A DISPLAY of shortlisted work from the UK’s leading drawing exhibition next month is hoped to inspire Islanders to pick up their pencils and create their own original art.
The exhibition from the annual Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize, widely regarded as the British Isles’ most prestigious drawing prize, is being shown in Jersey for the first time as part of a six-week focus on the art of drawing.
Impetus for the show comes from ArtHouse Jersey’s producer Laura Hudson – herself a prizewinner in 2018 – who has been instrumental in bringing the exhibition to the Island. She said ArtHouse Jersey was delighted to have secured the collection of 120 works, which will be accompanied by a diverse programme of workshops, masterclasses and events for artists and the wider community.
‘[French poet artist and filmmaker Jean] Cocteau suggested a medium will only become an art form once its materials are as cheap as pencil and paper. Drawing is our first art form. The marks we make on a simple surface are individual and yet collective.
‘Drawing takes us back to the very first marks we made 45,000 years ago, and is the thread that connects us from the past to the present,’ she said.
The exhibition, which will be shown at the Capital House gallery from Friday 10 February to Sunday 26 March, brings together the work of diverse artists across the United Kingdom and internationally, providing fascinating insights into drawing and creative practice in all its forms, from architecture to performance and sculpture to painting.
Formerly known at the Jerwood Drawing Prize, the competition was founded by artist Professor Anita Taylor, dean of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design at the University of Dundee and director of Drawing Projects UK. She will be guest of honour at the exhibition’s opening night.
Other visiting artists include 2022 prize winners Eisa Alaluusua and Gemma Thompson, as well as Polly Bennet, who will be artist in residence at ArtHouse Jersey from 16 to 24 March, exploring the pigments that can be made from natural resources in the Island.
A detailed programme of talks, workshops and other supporting events is available on the ArtHouse Jersey website along with booking details and links.
As part of the exhibition period and as an additional celebration of the art of drawing, ArtHouse Jersey will be partnering with local charities to offer a five-week online drawing challenge encouraging all Islanders to take part.
Each Friday from 17 February a fresh drawing theme will be announced that will be related to the core work and focus of a local charity, with people across the Island encouraged to take a break from digital life and engage in the calming and meditative practice of drawing at home. Participants will be asked to post their drawings on their social media accounts using the hashtag #islanddrawingchallenge23 while tagging ArtHouse Jersey and the charity of the week. ArtHouse Jersey will share a selection of submissions online each week with the dual objectives of encouraging more people to enjoy drawing and helping shine a light on the work of the selected charity.
