Discovering Palmer's Kent

About

When a small etching by Samuel Palmer was brought into the art studios at Goldsmiths College of Art in 1924 it sparked a mini revolt in the etching department. The densely worked surface of Palmer's print was in almost direct opposition to the current trends. Two of the students, Graham Sutherland and Paul Drury, were so excited by the print that they set about discovering all that they could about Samuel Palmer. They embarked on a series of outings to the Kent countryside exploring and drawing the landscape that had so inspired Palmer. Drawn to the quality of the Kent light and the rural way of life, they produced a body of exquisite etchings directly influenced by their admiration of Palmer's visionary work. Ninety years on, the three artists' enlightened responses to nature, and their idyllic view of the English countryside still have the power to enthrall. The exhibition will include a previously unknown Sutherland etching and the first showing of sketches, plates and prints of unfinished works by Paul Drury.