Royal
Academy
of Arts Burlington House
Piccadilly
London W1J OBD
Tel: 020 7300 8000
Fax: 020 7300 8001
www.royalacademy.org.uk Press
Release
W/ C 9th
May 2005
MATISSE,
HIS ART AND HIS TEXTILES THE SACKLER WING OF GALLERIES
The Fabric of Dreams
Sponsored by Farrow & Ball
5 March – 30 May 2005
Textiles were a primary source of inspiration to Matisse throughout
his life. His collection of fabrics, carpets and costumes, packed away
unseen for half a century since his death, will provide the core of
this exhibition. Brought up in Le Cateau-Cambrésis, a textile
town famous for its luxury fabrics, Matisse grew up surrounded by shimmering
cloths. He started collecting fabrics from a young age, going on to
create an extraordinary collection of textiles from all over the world,
from French toile de Jouy to Persian carpets, African wall-hangings
and Moroccan embroideries and jackets. He referred to this collection
as his ‘working library’, which provided the springboard
for the densely patterned, richly coloured paintings that came to encapsulate
his unique style. They would appear as outfits draped over models, or
as backdrops behind them, becoming part of the actual fabric of his
painting. This theatrical and visually exciting installation will juxtapose
a selection of the fabrics and costumes owned by Matisse with some 30
of his paintings and a number of drawings and prints to which they relate.
Reflecting the colours, patterns and textures of the fabrics, it will
offer a unique insight into the way Matisse’s visual imagination
was fired.
Admission
prices: £8.00 full charge; £7.00 60 years+ and registered
disabled; £6.00 NUS; £3.00 12-18 years and Income Support;
£2.00 8-11 years; 7 and under free
C.R.
COCKERELL RA: THE PROFESSOR’S DREAM TENNANT ROOM
2 April – 25 September 2005
Charles Robert Cockerell (1788–1863) was one of the most talented
British architects of his generation, as well as an archaeologist and
teacher. He was Professor of Architecture at the RA Schools from 1839
to 1859, and this display will explore the great contribution he made
to the training of architects in this country. Five watercolour reconstructions
of ancient Roman buildings, which Cockerell used as teaching aids, will
be hung alongside a selection of the architectural plaster-casts were
originally displayed in the schools. Display cases will house manuscripts
of Cockerell’s lectures and examples of work by his students.
ROYAL
ACADEMY COLLECTION THE JOHN MADEJSKI FINE ROOMS
Ongoing
Hidden behind closed doors for two centuries, Burlington House’s
splendid suite of Fine Rooms has been restored to its former glory as
an exceptional example of Neo-Palladian architecture. Named in recognition
of a major donation towards their renovation by John Madejski, the suite
of six rooms provides a spectacular backdrop to display highlights from
the Royal Academy’s Collection. A little-known national treasure,
the Collection focuses predominantly on British art, architecture and
sculpture from the 18th century to the present day, and includes works
by renowned British painters such as Reynolds, Gainsborough, Turner,
Stanley Spencer and David Hockney. The inaugural display, on show until
2005, highlights key moments in the history of the RA and its Collection
and includes paintings and oil sketches by Constable.
Admission free
Open 1-4.30pm Tuesday-Friday, 10am-6pm Saturday and Sunday (Closed Mondays)
FRIENDS
ROOM EXHIBITION FRIENDS ROOM
Paintings in Hospitals
9 March – 16 June 2005
The charity Paintings in Hospitals (PiH) will be exhibiting selected
works by Royal Academicians from its permanent collection, together
with a newly commissioned portfolio of prints by six Royal Academicians
that will be sold to raise funds for further development of the PiH
collection. Artists represented include Norman Ackroyd, Sir Peter Blake,
Eileen Cooper, John Hoyland, Tom Phillips and Chris Orr.
* The Sir
Hugh Casson Room for Friends of the Royal Academy is open to the public
from 4pm – 6pm daily. Admission free.
GENERAL:
The RA is open daily from 10am – 6pm and until 10pm on Fridays.
Tickets are available daily at the RA. To book tickets in advance please
tel: 0870 126 0268 or visit www.royalacademy.org.uk. Groups of 10 or
more are asked to book in advance; please tel: 020 7300 5995, fax: 020
7300 5781 or email: groupbookings@royalacademy.org.uk
FOR PUBLIC
INFORMATION PLEASE PRINT: 020 7300 8000 and www.royalacademy.org.uk
Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J OBD
26/11/04