'drawing strength' was an exhibition held at Montsalvat, Barn Gallery, from Saturday 17th November 2018 to Sunday January 6th 2019
No longer seen as a preparatory phase for other artworks, Drawing is now recognised as one of the most explosive forms of contemporary art making. Drawing has had a long history that has ebbed and flowed from cave markings to life drawing's essentials, from technical publication requirements to wild gestural markings, from the poor cousin to painting to being the flavour of the month, from being thrown away in favour of a finished work to being the gem of the thinking mind.
'drawing strength' consisted of a near two month exhibition of drawn works curated by Jo Lane and Montsalvat's Arts Manager Jeannette Davidson. The programme consisted of an opening event and a public lecture.. The exhibition showed the work Jo created during the Masters of Drawing degree in London, and work from international artists plus invited artists from Melbourne. Works were for sale. Jo has completed her MA Drawing at University of Arts London (UAL) Wimbledon College of Arts. Her work there was selected for Xhibit 2018, and shown at Bermonsdey Project Gallery, Bermondsey St, London. Xhibit showcased the best emerging creatives from UAL. Xhibit is selected by an expert panel of creative industry professionals. She was also a finalist in the prestigious HIX Award, Shoreditch London.
During her time in the Masters Programme she attended industry lectures, DRAWING NOW Art Fair in Paris, exhibitions in Europe and England.
'drawing strength' encapsulated the work and knowledge gained in this year of open discovery for the art of Drawing. Making the findings available to others in the form of an exhibition and lecture to enhance the vibrancy of the discipline and the opportunities for local artists and visitors to gain insight into contemporary Drawing's expanded practice.