NEWS RELEASE

PR 1013

For Immediate Release 1 November 2002

John Eaves: friends and influences

BATH-BASED artist John Eaves will be at Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Victoria Art Gallery on Wednesday, November 6 to talk about his latest exhibition.

‘Over the Edge’ opened at gallery on September 21 and runs until November 24.

During the illustrated talk, John Eaves will give the audience an insight into some of his influences and how his friends and former teachers at the Bath Academy of Art have influenced his work.

Eaves is well known locally as a teacher, artist and musician and the rhythms and colours of his paintings reflect his love of jazz which is always playing in his studio.

He trained at the Bath Academy of Art between 1949 and 1952 and went on to work as Course Director for part-time courses in the visual arts at Bath College of Higher Education between 1958 and 1985. He is a member of the Royal West of England Academy.

Jon Benington, Curator of the Gallery, said: "The items in this exhibition are all strikingly coloured and essentially abstract in appearance although the images ultimately derive from the artist’s love of landscape."

In 1985 Eaves produced a painting called ‘Blue Spreading’ which Ikea turned into a best-selling poster in 1991 and more than 45,000 copies were sold.

The talk on November 6 runs from 7pm-8.30pm. Tickets cost £4 and include a glass of wine.

The Victoria Art Gallery, near Pulteney Bridge in Bath, is open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5.30pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 2pm to 5pm. The Gallery is closed on Monday. Admission is free.

For more details call 01225 477233 or visit the Gallery’s new website at http://www.victoriagal.org.uk/

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Bath & North East Somerset Council’s art gallery houses the area’s permanent collection of British and European art from the 15th century to the present day. The gallery has one of the best temporary exhibition programmes in the region, ranging from prints to sculpture, including national touring exhibitions and major retrospectives. There are frequent workshops, holiday activities and a full programme for schools.

For further information and images contact:

Jon Benington, Curator of the Victoria Art Gallery, on Tel: 01225 477772 or e-mail jon_benington@bathnes.gov.uk

Patricia Dunlop, Commercial Marketing Manager - Heritage Services, on Tel: 01225 477759 or e-mail patricia_dunlop@bathnes.gov.uk

For comment, contact:

Cllr Nicole O’Flaherty, Executive Member for Tourism, Leisure and Culture, on Tel: 01225 310341 or e-mail nicole_oflaherty@bathnes.gov.uk

Issued by: Richard Cottle, Bath & North East Somerset Press Office on 01225 477383

pressoffice@bathnes.gov.uk