Art in the City 2024

This October the Painter-Stainers’ Art Society mounted ‘Illusion - the Inquisitive Eye’, a comprehensive exhibition drawn exclusively from the membership of the Company. Staged at the magnificent Painters’ Hall and curated by Livery Company artists, Tim Wright and Tuesday Riddell, with additional critical input from the actor and artist, Timothy Spall, a selection of over seventy pieces was made from a submission of thirty-five artists, craftspeople and decorators. The exhibition featured a wide range of contemporary artistic practice and was specifically designed to display the best examples of artistic excellence within the Company and set a precedent for shows to come.

The theme allowed for a broad interpretation and also gave focus for more literal investigations into trompe-l’oeil and techniques of illusionistic representation. There was, however, an older and more archaic meaning of illusion: descriptive of a dream or reverie that references ‘another world’. Many artists pursued this concept.

In the Court Room a complimentary historical exhibition was run in parallel to that in the Hall. This featured some fascinating pictures and documents relevant to the history of the Company. In addition was the presence of a Madonna and Child painting, a miraculous survival from a wartime concentration camp - a story documented by the popular television programme, The Repair Shop.

Talks and demonstrations were run throughout, which further publicised the activities of the Company. The exhibition was opened with a speech from Timothy Spall, whose comments and encouragement were well received by all.

This was a hugely successful event achieving a remarkably good footfall and positive visibility in the City, its institutions and the world of the arts.

The Painter-Stainers’ Arts Society thanks all exhibitors who participated and gave of their best, and acknowledges the sterling work of all those involved in organising the exhibition.

Tim Wright

December 2024