RBSA

Drawing on the RBSA Collection - Dry Media Works 1822-2022
2024-02-29 - 2024-04-07 | Gallery 1
Drawing with dry media is as old as mankind. Ochre and charcoal dust were blown through straws onto cave walls by the first artists. In more recent times, the dry media of pencil, pastel, and charcoal were favoured by travelling artists as ideal for drawing with minimum of fuss on site in sketchbooks or portfolios. Drawing was the means through which European artists recorded, prepared, studied, and imagined, and it was often a prelude to painting or engraving. Dry media were also central to art training and versatile both en plein air and in the studio.
Fine drawings are valued not just for their subtle qualities, but also or the insights they offer into the artist’s creative imagination. Works shown cover the whole range of expression from the bold and strident Hippopotamus Amphibius by David Walton RBSA, to the delicately drawn Dovecote in pastel by James Jelley RBSA.
The pencil has been used in the UK since the late 16th century when pure graphite deposits were discovered in Cumbria, corresponding with the establishment of paper mills in England able to satisfy the increasing demand from artists. Good examples of Victorian pencil drawing are seen in the exquisite landscapes of the Lines family who developed a trademark style of lively, accurate observational drawing. Pastels, made of coloured pigment bound with gum, give the artist the whole range of colours available to the watercolourist and oil painter. Two contrasting examples are the magical Wild Beauty of Clee by Claire Spencer RBSA, and the radiant, Vitalism 2 by Janette Summerfield RBSA.
Private View: Thursday 29 February 6.00 – 8.00pm
Artists in Conversation: Saturday 23 March 2.00 – 3.00pm
Featured image: Ann Wilkinson RBSA, Sliced Oranges c.1998

The Black Country 1970s - 90s: Photographs by Phil Loach
2024-02-13 - 2024-02-24 | Gallery 2
Phil Loach (1949-2023), was born in Dudley and studied art and photography at Stourbridge College of Art and Leicester Polytechnic.
He became a press cameraman and worked for three newspaper groups, holding the post of chief photographer at two of them. During his 50-year career, he photographed a wide range of people and occasions in the West Midlands and beyond.
In addition to his press work, Phil created a large private archive of documentary photographs. His personal pictures, represented in this exhibition, reflect an incisive view of places, situations, and events, particularly in his home region of the Black Country. They demonstrate a rare observational candour and Phil’s ability to see the unusual, and sometimes bizarre, aspects of everyday life within urban and industrial landscapes.
Private View: Tuesday 13 February 6.00 – 8.00pm
Featured image: Phil Loach, Canal Girls

RBSA Friends Exhibition 2024
2024-01-11 - 2024-02-10 | Galleries 1 & 2
The annual RBSA Friends Exhibition gives artists starting their membership journey with the RBSA the opportunity to exhibit work in the Gallery.
With the Friends scheme having been in existence since the 1900s, the RBSA was one of the first art societies to offer subscribers the opportunity to exhibit in a dedicated exhibition and the number of submissions has grown year on year. A significant number of Friends progress up the RBSA membership ladder to become Associates and, later, full Members, and many have also helped shape the future of the Society by becoming Council members.
The number of Friends currently stands at approximately 250 meaning that an enormously diverse range of artistic practices are represented in the exhibition. The work on display also demonstrates the wealth of talent within the Friends community.
Anyone can sign up as an RBSA Friend and we welcome artists and art lovers as well as those who simply want to keep up to date with news from the Gallery into the scheme. Full details of how to join can be found here.
This year’s exhibition will be held across both floors of the Gallery meaning that more works than ever before will be exhibited.
Private View: Thursday 11 January 6.00 – 8.00pm
Meet the Artists: Saturday 20 January 2.00 – 3.00pm
Featured image: Andrew McNeile Jones, There Were Times

RBSA Annual Exhibition 2023
2023-11-16 - 2024-01-06 | All Floors
Taking place over all three floors of the Gallery, the RBSA Annual Exhibition can be traced back throughout the 200 year history of the RBSA.
All Members and Associates of the Society are given the opportunity to exhibit which results in an enormously diverse exhibition celebrating the variety of artistic practices associated with the RBSA.
Artworks include paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture, photography and many more, exploring a variety of contemporary and traditional approaches.
With over 150 pieces on display, there is plenty to see as well as artists’ talks throughout the show.
The fully illustrated catalogue of the exhibition is available from the Gallery Shop.
Open Day and Private View: Thursday 16 November 6.00 – 8.00pm
Meet the Artists’: Every Saturday throughout the exhibition
Featured image: Chris Tkacz RBSA, The Distance Between Blues
