Automotive art has developed to reflect the flourishing variety of artistic styles. The motor car is always the focus of the artwork, yet so much more is now incorporated as will be shown in the wonderful paintings to be exhibited in the Royal Automobile Club’s Art of Motoring Exhibition. This year is no exception with leading artists and sculptors showing off their wonderful skills and imagination in this annual event.
The Art of Motoring Exhibition will include the work of some fifteen artists at the Royal Opera Arcade Gallery at 5b Pall Mall, just a stone’s throw from the Club’s Pall Mall premises, from Monday 31 October until Saturday 5 November2016. The exhibition is free to attend.
This year is the 40th anniversary of James Hunt’s 1976 Formula 1 World Championship victory. To commemorate this anniversary, award-winning artist Jeremy Houghton was commissioned by the James Hunt Foundation to produce an official collection of 10 paintings depicting each of the races that Hunt won that year. These paintings will form a special feature to the iconic racing driver.
Displayed over the two floors of the gallery will also be paintings by many of Britain’s leading motoring artists including the following:
John Ketchell – Has an immediately recognizable, semi-abstract style
Richard Wheatland – Richard’s paintings grace collections worldwide and are much admired for their high level of accuracy and meticulously researched technical and historical details
Rob Ijbema – Rob’s works are known for their emphasis on atmosphere, light and movement
Barry Rowe – Brings atmosphere and interaction with his motoring artworks
Geoff Bolam – Utilizes aluminium bodywork as a background for his creations
Roy Putt – Celebrates bygone days in motoring bringing a true vision of nostalgia into his artworks
Tim Layzell – Tim has two distinct art styles, one reflecting the unique tones of colour photography of the 1950s and early 1960s. The other, his ‘pop art’ style with solid blocks of colour and strong black lines
Peter Hearsey – Peter is one of a handful of automotive artists producing etchings
Joel Clark – Brings new ways to present colours, shapes and patterns in vinyl
Jonathan Carter– Also known as Joff uses a loose, painted background on to which he layers a virtual collage of hand-drawn imagery, vignettes and snippets of memorabilia, creating storied pieces that reveal a little more with every closer inspection. To finish he works into the piece with a variety of media, from oil to pastel, pencil and charcoal.
Graham Bosworth– Graham was born in Coventry in the heart of the motor industry and grew up with a passionate interest in the motor car and motor sport. This ultimately led to his career as a freelance artist, illustrator and graphic designer – and in recent years has concentrated on painting. Working in both oils and water colours and gouache he incorporates attention to technical detail in his paintings.
Gary Whinn – Blending the traditions of automotive and figurative art, Gary’s paintings frequently dramatize romantic scenarios played out against a backdrop of iconic cars
London Motor Week is presented by the Royal Automobile Club and runs from Monday 31 October until Sunday 6 November 2016, culminating in the world famous Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run supported by Hiscox. Other events include:
Monday 31 October: Royal College of Art – Design Presentation Evening
Tuesday 1 November: Royal Automobile Club Motoring Lectures
Tuesday 1 November: Art of Motoring Exhibition private viewing
Wednesday 2 November: Motoring Book of the Year Award
Thursday 3 November: Royal Automobile Club Motoring Forum
Friday 4 November: Bonhams Auction
Saturday 5 November: Regent Street Motor Show
Sunday 6 November: Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run supported by Hiscox