Tag: Exhibitions

Now for something a little different

I mentioned in a post a few weeks ago that I was very pleased to have had 2 images selected for the RPS Annual Members Exhibition, which is currently on in Bristol. Myself and 2 guests were invited to the private view a week ago and although a little nervous, I traipsed along with my daughter and one of my granddaughters. Nervous because although I exhibited work along with peers on a degree course we all took part in a few years ago but I have never exhibited work on a national stage before and I wasn’t sure how my images would stand up against all the other, much more accomplished photographers there.

Well I needn’t have worried, my 2 cyanotypes certainly held their own. There was only one other cyanotype on display and I would say that mine was far superior, not that I am biased at all! I really liked the way they were curated. printed at A3 with white borders in simple black frames and alongside other works of complementary colours.

I am glad of one thing and that is that I had submitted my work for this exhibition before the camera club competition mentioned in my previous post. If it had been the other way around and I had listened to the ramblings of the camera club judge, I would never have submitted them.

Hydrangea Seedhead and Allium seedhead wet cyanotypes with added vinegar, turmeric and soap bubbles on display at the RPS Summer Exhibition in Bristol from 1st July to 28th August 2023.

RPS Annual Members Exhibition 2023

Having been a member of the RPS for some years, I always get the annual email through inviting me to submit for the annual members’ exhibition and each year I ignore it. No reason other than I never think I have anything worth submitting and never really get round to doing anything about it. Over the last few years however I have really enjoyed experimenting with cyanotypes, particularly the wet process as you never quite know what you’re going to get and this time, when the email came in, I thought, why not? I submitted 5 cyanotype images, all of which camera club judges had been scathing about, but the RPS really does seem to be embracing alternative processes. I mentioned in an earlier post the exhibition I visited back in November and I also know that last year, a panel of cyanotypes was awarded an ARPS distinction, so I uploaded the images and then forgot about it.

Then, surprise, surprise, in April, I had an email advising me the that some of my images had been selected for the exhibition. I wasn’t told at this point which ones. I was asked not to announce my success on social media yet, and then nothing for another month or so. Then, towards the end of May, I had confirmation about which images had been selected along with a request for high resolution images and more information and here they are.

To say I was delighted is an understatement. 3500 entries and I have two of the 80 selected.

The RPS Summer Exhibition opens on 1st July and runs to 31st August 2023 at:

RPS House
337-340 Paintworks
Arnos Vale
Bristol
BS4 3AR

https://rps.org/se