Event Type : Exhibitions

There is joy and beauty in humble food ingredients. Gareth attempts to draw attention to natural abundance, sunlight, shadows brilliant colour and texture through striking design. It’s his invitation to look at what we have already, right in front of us, not focus on what we don’t have. A lemon doesn’t envy an orange’s ‘orange-ness’, it just tries to be the best version of a lemon it can be in the time it has. We could learn a lot from this.

Image: Gareth Austin ARBSA, Lemons on Slate

The RBSA Gallery is open. Visit us Tuesday – Saturday. Opening hours are 10.30am – 5.00pm.

Ryan Everson’s current body of work delves into the intricate world of graffiti laden, doorways, urban decay, and the concept of palimpsest, all encapsulated in the realm of miniature painting. Through meticulous detail, he aims to capture the essence of forgotten spaces and the stories they silently bare. These weathered thresholds and decaying urban landscapes become his canvas, each layer of paint revealing the history and transformation of these once vibrant places. In his work, he seeks to not only preserve the memory of these spaces, but also to evoke a sense of nostalgia, curiosity and hidden beauty can be found amidst decay.

Image: Ryan Everson RBSA, Hepburn Road

The RBSA Gallery is open. Visit us Tuesday – Saturday. Opening hours are 10.30am – 5.00pm.

Ross McCormick obtained a BA in Furniture & Product Design at Nottingham Trent University (2006) and an MA in Fine Art from Chelsea College of Arts (2018). He is currently Artist in Residence at Coventry University.
A principal theme in Ross’ work is ‘the representation and effect of labour’ linking production to the everyday. Influenced by his industrial class roots, he embraces a deconstructivist language that investigates tensions and struggles surrounding a labour economy after postmodernism in an effort to stimulate new ideas around Arts & Engineering.
Through a social realist lens, he often re-surfaces past workers’ lived experience or constructs social sculptural interventions to identify new narratives that engage in a dialogue around process and production. Themes are based around ‘Rights to Protest’, ‘Normative Masculinity’, ‘Immaterial Labour’ and Imperialism. Taking a holistic approach towards the re-use of salvaged automotive readymade objects, he explores the metaphysical relationship between industrial production and spiritual consciousness.

Image: Ross McCormick GRBSA, 1/4 Irish

The RBSA Gallery is open. Visit us Tuesday – Saturday. Opening hours are 10.30am – 5.00pm.

As a member organisation, the RBSA is always seeking to induct new artists into the Society.  To facilitate this, the Gallery hosts the RBSA Candidates Exhibition every April.
Artists can apply to become an RBSA Associate or, for those who have been an Associate for three or more years, there is the option to apply for full RBSA Membership.
On display are six works from each candidate, all representing their current artistic practice.  Throughout the exhibition, existing Members and Associates will be voting on who they would like to see join the RBSA; the be successful, candidates must receive 50% +1 of the votes.
Representing the future of the RBSA Membership, the exhibition features both traditional and contemporary work resulting in an exciting and diverse show.

Featured image: Candidates 2024

The RBSA Gallery is open. Visit us Tuesday – Saturday. Opening hours are 10.30am – 5.00pm.

There is joy and beauty in humble food ingredients. Gareth attempts to draw attention to natural abundance, sunlight, shadows brilliant colour and texture through striking design. It’s his invitation to look at what we have already, right in front of us, not focus on what we don’t have. A lemon doesn’t envy an orange’s ‘orange-ness’, it just tries to be the best version of a lemon it can be in the time it has. We could learn a lot from this.

Image: Gareth Austin ARBSA, Lemons on Slate

The RBSA Gallery is open. Visit us Tuesday – Saturday. Opening hours are 10.30am – 5.00pm.

Ryan Everson’s current body of work delves into the intricate world of graffiti laden, doorways, urban decay, and the concept of palimpsest, all encapsulated in the realm of miniature painting. Through meticulous detail, he aims to capture the essence of forgotten spaces and the stories they silently bare. These weathered thresholds and decaying urban landscapes become his canvas, each layer of paint revealing the history and transformation of these once vibrant places. In his work, he seeks to not only preserve the memory of these spaces, but also to evoke a sense of nostalgia, curiosity and hidden beauty can be found amidst decay.

Image: Ryan Everson RBSA, Hepburn Road

The RBSA Gallery is open. Visit us Tuesday – Saturday. Opening hours are 10.30am – 5.00pm.

Ross McCormick obtained a BA in Furniture & Product Design at Nottingham Trent University (2006) and an MA in Fine Art from Chelsea College of Arts (2018). He is currently Artist in Residence at Coventry University.
A principal theme in Ross’ work is ‘the representation and effect of labour’ linking production to the everyday. Influenced by his industrial class roots, he embraces a deconstructivist language that investigates tensions and struggles surrounding a labour economy after postmodernism in an effort to stimulate new ideas around Arts & Engineering.
Through a social realist lens, he often re-surfaces past workers’ lived experience or constructs social sculptural interventions to identify new narratives that engage in a dialogue around process and production. Themes are based around ‘Rights to Protest’, ‘Normative Masculinity’, ‘Immaterial Labour’ and Imperialism. Taking a holistic approach towards the re-use of salvaged automotive readymade objects, he explores the metaphysical relationship between industrial production and spiritual consciousness.

Image: Ross McCormick GRBSA, 1/4 Irish

The RBSA Gallery is open. Visit us Tuesday – Saturday. Opening hours are 10.30am – 5.00pm.

