your members are interested in joining us please contact Denise Lyon whose details are on the attached poster, or contact Betty Russell Flint by her email bettychrisrf@hotmail.com  Her telephone number is 01304 368324.  They will explain the methods of payment.  Everyone will be made very welcome, and if attending It would be very helpful to know fairly soon for catering purposes. 

The Guildhall ask that masks be worn whilst passing through the building to the Main Hall on the 1st floor where chairs will be suitably distanced apart.  It will be each individual’s decision whether to wear a mask during the sessions.

The Arts Society Medway

 “Music to Inspire - from Buckingham Palace to the Caribbean!”

Musical Study / Special Interest / Discovery Day via Zoom, Tue 23rd March

In the comfort of your own home. Guests are absolutely welcome so do please share this information with family & friends (we are still looking to beat our attendance distance record of 3500+ miles!)

Lt.Col (Rtd). Dr. Graham Jones MBE - Dr Graham Jones started his professional life as a musician in the British Army and over a glittering career spanning nearly forty years, he retired as the Senior Director of Music, Household Division and Director of Music, Coldstream Guard position unequalled in military music.  During his career, he has recorded over forty albums.  He pioneered a music education programme with the University of Salford for military musicians resulting in a new Master of Music in performance degree.  Graham was made a Member of the British Empire by Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace for outstanding service to military music in 1993.

Having retired from military service, he is now enjoying a second career as a guest conductor, adjudicator, guest speaker, lecturer, recording consultant and educator.  Graham's charitable work includes event planning in support of the Royal British Legion and sitting on the London fundraising committee of the Army Benevolent Fund, the Soldiers' Charity.  During lockdown Graham has created an online TV show called Channel KT4 which is available on both YouTube and Facebook.

10am    Coffee & Registration (Click on the link in your invitation email and launch zoom meeting)

During registration, attendees will be on open mic and able to chat to each other.  Immediately prior to the start of the lecture, all attendees will be ‘muted’ by the host chairman.  Please ensure that during the lecture you remain muted.  We also encourage you to switch off your camera / cover it with a slip of paper to ensure that any movement at your end is not a distraction to others or, if staying in view to allow the lecturer to see some audience reaction, do please be aware of your image J.  Attendees will be invited to ask questions at the end of each lecture and will be unmuted in turn.  Please raise your hand or click on the ‘reactions’ icon to indicate that you have a question, thank you.

1030     Lecture 1 – The art of state ceremonial music

The UK provides some of the biggest Ceremonial Events in the world and arguably the best in the world but why is that?  How do the military prepare for major events such as State Opening of Parliament, State Visits, National day of Remembrance, Royal Weddings or even a State Funeral?

1130-1145 Morning Break

1145     Lecture 2 – Music power

From the earliest days of warfare music has been used in battle as a means to communicate orders, help give soldiers courage and to improve the morale of the Armed Forces.  This presentation looks at how music worked in warfare and is it still relevant in today's military.  Does it help sustain history, heritage and tradition or is there more, perhaps psychological warfare?  Find out more in this unique presentation on the power of music.

1245-1330 Lunch

1330     Lecture session 3 – Music of the Caribbean

The effects of colonialism has played an intrinsic part in the musical culture of the Caribbean.  They are a synthesis of African, European, Indian and indigenous influences.  Each island has its own complex rhythm patterns and styles.  Find out about the origins of calypso on Saint Kitts, jwé on Saint Lucia and much, much more in this light hearted insight lecture full of the sounds of the Caribbean.

1430 Q&A         c.1445 Sign out

Our zoom licence does allow us some flexibility and so timings may vary slightly on at the discretion of the committee.

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To book: If you are able to download, save, complete and return the booking page by email, that is perfect.  If not, please email the Society: info@theartssocietymedway.org.uk and include all of the information required in the booking page please.

This will be a Zoom Study Day. Check out the Zoom FAQs below.

