There are several interesting galleries in London that specialise in drawing as contemporary practice. One such space is the Centre for Recent Drawing; tucked around the corner from Highbury Islington station. Since 2004 C4RD has provided a public exhibition space and exhibition series that is independent and non-commercial, and is a member of the Museum Association of the UK
It exhibits a broad variety of drawing practice throughout the year and also hosts residencies specifically designed for those for whom drawing is a core part of their practice. Interestingly, a recent resident artist was Greig Burgoyne, who teaches on the BA Fine Course at UCA Farnham (I shall talk more about his residency in my next post).
C4RD is directed by Andrew Hewish who has a clear vision on the role of drawing within the creative disciplines:
‘Drawing as an approach is regaining the importance it once had as a way of thinking or acting that is fundamental to the human experience. It is being considered less as a particular use of materials or sub-activity of a particular discipline, and more as an approach discrete in itself. Drawing defined as the exercise of the imagination or mind on line reinforces drawing’s capacity as a performed analogy (mentally/manually) of the continuum that is human consciousness; two marks, as in mathematics, necessarily make a line. Drawing is essentially a connective understanding; between the eye, the hand, and the mind.’
‘C4RD’s purpose is to make space for drawing – to maintain the visibility of a characteristically humanist approach that is drawing – in the encouragement and refinement of understanding of drawing, the arts and society at large can benefit. C4RD seeks to facilitate access and dialogue for current drawing practice independent of structural forces in commercial and institutional settings.’
For more information on the space and their exhibition program visit their website: www.c4rd.org.uk
Their next exhibition showcases a group of ten drawings by Carmel Buckley under the title of Double Takes. Buckley’s drawings are based on the illustrators Harry Clarke, Kay Nielson and J-J. Grandville. Exhibition runs from 4th – 28th October with the opening reception on 3rd October 6-9pm.
kakestreet 