Enamel Matters is a showcase of work by members of the British Society of Enamellers. The exhibition seeks to promote and celebrate the work of BSE members who work in vitreous enamel.
A variety of both traditional and contemporary techniques are evident in both the jewellery and unique objects on display.
The British Society of Enamellers has a broad membership, encompassing different levels of expertise from enamel students to professional level enamellers.
The aim of the British Society of Enamellers is to promote the highest standards of contemporary design and workmanship in all aspects of this exciting medium.

Featured image: Charlotte Smith, In the Pink Brooch

The RBSA Gallery is open. Visit us Tuesday – Saturday. Opening hours are 10.30am – 5.00pm.

The art of portraiture dates back at least 5,000 years to ancient Egypt and, up until the invention of photography, was the only way to capture a person’s likeness. Throughout history, portraits have been used as a tool for demonstrating the sitter’s status and importance, as well as to assert dominance over subjects and enemies. However, portraiture and, in particular, self-portraiture, is not always representational but instead may employ abstraction or symbolism to reveal more than just the physical appearance of the subject.
The RBSA Portrait Prize exhibition gives artists working in any medium the opportunity to exhibit their work and win prizes. This year, the RBSA was delighted to extend the scope of the exhibition to include photography and digital artwork.

This year’s exhibition was selected by:

John Devane, RBSA Honorary Professor of Painting; Professor of Painting, Centre of Arts, Memories and Communications, Coventry University
Marta Kochanek, multi-award winning photography artist
Professor Jennifer Powell, Director of The Barber Institute of Fine Arts

The following prizes will be awarded:

First prize £1000 sponsored by GMC
Second prize £500 sponsored by Galliard Apsley Partnership
Third prize £250 sponsored by Judd Medical
Student prize £250 sponsored by RBSA Member
Up to six highly commended certificates will also be awarded

Private View: Tuesday 7 May 6.00 – 8.00pm
Artists’ Talk: Saturday 18 May 2.00 – 3.00pm
Featured image: Stephen Carse, Hoarding Issues

The RBSA Gallery is open. Visit us Tuesday – Saturday. Opening hours are 10.30am – 5.00pm.

This exhibition showcases work by the late sculptor Tom Millard RBSA and practising artist Melanie Keevil.
Tom Millard RBSA gained inspiration for his sculptures and constructions from the natural world, in all its forms and changing seasons. His journey around the southwest coastline, especially where the land meets sea, particularly fascinated him, as did the landscape of the Midlands, the Malvern hills, the locks and canal system, and the crumbling industrial landscape.
Tom was an art educator of students of all ages and he met ceramicist Melanie Keevil when, as a young mum, she volunteered to help with groups of nursery children. Melanie’s sculpture and wall art is also inspired by urban and rural landscapes.
Tom and Melanie’s shared passions of nature and nurture, the human form, and its relationship to the natural world, which subsequently led to the first of their joint exhibitions in 2010. Two further collaborative exhibitions followed, with Tom and Melanie’s artistic relationship continuing through to the end of his life. Tom Millard was a member of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists for over 20 years and sadly passed away in November 2023.

Featured image: Tom Millard and Melanie Keevil

The RBSA Gallery is open. Visit us Tuesday – Saturday. Opening hours are 10.30am – 5.00pm.

The art of portraiture dates back at least 5,000 years to ancient Egypt and, up until the invention of photography, was the only way to capture a person’s likeness. Throughout history, portraits have been used as a tool for demonstrating the sitter’s status and importance, as well as to assert dominance over subjects and enemies. However, portraiture and, in particular, self-portraiture, is not always representational but instead may employ abstraction or symbolism to reveal more than just the physical appearance of the subject.
The RBSA Portrait Prize exhibition gives artists working in any medium the opportunity to exhibit their work and win prizes. This year, the RBSA was delighted to extend the scope of the exhibition to include photography and digital artwork.

This year’s exhibition was selected by:

John Devane, RBSA Honorary Professor of Painting; Professor of Painting, Centre of Arts, Memories and Communications, Coventry University
Marta Kochanek, multi-award winning photography artist
Professor Jennifer Powell, Director of The Barber Institute of Fine Arts

The following prizes will be awarded:

First prize £1000 sponsored by GMC
Second prize £500 sponsored by Galliard Apsley Partnership
Third prize £250 sponsored by Judd Medical
Student prize £250 sponsored by RBSA Member
Up to six highly commended certificates will also be awarded

Private View: Tuesday 7 May 6.00 – 8.00pm
Artists’ Talk: Saturday 18 May 2.00 – 3.00pm
Featured image: Stephen Carse, Hoarding Issues

The RBSA Gallery is open. Visit us Tuesday – Saturday. Opening hours are 10.30am – 5.00pm.

This exhibition showcases work by the late sculptor Tom Millard RBSA and practising artist Melanie Keevil.
Tom Millard RBSA gained inspiration for his sculptures and constructions from the natural world, in all its forms and changing seasons. His journey around the southwest coastline, especially where the land meets sea, particularly fascinated him, as did the landscape of the Midlands, the Malvern hills, the locks and canal system, and the crumbling industrial landscape.
Tom was an art educator of students of all ages and he met ceramicist Melanie Keevil when, as a young mum, she volunteered to help with groups of nursery children. Melanie’s sculpture and wall art is also inspired by urban and rural landscapes.
Tom and Melanie’s shared passions of nature and nurture, the human form, and its relationship to the natural world, which subsequently led to the first of their joint exhibitions in 2010. Two further collaborative exhibitions followed, with Tom and Melanie’s artistic relationship continuing through to the end of his life. Tom Millard was a member of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists for over 20 years and sadly passed away in November 2023.

Featured image: Tom Millard and Melanie Keevil

The RBSA Gallery is open. Visit us Tuesday – Saturday. Opening hours are 10.30am – 5.00pm.