Tim Shaw Winter Newsletter 2020

TIM SHAW WINTER NEWSLETTER 2020

Royal Academy Summer Exhibition

Image Credit: Guy Bell/Rex/Shutterstock & The Guardian

HEAD II

On display at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, which is taking place in Winter for the first time ever, HEAD II has been gaining attention. Articles in the Guardian, Evening Standard and numerous online publications have picked it out as an exhibition favourite.

The origins of this piece can be found in Tim's earlier work, entitled Middle World which was inspired by the medieval architecture of Cathédrale Saint-Gatien in Tours. There was a cathedral-like stillness to lockdown, during which many of us stopped to reassess what is important. Tim worked on HEAD II over many months, refining the form in an almost meditative repetition to cast into bronze. There is strength in quiet contemplation, and HEAD II reflects the contemplation we have engaged in this year.

Finding The Mummers

THE MUMMERS' TONGUE GOES WHORING AMONGST THE PEOPLE.
FIGURES I - IV

These bronze figures are inspired by Tim's visits to watch The Armagh Rhymers perform on St. Stephens Day in Northern Ireland and their millennia-old folk custom of mumming. Mysterious and pagan in their appearance, masked mummers can still be found today, travelling, performing and connecting communities through annual rituals.

Contrary to what was intended, The Mummers have been placed in different locations in the Royal Academy, if you manage to attend in person you may enjoy finding all four of The Mummers.

#findingthemummers

Taking Back Control

TAKING BACK CONTROL

This figure was originally inspired by the Greek mythology of Silenus, tutor to the wine-god Dionysus. Old, balding, pot bellied and half human, it was said that he was a prophetic storyteller when intoxicated. It was intended to be the last figure that would adjoin The Rites of Dionysus, a major multi-figure installation at the Eden Project, that was never shown.

Silenus was later created in foam, acquired by the David Roberts Foundation and exhibited in East London with the Goldfish Gallery, now Anima Mundi. A man wielding a baseball bat smashed it to pieces, the vandal took off yelling "you are worshiping the wrong god!".

Silenus has re-emerged as a small bronze figure, who is taking back control by poking fun at the powers that be and at the empty rhetoric of political slogans.

DON'T EAT THE FUCKING BATS!

This collage was made on 1 June, which usually marks the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition’s Varnishing Day. Historically, artists would gather on this day to add finishing touches to their work and celebrate the start of the exhibition. For the first time in 252 years, Varnishing Day did not occur. In its place, Royal Academicians have collaborated on a historic portfolio of 100 artworks that document the strange disruption of 2020 - Don’t Eat The Fucking Bats! is included in the portfolio.

Varnishing Day: a Moment in Time is exclusively available to Friends of the Royal Academy. Don’t Eat The Fucking Bats! is also availible as a limited edition print on archival paper.

Visit The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition Online

BUY AN ARTWORK AND DIRECTLY SUPPORT ARTISTS AND THE RA
SUMMER EXHIBITION 6 OCT 2020 - 3 JAN 2021

Discover a myriad of works online by household names and emerging artists inside this joyous festival of art. If art has taught us anything over the past months, it is that it can act as a global symbol of hope, offer individual moments of solace, and create much-needed daily distractions from the enormity of our new situation.

Income from the Summer Exhibition supports both the exhibiting artists and the not-for-profit work of the RA. That means by buying an artwork, you are helping to champion artists – from training the next generation for free in the RA Schools, to outreach work with teachers, children, and local communities. As a charity without government funding, support is more important this year than ever.

In line with government guidance, the Royal Academy of Arts is currently closed. As soon as restrictions are lifted, the RA is planning to reopen on the 3rd of December. To move tickets to future dates, please contact The Royal Academy on 0207 300 8090 or tickets@royalacademy.org.uk. Alternatively, support the RA by donating the cost of your exhibition ticket.

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Copyright © 2020 TIM SHAW, All rights reserved.
Written by Claire English, Tim Shaw Studio Manager
WINTER NEWSLETTER 2020

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Tim Shaw · Chyglidden · Higher Spargo Farm · Mabe, Cornwall TR10 9JQ · United Kingdom

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