Bromley Art Society Bringing Artists Together since 1947

An exhibition by f@nmm (formerly the Canvas Club) on at the Queens House Greenwich until November 13.

The club competition was for the best picture depicting the Nelson Era, the catalogue of the NMM’s Nelson and Napolean exhibition was the prize. This was to be acheived without infringement of copyright, and we were encouraged to produce original work by research or at least by visiting HMS Victory at Portsmouth, which some of us did. Some seven works were deselected, and the remaining 18 hang alongside a print of Honorary Member Geoff Hunt’s oil painting ‘Blue at the Mizzen’ as used on the jacket of Patrick O’Brian’s book of the same title. Some of his initial 
sketches are in a showcase. His research goes into fine detail, including time of day and weather conditions for an event being portrayed.

More than half of our works depict HMS Victory, complete or in part, varying from fine detail to loose, mysterious abstrations and interiors. Archie Niven’s watercolour includes a quotation from a poem written by Nelson to Emma, Lady Hamilton. The prize went to Ingrid Riches for a large watercolour ‘Nelson’s Paradise - Nevis Island’. In addition to the prize, unexpectantly several Award of Merit certificates were presented. In the next room are the Summer Exhibition works, not part of the competition. Traditionally, marine painting has been representational, but the NMM curators responsible for selection are finding a way of breaking down barriers accepting more modern work. The RSMA is determined to maintain their standards of representational art, not accepting work of a more abstract nature. Perhaps this will encourage more adventourous marine artists to join f@nmm art.

PW