SOMETIMES ALWAYS NEVER
4 – 21 June 2025
The Fine Art Practice Development end of year exhibition. FAPD 2024/5
Exhibiting artists: Elaine Almond, Polly Bennett, Rosalind Barker, Peps Barkhan, Stuart Clark, Sarah Cliff, Louisa Crispin, Jenny Dalton, Sue Davis, Margaret Devitt, Louisa Donovan, Di Drummond, Sue Evans, Leila Godden, Cathy Gough, Sonia Griffin, Kate Grimes, Sally Hamilton, Lizzie Hill, Amanda Hopkins, Christine Highland, Chrissie Hunt, Sam King, Elaine Leslie, Jim Marshall, Paula Morgan, Cliona Murphy, Sheila Nash, Hildegard Pax, Marie Pearson, Rosalind Pearson, Deborah Pugh, Frances Rae, Jane Sandoe, Jan Steadman, Clare Summons, Franny Swann, Alison Sweidan, Jenny Thomas, Maria Turner, Katie Whitbread, Birgitta Wilson. Curated by Sam l Herbert.
‘This month sees the conclusion of another successful edition of the Fine Art Development Course (FAPD), now in its third year of partnership with SVAF.
Since September, 48 member artists from across four groups have shared, discussed, and developed their art practices in a supportive critical environment, in sessions which I facilitate.
The group show in June is the visible end point to this journey. It’s worth noting that this isn’t a ‘graduation’ show: the course has no assessment, and a majority of the member artists will be returning to the course again in September. In that respect, this show is a celebration of the commitment, ambition and seriousness of the community of artists currently practicing in the locality.
Every year I give the course a title which is also used for the exhibition. This year I chose ‘Sometimes, Always, Never’. The title is an idea (or set of ideas) that the artist can use in any way they find useful (and this can include ignoring it!).
I first encountered the phrase ‘sometimes, always, never’ as a mnemonic for the correct way to button a jacket (Sometimes=top button, Always=middle button, Never=bottom button). I like how this sequence of words is poised between several possible interpretations: On the one hand it functions as a banal piece of fashion advice, yet on the other, when taken out of context, it reads like an existential statement. I thought this jarring contrast between shallow and deep would offer the member artists a variety of ways to interpret the ‘meaning’ of the title.
With about 50 art works to install, the show was always going to be busy, but, in my role as curator, I wanted to find combinations that make a virtue of that multiplicity and highlight the richness of making work as part of the vibrant FAPD community. My curatorial decisions were made instinctively. In some cases I chose works thatobviously ‘rhyme’, whereas others have been selected because they connect in a less obvious, ineffable way. I hope the resulting combinations form a kind of visual counterpoint where each individual art work contributes to an overall sense of rightness.
Take your time to view this show, there’s a lot of work to see and all of it rewards repeated looking.’
Samuel L. Herbert
FAPD course leader
FAPD In association with The Bridge Art School and Sevenoaks Visual Arts Forum
Follow the current 48 SVAF FAPD artists on Instagram @thebridgeartschool
WEDNESDAY 4 JUNE 6-8 Artist’s in Conversation
Join us for refreshments from 6 and view ‘SOMETIMES, ALWAYS, NEVER’ The 2024/5 Fine Art Practice Development end of year exhibition
From 6:30 the FAPD artists will informally discuss their work and how it has developed during the academic year.
INVITATION to the PREVIEW THURSDAY 5 JUNE 6-8
You are all welcome to join us for drinks at the FAPD PV.
Course leader Sam Herbert will be in the Gallery for this event.
