WINNERS of Rugby’s annual art competition have seen their works hung alongside those by Banksy, Tracey Emin and David Hockney at the Royal Academy of Arts.
Works by Bryan Kelly and Clare Pentlow – both winners of the Rugby Open exhibition – have been selected for the Royal Academy’s prestigious 250th Summer Exhibition, curated by Turner Prize winner Grayson Perry.
Perry and his committee of fellow artists chose their pieces from nearly 20,000 submitted works.
The exhibition, which has taken place every year since 1769, comprises pieces by members of the Royal Academy, works by established artists who have been invited to take part, and pieces from artists who have put forward work for consideration.
In total, the 250th Summer Exhibition features 1,351 pieces, ranging from giant sculptures to portraits of Perry himself.
And listed at number 68 in the exhibition catalogue is Bryan Kelly’s painting, The Fall.
The Fall, Bryan Kelly’s work which features in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.Bryan was born and raised in Ireland, working in textile design and pursuing pottery as a hobby before discovering a love of painting 11 years ago.
His work has its roots in the naive art movement, where artists reject or ignore conventional representations of real objects, while he takes inspiration from artists such as Van Gogh, Gaughin and Pissarro.
Within a year of picking up a paint brush, Bryan took a selection of his early works to Wexford’s Pigyard Gallery to be framed – and was promptly invited to stage his first solo exhibition.
The exhibition was called Avoiding Reality, taken from Bryan’s own words uttered in frustration while painting one day: “Avoiding reality is so difficult!”
Now based in Leamington and a full-time artist working in a studio at the East Lodge in the town’s picturesque Jephson Gardens, Bryan entered his painting, The Red House, for the Rugby Open 2017.
And not only was it selected for Rugby Art Gallery and Museum’s annual exhibition, it was crowned the winner by the panel of judges.
Bryan revealed his Rugby Open success led him to submit The Fall to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.
“I was working on The Red House and The Fall at the same time,” he said. “The fact The Red House won the Rugby Open made me think I was on to something, and I was inspired to submit The Fall to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition when I heard Grayson Perry was curating.”
Perry has chosen The Fall to feature in the Summer Exhibition’s main room, curated by himself and painted vibrant yellow for the duration of the exhibition at his request.
Both Bryan and Clare Pentlow, winner of the Rugby Open in 2013, enjoyed a preview of the exhibition when the academy hosted its traditional Varnishing Day.
Historically, Varnishing Day was an opportunity for artists featured in the exhibition to put the finishing touches to pieces on display.
Now it has become a celebration for the artists taking part and includes a procession from the academy’s home at Piccadilly’s Burlington House to the nearby St James’s Church, where the artists receive a blessing.
Clare said it was a great experience to join in the celebrations and see her piece, Spore, at the Royal Academy.
Clare Pentlow’s Summer Exhibition piece, Spore.“After the church service we went back to the Royal Academy to seek out our art on the walls,” she said. “It all made you feel incredibly special.
“I was delighted to see my work on the wall in the same room as works by Grayson Perry and Michael Craig-Martin.”
Clare’s work demonstrates her distinctive brand of paper-engineering, making intricate and complex pieces from simple sheets of paper – cutting, folding and layering each sheet to create geometric designs and patterns.
Her work has attracted international attention, with famous French luxury brand Hermes commissioning pieces for an exhibition of its porcelain in Paris.
Clare also contributed to television presenter Kirstie Allsopp’s book, Kirstie’s Christmas Crafts, and has collaborated on projects for London-based jewellery designer Laura Lee.
Nikki Grange, Rugby Art Gallery and Museum’s arts, heritage and visitor services manager, said: “Having your work selected for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition is a real accolade and I’m delighted for both Bryan and Clare.
“The Rugby Open provides a platform for the artistic talent on our doorstep and I’m delighted it has proved a stepping stone for local artists to secure national recognition.”
Visit www.cjpdesigns.co.uk for more information about Clare Pentlow’s work.
Bryan Kelly hosts a solo exhibition at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum’s Floor One Gallery from December 1 to December 13. Visit www.bryanbkellyart.com for more information.
Visit www.ragm.co.uk for more about exhibitions and events at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum.
The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition runs until Sunday August 19. Visit www.royalacademy.org.uk for more information.
