Lines of Influence: Twentieth Century British Printmaking
This new exhibition celebrates the vital role of printmaking in shaping British art throughout the twentieth century and beyond.
The Edge of Abstraction
Friday 3rd Oct 2025 — Sunday 9th Nov 2025, The Base, Runway Gallery
Free Entry
Explore the work of Kevin Akhurst and Robert Fitzmaurice, who, through ceramics and mixed media, unearth the mysteries of the hand, flame, and brush.
This exhibition of ceramics by Kevin Akhurst and mixed media works by Robert Fitzmaurice alludes to nature and the figure that emerges through attention to form, mark making and evocative colour. Exhibiting together for the first time, viewers' imaginations will be tickled by hints of meaning and with thoughts free to roam, they will discover the edge of abstraction is an exciting place to be.
Kevin's stoneware jars have a uniform shape, but each has a unique surface design. This is reflected in the texturing of raised areas of surface (like the peel of a fruit) and the shapes of smoother ‘peeled’ areas, which are recessed. The textured and recessed areas have different glazes, chosen to respond to the design and to the path of the flame during firing. Each surface design was inspired by an object or idea taken to the edge of abstraction.
Robert works in a variety of media. His work is populated by emblematic figures, encoded allusions and psychic dramas. Invention and abstraction of the figure characterise his output and he describes his main theme as 'the stories we tell'. His interest in abstraction evolved through friendship with the artist Adrian Heath and the study of eastern and western approaches to representation during his travels in Europe and Asia.
FREE entry
Open daily, 9am - 5pm
All artworks in the exhibition are available for sale on a first come first served basis. Artworks can be purchased from the gallery desk or by visiting The Base Office.
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