Dandelion: An Exhibition by Ed Burkes
Dandelion is an exhibition of new paintings by artist Ed Burkes, winner of the eighth Jonathan Vickers Fine Art Award. Established by Foundation Derbyshire in 1998, with the help of a legacy from the late Jonathan Vickers, the biennial Award brings to Derbyshire a rising artist every two years to produce work on the theme ‘A Sense of Place’, inspired by the county’s people, heritage and landscape.
Based at the University of Derby’s Banks Mill Studios, Ed has produced a body of new work for solo exhibitions at both Derby Museum and Art Gallery and the Mall Galleries in London. Ed’s work in Derbyshire has been inspired by everyday observations, hidden history and the poetics of language, and the tradition of Well Dressing is a recurring theme.
Dandelion is showing at Derby Museum and Art Gallery from 11 September 2020 - 21 February 2021 and admission is FREE to all, although we encourage you to 'Give What You Think' the exhibition is worth. Find out more about the exhibition here.
A selection of prints and a catalogue of Ed’s work are available to purchase here. You can also purchase original artworks, please contact Derby Museums for more info.
Explore the exhibition at Derby Museum and Art Gallery below.
Process and Progress: The Work of Ronald Pope
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of the sculptor Ronald Pope.
Born in Gloucestershire in 1920, Pope moved to Derbyshire as a young child. He first trained as an engineer at Rolls-Royce between 1938 and 1945, leaving soon after to study sculpture at the Slade School of Fine Art. However, his growing aversion to commercialism and need for privacy led him back to Derbyshire in 1948 where he remained until his death in 1997.
Pope cited the local landscape as one of his most important sources of inspiration. Nevertheless, his approach to art was distinctly outward-looking. His work can be compared with an international band of Modernist sculptors, including Constantin Brâncuși, Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, and David Smith. Like them he looked to non-Western and ancient cultures, developing new and simplified forms of representation. Equally unconventional was his approach to materials: carving wood and stone directly and later constructing sculptures from welded metal. Above all Pope was fascinated with the theme of human unity, exploring its meaning through diverse subjects such as couples, families, crowds, and even natural landforms. The shape of the cross –a symbol of connection –recurred throughout his sculptures. In this, his art reflects some of the anxiety as well as the hopefulness of the post-war period in which he worked.
When Derby’s museums were still part of Derby City Council in 2008, a programme of events and exhibitions marked the 10th anniversary of Ronald Pope’s death, in partnership with the University of Derby and Derby Cathedral. The programme leaflet contains some fascinating information and insights, including an introduction from Ronald’s daughter and son, Jane Hubbard and Neil Pope. Take a look at the programme leaflet here (download).
Explore the 2020 exhibition at Derby Museum and Art Gallery below.
Process and Progress: Artists of the Jonathan Vickers Fine Art Award
2 February-30 August 2020 Museum & Art Gallery
Explore the making process and progression of a series of artists who have all won the Jonathan Vickers Fine Art Award over the last 19 years. The exhibition shows work from the artists’ residencies in Derbyshire alongside some of their work today and explores their different creative journeys since then. The artists’ exploration of the Derbyshire landscape and people gives the work on display a sense of place. The Vickers Award is one of the most prestigious art competitions in the country and receives international recognition.
Find out more about the Jonathan Vickers Fine Art Award here: vickersartaward.co.uk
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Florence Nightingale Bicentenary
Florence Nightingale lived in Derbyshire and her influence can be seen across many aspects of health care and statistics today. Derby Museums is marking the bicentenary of Florence’s birth in 2020 with a series of exhibitions, events and activities. Explore some of these here - scroll down to see the full choice.
