The 143rd Annual Exhibition. The Mall Galleries. The Mall. London.
Fri 4 Jun-2004 to Sat 12 Jun-2004

It all began with the paintings.
After months of preparation my paintings were finally ready. I had already decided to submit my landscapes for this exhibition. Several months before in March, I had visited a glorious part of Scotland; Loch Rannoch, and fortunately had felt so inspired I was able to produce 3 paintings. I framed and wrapped them and travelled from Chalfont Latimer to London with the paintings all wrapped and ready to be dropped of for selection at The Mall.

Private Viewing and the Opening.
Before the private view the hanging committee had spent many days hanging the paintings. When those of us whose paintings had been accepted arrived at the Opening, the exhibition halls were looking fabulous and our paintings were on display. I must admit it was good to see them on the walls of the Mall Gallery.

I arrived early as I intended to have a full day appreciating the work on display. It was a fabulous fresh London morning as I walked through Admiralty Arch and the sight of The Mall festooned with flags was excellent. All this was actually for the preparation of the Queen's Official Birthday Parade, which was to take place on on the last day of the exhibition. This glorious sunny day began with the changing of the guards ceremony - this alone made the opening day special! Gallery opened 10.00 and The Royal Horse Guards 11.00

HRH Princess Michael of Kent.
As Patron of The Society of Women Artists, the Princess opened the 143rd Annual Exhibition at midday. Prizes were presented to award winners and after a brief speech Princess Michael walked around the exhibition of paintings. Artists and visitors alike enjoyed seeing and speaking to her. The Mall Galleries Exhibition included Paintings and Sculptures by The Society of Women Artists. Exhibiting with the SWA were also pieces by the Royal Society of Miniaturists. It was and is, an exhibition worth visiting and exhibiting in every year. Unfortunately as far as exhibiting goes, living in Poole has made it difficult to enter the SWA Exhibitions. I haven't tried it yet but the logistics of submitting work to London from this distance, could be prohibitive.

The Mall Galleries is one of the few London venues to show the work of well-established British artists alongside that of up-and-coming students and young unknown painters. Opened in 1971 by Her Majesty The Queen the Galleries are run by the Federation of British Artists, which works to educate, inspire and involve the public in the practice of the fine arts. It's a privilege to have any painting hanging in such a stunning gallery space and with work of the standard seen at these exhibitions.




Stewarding during the Exhibition's gave me a chance to meet some extremely talented oil painters and portraitists, and made me aware of the volume of visitors who came through the doors of the Gallery. It was truly amazing. Only in London can your work be seen by such a large, international and varied art appreciating audience. It was one of these visitors who bought one of my paintings; 'Loch Rannoch' painted in Scotland. The icing on the cake would have been meeting her.

Last day of the Exhibition. Saturday 12 June
The Queen's birthday is officially celebrated every June by the Ceremony of Trooping the Colour down the Mall onto the Horse Guards Parade grounds. Trooping the Colour took place on this particular year on Saturday, 12 June at 11.00 a.m. The Colour trooped was by the Queen's 1st Battalion of Grenadier Guards. Nothing could have improved on the impact of this event. We watched the hours long procession as Royal Horse Guards and The Queen, The Duke of Edinburghand members of the Royal family drove past in their carriages; participated in the Trooping of the Colour and then drove back down the Mall towards Buckingham Palace - back for lunch I presumed.

I do enjoy submitting paintings to the Society of Women Artists Exhibitions for selection as it's a great occasion,the venues are always impressive and the interaction between the group of artists is valuable. The participation in the hanging, helping, and networking is a learning curve in itself. Not to mention the new ideas and current paintings that one's exposed to. The exhibition additional value is the exposure you can can receive through press reviews and articles and the very best sense of achievement once your painting is sold. My painting ' Loch Rannoch' was bought by a Scottish lady - most appropriate.

 

The Mall Galleries website:
www.mallgalleries.org.uk

back to reviews | top |