1030    Lecture 1           The Glasgow Girls. A group of women artists and designers studied and worked in Glasgow at the turn of the twentieth century. They contributed significantly to the development of the ‘Glasgow Style’, a distinctive branch of the Arts Nouveau movement of the same period. Several of the girls contributed work to Suffragette banners and jewellery.
Fra Newbery, Director of Glasgow School of art during this period, created an environment in which women could study, teach and develop their talents in both design and painting. The work produced by the principal artists is examined in detail. Exquisite embroidery, jewellery, ceramics and book illustrations were crafted by Jessie Newbery, Frances MacDonald, Ann Macbeth and Jessie Marion King. Bessie MacNicol was described as “Probably the most accomplished lady artist that Scotland has yet produced whilst Margaret MacDonald Mackintosh, who devised beautiful gesso panels and  lovely interior decor, is finally being given the recognition she deserves as she  emerges from under the shadow of her famous husband, Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

1145    Lecture 2           The Scottish Colourists. Four men from Scotland, each influenced by innovations in French Art in the early twentieth century, produced colourful and memorable paintings. Each had his own focus. Samuel Peploe is noted for the precision of his still lifes, whereas Francis Cadell is remembered for his elegant women framed by Edinburgh’s Georgian interiors. George Hunter painted an eclectic mix of landscapes, still lifes, portraits and houseboats. The colourist who spent a large period of his life in France, John Fergusson, found his inspiration chiefly in the beautiful women whom he loved to portray.
The presentation follows the career of each painter and traces the influences which produced each individual style. It also places the group within the development of Scottish Art at that time.

1330    Lecture session 3          The beautiful Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum was opened in 1901 to house the treasured collection of art and objects of interest collected by Glasgow City Council. Since then the collection has expanded until today it houses one of the finest collections in Europe.
Art from Scotland includes that of Henry Raeburn, the Glasgow Boys, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Scottish Colourists. Works by modern Scottish women artists also feature. There is a magnificent collection of paintings from abroad such as important works of the French Impressionists and of the Dutch Old Masters.
Interesting  objects in the museum range from the unique carved stone balls found in Scotland, dated from five thousand years ago, to a full size Spitfire hanging from the roof.

Click here for Zoom FAQs    Click here for Study Day Booking Form

THIS STUDY DAY HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS GUIDANCE

Artists have always commented on the social issues of the day and there is no lack of subject matter in the 20th and 21st century. In dealing with the two World Wars, the horror of war rather than the glory is courageously addressed. Interesting are works on other social issues such as the rise of communism, the Spanish Civil War (Branson) and debate about Nuclear Energy (Moore). We remember British and Irish views of Northern Ireland, Racism in Britain (Offili) and the Aids epidemic (Derek Jarman), all subjects where the art is beautiful and the subject matter challenging. We now have global politics to confront with the challenging work of Ai WeiWei as well as graffiti from our own Bansky which has spread to war torn Syria and back. The emergence of Trump and his wall, immigration and refugees. These confront us daily. Whatever one’s political view point, there is much to admire and also many ideas to agree – or disagree - with.   

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“HOW DID OUR GARDENS GROW?”

A Study Day

Presented by Martin Heard, accredited lecturer of The Arts Society

At Harrietsham Village Hall

Wednesday 4th March 2020

at 10am for 10.30am

£32.00 per person, including coffee and lunch

Open to members and non-members of The Arts Society

This Study Day will explore the design, architecture and planting of gardens from the Tudor Knot gardens through the Arcadian Stuart gardens and into the gardens of the Sun King at Versailles as displayed in paintings, sketches and prints.

10.30-11.30 - Tudor gardens: 1485 - 1603 (Henry VII - Elizabeth I)

11.45-13.00 - Stuart Gardens: 1600-early 1700s

13.00 – 14.15: LUNCH

14.15-15.15 – The Gardens of Versailles

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CLOSING DATE FOR BOOKINGS 12TH FEBRUARY 2020

The end of the 19th Century saw a great variety of art in Britain, from the realism of Clausen and Herkomer to the aestheticism of Whistler and the 'Olympians,' Leighton and Alma-Tadema with Sargent dominating portraiture. The influences from France produced the bright impressionism of Philip Wilson Steer and the dark, gritty interiors of Walter Sickert. The formation of the New English Art Club in 1886 reflected British artists disillusionment with the artistic establishment dominated by the Royal Academy. 

If you wish to attend the study day please  click here for a booking form.

