9:50am Saturday 19th December 2009
By Claire Fox
If you are tired of battling the crowds on the high street in your last-minute search for the perfect present, then why not swap the noisy malls for the tranquility of a gallery, with artwork for sale in three local venues.
In Twickenham, The Practice of Life Drawing, at The Stables Art Gallery, examines the human figure through a variety of artforms including sketching, painting and sculpture.
The exhibition is the work of PRATTS, a Twickenham-based group comprising professional artists, teachers, designers and architects. Originally known as PRATS – Painters of Richmond and Teddington, Surbiton – the group changed to their current name after the death of the notable artists’ model Denis Pratt, better known as Quentin Crisp. Jean Strachan, artist and member of PRATTS, says: “The group has been in existence for more than 15 years, although I have only been with them for five. “They were all students at a life-drawing workshop at Richmond Adult College and, when that workshop had to close, the group decided to stay together.
“Most of the group are retired from commercial art, quite a lot were teachers and one or two don’t have an art background but are people who have drawn or painted most of their lives and enjoy life drawing. It’s quite a cross-section.
“We are now in our sixth venue, meeting weekly at the East Twickenham Neighbourhood Association Building.” The group focuses on life drawing as they believe the human figure to be the most complex and interesting subject for artists. Strachan says: “For me, life drawing is a discipline. Drawing the human figure, particularly unclothed, is quite a challenge and one I enjoy. It is the most difficult kind of drawing there is.” This will be the group’s first major exhibition, with some 20 artists displaying their work, all of it for sale.
Strachan adds: “If you like life drawing, then there is plenty of choice. I am very pleased to be able to show my work and say: ‘Look, this is what I do’.”
The Practice of Life Drawing, The Stables Gallery, Twickenham, until January 10, Free. Call 020 8831 6000 or visit richmond. gov.uk/arts for information
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