Gibraltar Decorative and Fine Arts Society NEWSLETTER This months lecture Abstract Expressionism: From the Sublime to the Political October 2015 Chairman s Message This months Lecture Upcoming Lectures & Events Lecture Programme
C H A I R M A N S M E S S A G E Dear Members, Visitors, Sponsors and Friends With Summer behind us and Autumn already upon us a new season of lectures beckons and, as always, we have an exciting and diverse Programme to offer you. Following an action packed last season we are starting the next eight months with a bang and October is going to be a very busy month for your committee! We look forward to seeing old faces and welcoming new ones at the first lecture on Wednesday 21st October 2015 when Linda Smith returns to us to talk about Abstract Expressionism: From the Sublime to the Political. This month we are once again indebted to our sponsor. Mr. Solomon Seruya was an art lover and was a strong supporter of the Gibraltar Decorative and Fine Arts Society from the very beginning. He wanted to continue being with us and before his passing make sure the opening lecture would be his to sponsor. We are very pleased to welcome to our first lecture the NADFAS CEO Florian Schweizer, who will give a small introductry speech. He will also help to celebrate the 10th Anniversary season of our sister society at a Black Tie Dinner being held at Real Club de Golf Valderrama on Thursday 22nd October. They will also be welcoming the NADFAS Chairman June Robinson, Now for my regular reminder for those of our members who have yet to renew their Membership for this season. You can do so up to our first lecture on the 21st October and, after that date, memberships that have not been renewed will be deemed to have lapsed. Yours in Art, Claus Olesen This season s sponsors The Late Hon. Solomon Seruya OBE
this months lecture ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM: From the Sublime to the Political Wednesday 21 October 2015 Welcome 6.30 pm Lecture 7.30 pm Venue: O Callaghan Eliott Hotel We welcome the return of NADFAS lecturer Linda Smith. World War Two caused the global centre of gravity for modern art to shift to New York. This talk looks at the emergence of American Abstract Expressionism as the dominant style of the period, and the role it came to play in the Cold War. This is definitely a date to put in your diaries! Linda Smith is a highly qualified Art Historian with particular knowledge and interest in British Art and the art of the twentieth century. In her MA at Birkbeck she specialised in Post-Modernism. An experienced guide and lecturer at Tate Britain, Tate Modern and the Dulwich Picture Gallery, she lectures to secondary school audiences and independent arts societies. This months sponsor The Late Hon. Solomon Seruya OBE
upcoming LECTURES & EVENTS Do you want to know how Abstract Expressionism became a dominant style of art in America from the end of World War II to the early 1960s? Have you ever wondered about the treasures found in Tutankhamun s tomb or wanted to know more about Art Deco and the age of Jazz? What about Goya, sumptuous textiles from India, Fabergé eggs, the collections of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert or Pop Art through the eyes of Warhol and Dylan! Our season of eight monthly lectures starts on Wednesday 21st October. Held at the San Roque Golf & Country Club at 11 am, visitors are welcome for a fee of 12 on the door and can join us for a complimentary glass of wine after the lecture. Programme of trips and events. This is arranged by our sister society but available to GibDFAS members also. If you are interested in booking any of the trips or events below, please see Lizzie Gould after the first lecture or contact her via email by clicking on this link. November 12th - Jerez visit to Palace Campo Real This is a fantastic opportunity to visit Palacio de Campo Real, privately owned by Manuel Alfonso de Domecq, in the historic centre of Jerez. The original building dates from 1545 and the current neo-classical style façade was built in 1785. The beautiful palace has many art treasures including paintings, tapestries, silver and sculptures. We will have a guided tour of the palace and refreshments. This will be followed by a tapas lunch with wine at a stylish restaurant in Jerez. There will be free time after lunch for shopping, sightseeing or just enjoying some sherry. Price: 65 per person
upcoming Lectures & Events continued 3rd December - Malaga Christmas Lights and CAC Visit Our annual trip to see the Christmas lights will this year include a visit to CAC Malaga a modern art centre exhibiting works by international and up and coming Spanish artists. We will take a tour through artistic movements and trends of the 20th century, including Louise Bourgeois, Olafur, Eliasson and Damian Hirst. In addition we will see the first showing in Spain of Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads by the Chinese artist Ai Wei Wei. The exhibition features 12 bronze sculptures over 3 metres tall that represent the heads of animals in the Chinese zodiac. There will be time for shopping as well as seeing the lights. We will also once again visit La Plaza restaurant for tapas and wine. Price: 50 per person to include transport and tapas with drinks. Writing Club DFAS de la Frontera s affiliated writing group reconvened September 2015. We meet the second Thursday of the month at Milla de Plata in Torreguadiaro from 6.30 8.30 pm in the tapas area, overlooking the sea. It is free to attend and all are welcome. Anyone who enjoys writing fiction or creative non fiction, who would like to meet with other like-minded folk, amateur and professional, please give it a try. It is not even necessary to read out your own work, if you like something you ve read, bring it along, read it out and say what attracted you. (15 minutes for reading and comments). It s fun and well worth attending. Our next writing workshop is Weds Oct 28th: Writing Subtext: conflict beneath the surface. Check out our blog web site for further info by clicking on this link: Sotogrande Writers Painting Group The Art Group is so keen that we meet up every Friday between 10am and 1pm at the Milla de Plata Hotel in Torreguadiaro. It is possible to arrive earlier or stay later, and it is not necessary to stay for the whole 3 hours if that doesn t suit you. Help is available if required, but mostly people just paint, or sketch, in a positive and mutually supportive environment. It s a great opportunity for you to carve out a few hours for yourself to dedicate to you and your work. Somehow it doesn t always get done when in the normal home environment. (Mmmm, funny how life gets in the way.) This season, talking of life, we plan to offer workshops...from life drawing to lithographic prints. Do join us! Just a reminder that it is possible to pay membership at the first lecture of the Season in October if you have not done so already. Our Membership Secretary has sent an email advising of membership renewal. If you have any questions regarding membership, please contact Sarah Beckwith, at beckers@btinternet.co.uk
Lecture Programme 2015-16 21 October 2015 Abstract Expressionism: From the Sublime to the Political 18 November 2015 Wonderful Things Tutankhamen s Tomb & Treasurers 9 December 2015 Art Deco 20 January 2016 GOYA a painter looks at 17 February 2016 The Sumptuous World of Indian Textiles from Punjab to Bengal & The Coromandel Coast 16 March The Imperial Easter Eggs of Carl Faberge Before the Revolution 20 April 2016 Queen Victoria and Prince Albert: Patrons of the Arts, Art Collectors and Artists 18 May 2016 John Everett Millais: The Pre-Raphaelites and After Facebook and Twitter Just have a look. Like. Share. Comment etc. To find our Facebook page, type Gib DFAS. TWITTER to find our Twitter account, search for GibDFAS. And why not give our QR code a try.