An interview with the curators of Fire
The third in a series of element-themed exhibitions, Fire: Flashes to Ashes in British Art 1692-2019 is a major exhibition at the RWA bringing together a number of important historical, modern and contemporary artworks on the theme of fire.
Fire will be divided into a contemporary part, curated by Gemma Brace and Rachael Nee RWA, and a historical part curated by Christiana Payne, Professor of History of Art at Oxford Brookes. We spoke to Rachael and Christina...
Christiana…
How did you come to be involved in curating the Fire exhibition?
I started working with the RWA in 2014, when I curated 'The Power of the Sea: Making Waves in British Art, 1790-2014' with Janette Kerr. I had published a book, 'Where the Sea meets the Land: Artists on the Coast in Nineteenth-century Britain', Janette read it and introduced herself to me.Together we dreamed up an exhibition that would bring historic and contemporary art together. That was so much fun that when they asked if I'd like to be involved in 'Air: Visualising the Invisible in British Art, 1768-2017', I said yes straight away. That was in 2017, and I worked with Stephen Jacobson and Gemma Brace. From there it was an obvious step to consider a third one of the four elements - Fire. At first I was a little apprehensive about working with a real live artist, but Janette, then Stephen, and now Rachael Nee (all Academicians) have all proved to be delightful collaborators, as has Gemma. I should add that Alison Bevan's enthusiastic support for all three exhibitions has been inspirational, and I've enjoyed working with everyone at the RWA (there are too many people for me to name them all!)
2) What can visitors expect to see?
In the historic section, we've divided up the works into destructive, terrifying fires in one room, and the beneficial fires of fireplaces, candlelight and industry in the other. For good measure we also have representations of God and Satan in fiery locations. There are significant oil paintings by Samuel Scott, Joseph Wright of Derby, John Martin, Stanley Spencer, and watercolours by William Blake, J. M. W. Turner, Eric Ravilious, amongst others. Three watercolours of the 1831 Bristol riots, by J. B. Pyne, will be of particular local interest.
3) What might surprise visitors?
A large painting by John Collier, simply entitled 'Fire' - it is enigmatic, but it would spoil the surprise to say why!
4) Any particular favourite/notable works to look out for?
I like the small painting by John Cleveley the Elder of a ship on fire - 'The Luxborough Galley' - with its harrowing story of the slave trade. 'Blowing the Candle' by Rolinda Sharples is a charming work, with subtle light effects, by a well-known Bristol artist. Joseph Wright's painting of 'Vesuvius in Eruption' is a dramatic painting of a volcano at night, with a great burst of light set off by eloquent clouds. Eric Ravilious's 'November 5th, 1933' is an exuberant scene of fireworks and bonfires. There's lots of colour, lots of excitement, lots of variety in the show.
Rachael...
1) How did you come to be involved in curating the Fire exhibition?
I used fire in my art practice for many years and the idea has brewed for a decade and I put in a proposal to the RWA about five years ago. It is the third in the elements series after 'The Power of the Sea' and 'Air'. I am very happy to be co-curating with the, much more experienced and knowledgeable, curator Gemma Brace (a previous Head of Exhibitions at RWA) and Professor of History of Art, Christiana Payne (Oxford Brookes). The mix of academic, curator and artist has worked really well. I hope we have put together an exhibition that visitors will enjoy and find memorable.
2) What can visitors expect to see?
A huge range of works bringing together a number of important historical, modern and contemporary artworks on the theme of fire, including work that incorporates fire in its making process. The exhibition examines how artists’ approaches have changed over time, recording historical, religious, domestic or natural events as well as exploring fire as a material phenomenon informed by contemporary themes and issues.
3) What might surprise visitors?
On the contemporary side I think the versatility and different approaches the artists have to the theme; from the ephemeral use of smoke by Catherine Morland, to the horror of the Man on Fire sculpture by Tim Shaw, to Aura Satz's sound and lightbox work involving a Norwegian vocalist to name a few. Overall we have been very lucky, with many influential artists agreeing to exhibit who have not shown at the RWA before.
4) Any particular favourite/notable works to look out for?
And my favourite child is.... A difficult question as a lot of them are my 'dream team' artists, having been on the wish list for this exhibition for years. On the contemporary side, one that is particularly poignant for me now is a piece by Susan Hiller called 'Measure by Measure' made from the ashes of a painting she ritually burnt one every year. She sadly passed away earlier this year after agreeing to be in the exhibition and we are lucky to have it. Also Jeremy Deller's banner which may raise a laugh or your hackles depending... On the historical side, I'm a fan of William Blake so to have two of his watercolours is a thrill. I could go on, how much time have you got?!
Interested in reading more articles like this? Then join the Friends of the RWA. This piece is from their quarterly newsletter—a publication exclusively for the Friends of the RWA containing articles, interviews and RWA news.
Interview conducted by Andrew Nixon, editor of the Friends of the RWA's arts blog The Floating Circle.
Image credit: Nadège Mériau, Au Centre de la Terre II, 2011, C-type print, 102 x 107cm. Courtesy of the artist and Kimon De Ridder. Photograph courtesy of Kimon De Ridder