Some while ago an invitation to attend the preview day of the annual exhibition of paintings by the Wapping Group of Artists. The date was duly put in the diary. It is amazing how these things race up on you – like the approach of our fortieth wedding anniversary which seemed an age away but is now but a few weeks away!
I shall not burble on, but place a series of pictures for you to enjoy – click on them to get a better picture…
There was a separate exhibition of pastels which we went round first, being a little early!
These pictures of the Exe estuary by Michael Norman caught my eye…
Some of the pastels were stunning. Christobel just loved a deep blue picture of sea and sky – out of our bracket though!
A group by John Walsom – top, Island Gardens; left, Isleworth at low tide; right, St Osyth, high tide.
Now, we have long admired works by artist Alan Runagall, who is a fan of one of the Wapping Greats – Vic Ellis. We missed out on one of his hangings some years ago. Visitors may notice a fresh view when visiting next…
A selection of Alan’s works on display … left to right – (a moody) Kings Reach, West Mersea, Below Waterloo Bridge, Old Jetty Woolwich, Bell Wharf – Leigh-on-Sea.
Close up of, Thames traffic, Kings Reach, by Alan Runagall…
The Lady Jean at St Osyth by Trevor Chamberlain.
A picture of the Strood foreshore by Derek Daniels.
The picture above resonated through my bones: it was the dark painted line beside the blue boat by jetty. I spoke to the artist … the picture was started some years ago. On a return visit last summer on one of the groups ‘away days’ he took the unfinished work along. Of course, all is now different. Beyond the boat are rows of new housing around the Strood Dock entrance, largely filled in now too. In the foreground the boats have gone, as to has the thin dark line and boat ‘upon’ it.
That thin dark line is the remnant of the spritsail barge May Flower’s broken up hull cut away to the level of her chine keelsons… Those remnants were grubbed up some years ago now. But, out in the mud, I am certain her burnt stern frame knee and rudder foot remain. The artist was fascinated to hear the story!
Canoists at Richmond – John Stillman.
Group by John Bryce…
A view across to Rochester Castle by John Killens.
Hollow Shore by Robin Mackervoy caught my eye.
Hollow Shore is a part of the world known by foot and water. I could see, in my minds eye, Whimbrel creeping up on the fresh flood with a light northerly filling her jib…
These are but a few of what we had the pleasure of viewing. If you are interested, the exhibition is running for a further week until 10 March 2018.
See: www.wappinggroupofartists.co.uk
See also Mall Galleries: https://www.mallgalleries.org.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/wapping-group-artists-london-river