ROYAL INSTITUTE OF PAINTERS IN WATER COLOURSHigh Watermark 2009
The RI and RWS Join Forces
High Watermark 2009 at the Mall Galleries
The Best Watercolour Painters in the World
This, the first combined exhibition between the two leading English watercolour societies in 178 years, was a brilliant success. Crossing boundaries established almost two centuries ago, bringing together the best watercolour painters in the world, spanning two galleries and, some would say even more amazingly, linking North and South London, the exhibition was the culmination of more than a decade of discussion and negotiation.
Different Strokes
Exactly the same collection of works by the leading watercolour painters of today looked so very different in the different venues. South of the Thames the Bankside was intimate and friendly with the paintings in close proximity to each other and most definitely in a spirit of comradeship, not competition. On the other side of the river the Mall Galleries spacious rooms gave the paintings a chance to breathe and be seen as individual pieces while retaining the sense of combined purpose so strongly felt at the Bankside. Both receptions were opened by The President of the RI, Ronald Maddox; at the Bankside Gallery the RWS was represented by the President David Paskett and at the Mall Galleries by Trevor Frankland PPRWS.
Major Press Coverage
Sales were good. August is usually a poor month for selling paintings in London but, after a slow start at the Bankside, people began to buy the work in droves when the exhibition transferred to the Mall Galleries. Also press interest increased as the show progressed. The Times featured major coverage of the exhibition and it was filmed by BBCTV. Also a documentary was made by SkyTV for broadcast at a later date. Although the architects of this revolution remained calm and relaxed there was a palpable sense of history being made and a heady spirit of joint endeavour. It is a new beginning that promises an exciting and cooperative future for us all.
Hanging the exhibition at the Mall Galleries
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Mall Galleries
19 to 28 August 2009Click here to view some of the paintings from the show
Trevor Frankland PPRWS and Ronald Maddox PRI welcome the exhibition to the Mall Galleries
The Private View at the Bankside Gallery
In conversation at the Mall Galleries
Viewing some of the paintings
The exhibition at the Bankside Gallery
The exhibition at the Mall Galleries