Rye area artists delight with annual exhibition

The well established society, which has existed for 62 years, draws its membership from within a 15 mile radius of Rye and brings together local artists whose reputations are in some cases truly international.

The lower gallery is dominated by a large and imposing picture of a golden head, the work of Dave McKean, filmmaker and graphic novelist. In the middle room are two beautiful oil paintings by Fred Cumming, hot on the heals of his success at the Royal Academy Summer Show where he is a senior academician. In the upper gallery there is a wonderful series of photographs by Peter Greenhalf who is breathing new life into an old method of printing photographs.

Stuart Chester, one of the newest members, has some fine nautically inspired sculptures. Ceramics are as strong as ever with an interesting departure from Steve Duffy whose hand crafted bowls have broad decoration looking more like watercolour.

Matt Hardman, one of the RSA’s younger members, seems to increase in confidence each year and if the red dots are an indication, in popularity too.

There is strong work by Gus Cummins RA, Louis Turpin, Richard Adams, Hazel Brook and Michael B White to name just a few – all in all an exhibition not to be missed.

The exhibition runs until Friday August 30 and is open seven days a week 10.30am – 5.30pm.