Friends excursions: Humphrey Ocean RA
The artist in his studio
Tuesday 26 September 2017 2 - 3.30pm
West Norwood, London SE27. Full directions with ticket.
£30, includes tea and biscuits.
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Get an intimate glimpse of the working studio of Royal Academician Humphrey Ocean, Professor of Perspective at the RA Schools, as he opens his studio to a small group of Friends of the RA.
Best known for his portraits and chair paintings, Humphrey studied at the Canterbury Art School in the early 1970s. He had his first major exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in 1984. A residency at Dulwich Picture Gallery in 2002 culminated in his exhibition how’s my driving as well as shows at Sidney Cooper Gallery, Canterbury, 2009 and Jesus College, Cambridge, 2011. A handbook of modern life, a series of new portraits, was at the National Portrait Gallery 2012–13, accompanied by a new publication of the same name. Humphrey has painted several portraits, including Paul McCartney, Tony Benn and a 1984 painting of Philip Larkin, all for the National Portrait Gallery.
On this intimate visit to Humphrey’s studio, we will see canvases and models he is currently working on, while enjoying a conversation with the artist. Hear why Van Gogh was his earliest inspiration and why a visit to a church in Corsica has inspired him to make a foray into the medium of sculpture for the first time. We are privileged to visit Humphrey’s workspace and share his thoughts on many subjects, which might range from Josef Albers and Ai Wei Wei to British road signs and Spotify.
“I like being in a studio on my own, and closing the door on other people, thinking thoughts that don’t conform to anything. It’s a space to experiment.” – Humphrey Ocean.
£30, includes tea and biscuits.
Friends of the RA book first
Booking and attending Friends excursions and events