Let there be art

On Teddington High Street there is a commercial gallery with the name, 'But is it art?' - its windows filled with colourful but unchallenging oils that would have no one spluttering into their pint of local golden ale (a brew called ‘Naked Lady’). 

Carry on past, and you come to the Landmark Arts Centre, a former church which this week hosted the 64th annual exhibition of the Law Society’s Art Group. Thankfully there is more artistic thought on show here. 

Ruth Munby’s pastel works are very well drawn and seem to pose questions. In ‘The Birthday Party’ a Pierrot stands sentinel over a conventional family scene - a visitant. Why is he there? 

Gerald Bates’ deliberately naive oils draw on the St Ives School. Sea is a preoccupation, but in ‘Dog Watch’ what news is the hound imparting to the man? 

Richard Davidson’s oil ‘Nastursiums’ have a clarity and depth of colour that was apparent online, a promise that delivers in-person.

Gary Freer’s nude life drawings are deft, spare lines, capturing the bearing, stretch and sag of human flesh with admirable economy. 

Rosemary Millar’s ‘Flower Power’ is a very pleasing water colour sketch, which will have you craving pansies. 

‘The Dining Room’ by Jennifer Tovey is a subtle study in pastel-hued oils, with a sad inter-war atmosphere. 

Darker works include David Fraser’s large mixed media ‘Burghers of Brompton’, depicting Rodin’s famous Calais group against a dark, stark tomb. 

There appear to be fewer 3D works than in previous years, but Jane Hinde’s bust ‘Malcolm’ is a sensitive work in clay.

It is an established tradition for the Gazette, using no special expertise, to tip some possible winners ahead of the exhibition being judged. 

Favourites this year include Ruth Munby’s ‘Jokerman’ (acrylic and pastel), which incorporates verse into a beautifully drawn fantasy scene.  Louise Sweet’s ‘Risk’ should be a contender, not least in a law-linked show. Dark figures with faces aghast and clawing hands negotiate an indistinct yet dystopian landscape. 

Another dark but good piece is Jane Hinde’s monoprint ‘Untitled’ - an elegant but rough hewn face with crosses for eyes. 

Gary Freer’s life drawing ‘Spanish dancer’ is very good. 

It was hard to judge the size of Maria Menoli’s ‘Sunset on the rolling hills of Tuscany’ viewed online. Seen in real life, it is smaller than expected, which concentrates its careful carelessness and vibrancy. It is completely charming, and, if one has to choose, a winner.

The Art Group is one of the oldest associations linked to the Law Society. The chair tells me this year’s exhibition has attracted new members. I know they would love to hear from you - why not dig out some paper and a pencil and get in touch?

The exhibition runs from 11-16 June at The Landmark Arts Centre, Ferry Road, Teddington, south-west London. It can be viewed weekdays 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-1pm. For more details, see: Next Exhibition – Annual Exhibition 2024 – Law Society Art Group.