Kurt Jackson
The Avon Project, Part 2: Bath to Avonmouth
June 09
An evocative exhibition by one of Britain’s most exciting
landscape artists is to get its second half premiered at Bath &
North East Somerset Council’s Victoria Art Gallery. The first part
of the show, ‘River Avon Part One’, saw over 20,000 people visit
the gallery.
For this latest exhibition, which runs from Saturday, 1 August
to Sunday 4 October 2009, Cornish-based artist Kurt Jackson has
created a new series of paintings encapsulating the atmosphere and
feel of the River Avon, from the bridges and weirs of Bath to the
sea at Avonmouth.
The exhibition has been generously supported by the Bath-based
company, Wessex Water.
Jon Benington, Manager of the Victoria Art Gallery, said: “Most
of the pictures were created out-of-doors during 2007 and 2008.
Locations visited along this fluvial route include Bath itself, as
well as those less visited secret stretches. Kurt Jackson is one of
this country’s leading contemporary artists. The paintings show his
direct connection with nature, and the series is a fantastic visual
document of the river.”
William Packer, art critic and painter, noted: "We too tread his
project-trail along the bank, by the sketch-books he fills and the
paintings he has made, sit with him in the sun, listen with him to
the birds that he makes note of on his margins, to the rustle in
the grass, and the gentle rushing of the water."
Entrance for the stunning exhibition is free of charge, and the
entire proceeds of the sale of four of the paintings will be
donated to charity – three to Oxfam, and one to the Royal United
Hospital’s Space to Grow Campaign.
In the artist’s own words: “When I was a kid I used to spend
weekends with my grandparents on the Somerset/ Wiltshire border.
One of the highlights of these trips was early on the Sunday
morning before the rest of the family were awake, my father and I
would creep out of the house to walk across the misty, dew covered
fields towards Bradford-on- Avon. This is my first memory of this
fine English river.
He added: “Over the last few years I’ve completed several projects
about rivers – in this country and on the continent. To follow a
river from its source as it grows and changes, erodes and meanders,
evolving itself and the land; this is not just a journey, getting
to know the river itself, but is also about discovering and
understanding the host countryside - the history, people, culture,
wildlife. The river becomes a metaphor for life itself.”
Jon Benington also said: “I am delighted that we are able to show
these beautiful scenes locally, the paintings offer a stunning view
of the changing face of the river as it passes through our
district. I hope people will enjoy seeing their local landmarks
portrayed so beautifully.”
Most of the paintings will be for sale, and full details about the
exhibition are available on the Gallery’s website www.victoriagal.org.uk or by
calling 01225 477244.
A new, lavishly illustrated hardback book devoted to Jackson’s
River Avon project accompanies the show and is available at £35
plus p&p.
The Victoria Art Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm and
Sunday 1.30-5pm. The Gallery is closed on Monday and admission is
free.
ENDS
Notes for editors
Attached image: Kurt Jackson, Early morning sunshine on Pulteney
Bridge.
• Born in 1961, Kurt Jackson has always had a fascination
with nature and studied zoology at St Peter’s College in Oxford
during which time he attended art courses at the Ruskin College of
Art.
• In 1984 he moved to Penwith in Cornwall and has used the
local coastal landscape as a key motif in much of his work.
• During the past 25 years he has exhibited extensively and
has had numerous solo shows.
For further information and/or images please contact; Sue Lucy,
Administrator on 01225 477232; sue_lucy@bathnes.gov.uk
or Jon Benington, Manager of the Victoria Art Gallery, Bath on
01225 477232; jon_benington@bathnes.gov.uk