Through these talks we will look at the society of early 19th Century Denmark, as seen through this celebrated period of cultural richness, particularly its major painter Christen Kobke.

THE ARTS SOCIETY HIGH WEALD

STUDY DAY,    

At Benenden Village Hall

The Honourable East India Company & East-West Trade: Chintz, Chinese Export and Chinoiserie, 1600 – 1800

Tuesday April 9th:  10.30 am - 3.0 pm, coffee served from 10.0 am.

Price: £25 including coffee and light lunch. Glass of wine by donation.

Lecturer: Viv Lawes M.A., B.A.Hons

This study day explores the way in which the East India Company developed its methods of trade and facilitated the increasingly sophisticated and profound exchange of ideas between East and West. It focuses on textile design as the vehicle for this analysis, but also includes objects such as wallpaper, porcelain and furniture, as well as the vast commercial trade in spices and tea.

The first session focuses on the 17th century, examining early efforts to secure access to the spice trade in Southeast Asia and the textile trade with India. It shows how the Honourable East India Company set up a methodology for sending out patterns for copying by the local weavers and dyers, paving the way for the production of chintz, now considered to be a classic expression of English style.

The second session turns to the 18th century and the trade with China. Using the same methodology of sending out Western patterns to be copied for export goods, the Company rapidly expanded operations in the Far East. The currency and balance of trade with China is examined, and methods of production are illustrated with a number of Chinese export pieces, predominantly Chinese painted silks but also including furniture and porcelain.

In the final session the distinction is then drawn between Chinese export and Chinoiserie, a fantasy style produced by Western artists and designers based on the exoticism of China – known to Westerners as ‘Cathay’ –  combining with the prevailing Baroque and Rococo styles in Western design.

Viv Lawes is a lecturer, curator and arts journalist with over twenty years’ experience in the art market. She gained her BA (Hons) at York University, and an MA in Fine Art at Sotheby's Institute.

She leads the Asian Art & Its Markets Semester Programme at Sotheby’s Institute of Art. She also teaches the History of Western Design and the History of Carving at the City & Guilds of London Art School, and leads the History of Art short course programme at the University of the Arts London.

As a journalist she has written for The Art Newspaper, Antiques Trade Gazette, The Guardian, Art & Auction, Country Life and The Royal Academy Magazine among many other publications. She is currently working on a book exploring themes in equine sculpture for the Sladmore Gallery, London.  She is UK consultant to Singapore gallery One East Asia, and has co-curated many exhibitions of Southeast Asian modern art in London and Singapore since 2011.

This is an overview of the history of the Newlyn and Lamorna schools of painting. Where the artists studied, how they met, why they came to Cornwall to paint and how they made the Cornish landscape and its people famous throughout the UK and the world. The Museums of Cornwall and Plymouth have some of the finest examples of these artists’ works which illustrate this talk.

The Arts Society Kent Area

Study Day at Harrietsham Village Hall at 10 am for 10.30 am.

Freelance lecturer in ceramic, glass and the history of interior decoration in Europe, North and South America. Lectures at many places including the lnchbald School of Design, the lnterior Design School, NT and Antiques Societies and Christie's Education. Collects ceramaics and glass. Diploma with Distinction in the Fine and Decorative Arts, lnchbald School of
Design.

10.30-11.30 - The Great Period of Georgian Cut Glass From 1750's
11.45-13.00 - Colour and cutting in the Victorian Period 1800's
14.15-15.00 - Cameo and Acid Etched Glass of the Aesthetic Movement 20thc

Members may bring some of their own glass for Diana to comment on.

To be held at: Masonic Centre , Franklin Road, Gillingham

10am                    Coffee and Registration

10.30 - 11.30        Lecture 1

11.30 - 11.45        Break

11.45 - 13.00        Lecture 2

13.00 - 14.00        Lunch

14.15 - 15.15        Lecture 3

This study day has been arranged to coincide with the current exhibition at Tate Britain, concentrating on three of the featured artists. The two morning sessions will look at the work of Impressionists Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro, during their enforced stay in London, precipitated by the Franco-Prussian war of 1870. In the afternoon we will see the work of James Tissot, fleeing France in 1871 he made his home in London. His realistic style suited the narrative, genre and society portraits for which he is best known.