The very first artist to submit their work to the Rochester Literature Festival exhibition ‘Other Worlds, Other Voices’ has been selected to exhibit at a prestigious London event by the Society of Graphic Fine Art.
Glenn ‘FITZY’ Fitzpatrick, an artist based in Canterbury, has been selected for DRAW 13, the 92nd Annual Open Exhibition of the Society of Graphic Fine Art (SGFA). The exhibition, which will run from 30th September to 12th October at the Menier Gallery in London, will be officially opened by Tim Lihoreau, Creative Director of the radio station Classic FM.
The SGFA is the only national art society dedicated exclusively to drawing. This year’s exhibition attracted submissions from artists across the UK and Europe. 219 works of art by both members and non-members made the final selection. Traditional and contemporary drawing techniques will be on display in a wide range media; from etching and aquatint to charcoal and sgraffito. The scale of the Menier Gallery gives scope to hang works in a range of sizes from the tiny 6 by 4 inch lino cut, to an oak panel with egg tempera and gilding at 65 inches tall. Society members will give free talks and demonstrations during the exhibition.
Fitzy, a Gulf War Veteran 1991, started drawing images on tanks, icons of identity and luck. After leaving the army he pursued an art career and finished art school with an M.A. in Fine Art (2001). Since then his choice of weapon is pen, a medium he can utilise with great intricacy, creating highly engaging artworks that command both distance and close proximity for viewing, allowing the voyeur to discover drawings within drawings which always reveals a different narrative to the first encounter.
The SGFA was established in 1919 to promote good drawing and draughtsmanship. An early President was Sir Frank Brangwyn. Past members include Dame Laura Knight, and both Ronald Searle and the painter-printmaker John Piper exhibited with the Society. Honorary members today include Royal Academician Professor Ken Howard OBE, the award-winning illustrator, Victor Ambrus, and Ronald Maddox, President of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour. The Society’s members work in both traditional and contemporary styles, in all drawing and printmaking media. Membership elections are held twice each year, with applicants submitting a portfolio of their artwork. The Society organizes local and regional events throughout the year, culminating in an annual open exhibition in London.
Jaye Nolan 