Bridget Riley, Red Red Blue, 2010
To mark the opening of our Bath Gallery's upcoming exhibition, 'Women in Print', we wanted to turn to one of the stars of the exhibition, and Hidden's collection more generally, Bridget Riley.
Born in 1931, Riley spent much of her upbringing in Cornwall and Lincolnshire, before heading to London to study at Goldsmiths College and, later, the Royal College of Art. Though her creative explorations initially took her to the realms of impressionism and pointillism, the 1960s brought with them a newfound interest in the practical technicalities of looking and optical illusion. It was from these highly technical visual experiments that Riley's signature style, which would go on to impact art history forever, was born.
Riley has always been quick to label herself a painter rather than an artist: a testament to the importance of her process over the final product. And what a process it is! Riley begins by carrying out extensive preparatory drawings and collages, toying with colour and form to discover new possibilities within her signature visual language. Upon her discovery of a suitable combination of colours and shapes, she will then produce highly detailed mathematical instructions with her exact specifications for the final product. These instructions will then be passed to a master printmaker, carefully selected by Riley, who will work on the screenprint under the artist's watchful eye. Only when she considers the execution of the final print to be absolutely perfect will she sign, date and title the works ready for release.
A true trailblazer of British Modernism, Riley's work has inspired artists and graphic designers alike: from the YBAs, to the bold designer Lance Wyman. Furthermore, as the first female artist to win the coveted international prize for painting at the 1968 Venice Biennale, and the co-founder of SPACE, Riley has encouraged generations of female artists to engage with art and design. It is unsurprising, then, that she is considered amongst the most beloved British artists of the 20th and 21st Centuries.
Join us at 14a Margaret's Buildings, Bath, from the 24th November to the 8th December to enjoy the work of Bridget Riley amongst a phenomenal cast of powerhouse female artists.
Any questions? We are happy to help. Call: 0117 279 6402 or send us a message now.
