A contemporary Exhibition Space showcasing new and experimental work from established and emerging artists. SVAF also actively promotes and engages with artists’ collaboration projects and formulate interactive community, school and University projects in the Gallery.
Rosalind Barker MA and Susan Evans MFA with the members of the Sevenoaks Visual Arts Forum, run The KCC Sevenoaks Kaleidoscope Art Gallery as an artist led space.The forum is based at the Gallery.
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Sevenoaks Kaleidoscope Art Gallery
RAY ATKINS
A PAINTER’S ODYSSEY
ONE OF THE MAJOR ARTISTS OF HIS GENERATION
16 January – 8 February 2025
Private View Thursday 16 January 6 – 7:30
Join us for refreshments and a first view of A Painter’s Odyssey Ray Atkins solo show
Ray Atkins (b.1937) is – puzzlingly – one of the least well-known figurative painters of his generation. A contemporary of Auerbach and others in The London Group, Ray left London for teaching posts first at Reading University and then Falmouth College of Art. Now living in the French Pyrenees, he is still painting and is the subject of a recent book – ‘A Painter’s Odyssey’ by Peter Davies. Ray has local connections in that he was educated at Sevenoaks School and Bromley College of Art before studying at The Slade.
He works on a huge scale painting ‘en plein air’ and visitors to this exhibition will be stunned by his ability to communicate and delighted by the way his paintings literally jump off the wall and draw you into his subject matter.
“Formal grandeur is rare in art, it has nothing to do with size or vehemence. The slightest Rembrandt drawing has an underlying grandeur; Gwen John has it and so has – I think – Ray Atkins’ work” The late Frank Auerbach’s introduction to ‘A Painter’s Odyssey’.
Full catalogue of UK archive – Ray Atkins UK Catalogue
SEE IT DO IT SHOW IT
Thanks to everyone who visited and contributed to our seasonal arty fun
Your Penguins, Portraits and Snow Flakes are ready to collect on the Mezzanine just outside the Gallery
The Hanging Gardens of Kaleidoscope your SVAF Community Art Project
In deep Winter it is tropical and in full bloom drop into the Mezzanine and explore the Hanging gardens of Kaleidoscope.
The Hanging Gardens of Kaleidoscope our 2024 SVAF Community Project was inspired by
the Jungle paintings of Henry Rousseau. The community has been enthralled by this project and
our thanks go to everyone who has contributed plants, flowers, insects, snakes, animals, birds etc.
The workshops were enthusiastically attended by many families. We owe a big thank you to
lead artists Sarah Cliff and Sue Evans who worked tirelessly with this public facing project
alongside Susanne Beard who led the Kaleidoscope Knit and Natter group, the Otford
Embroidery Club and the Sevenoaks U3A Crochet Group. Also thanks to Sally Eldars who ran
a separate family 3D flower and butterfly workshop.
Now it is time to find your contribution……
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