My wife went to the Adfas talk today at Trinity Church, and I am typing this as she speaks.

It was titled ‘Auguste Rodin – The First Modern Sculptor?’

She first went into the church hall next door thinking the lecture would be there, but found people doing some sort of stretching exercise class.

Next door she found Trinity Church was already 3/4 full. She had struck lucky because usually non-members are charged £6 but today to encourage new members the lecture was free. Adfas meet on the third Wednesday of the month, with an art lecture repeated morning and afternoon.

The lecture was given by a German lady who had studied at The Courtauld Institute.

She looked at how Sculpture had changed through Rodin’s work. She showed how he acted as a bridge between traditional and modern art. In his day some of his works were ridiculed – the way he simplified figures to bring out their character. The people who commissioned a statue of Balzac by Rodin were not very pleased with how the plaster was hacked and punched together. It looked ‘like a toad in a sack, and still wrapped up.’

The lecturer also showed some of Rodin’s sketches of nudes and apologised that she could not show more in a church setting.

It was a well presented lecture.

Tomorrow at Trinity Church hall there will be Baby Ballet Classes for 2-4 year olds.

The Abingdon Artists group found a new space for their autumn exhibition at one of the ex-dairy barns that are now part of the thriving church of Christ Church, Northcourt Road, Abingdon.

The exhibition space is next door to the Barns Cafe and has a large window one side, a wide door and windows opposite – which makes a well lit airy exhibition space.

In addition to all the finished works on display, some of the artists – manning the exhibition – have produced sketches that have been hung in a row to dry.

There was also a 2018 Calendar made up of views of Abingdon by Abingdon Artists, that has been selling well – at the cost price of £8.

As part of the 150 year anniversary celebrations at St Michael’s Church there has been an exhibition of art.

The exhibition displayed entries to an art competition on the theme: ‘Celebration’.

Proceeds will be donated to two charities; the Abingdon Bridge and Tariro – Hope For Youth: in Zimbabwe, and there were displays about their work in the church.

There were also refeshments, and items for sale including the 150th anniversary mugs picture above, and a book about 150 Years of St. Michaels called “As it was in the beginning, is now … and various bits in-between.“

It was a lovely sunny Sunday afternoon for exploring Abingdon and Radley at the start of Oxfordshire Artweeks.

We started our tour at a house at the end of Abbot Road, in Abingdon, with views towards the trees of Boxhill Walk.

There were a dozen different artists with works on display, known as the “popup art collective“. Pictured above is Clare Davis with works inspired by rock formations and fossils, made with stitched and painted calico and paper.

They had exhibited for the first time in 2016, and were a real joy for us to discover today in 2017.

Next we set off to Lower Radley, following the art weeks signs.

Three different print makers, from the Oxford Printmakers Co-operative, had works on display. It was very interesting to hear all three talk about the different techniques they used.

There were also refreshments served from the studio of Susan Wheeler, one of the exhibitors. Her linocut prints are very well known in these parts.
We were cycling home when we saw another art weeks sign pointing to site 60.

John Huddleston, Silversmith had a display of his work at site 60. There were examples of jewellery for sale, and examples of commissions he has undertaken – including one for St Helens Church.

John also teaches working with silver to the Abingdon Silver Group who meet at John Mason School.

He was a scientist working at Harwell. He sometimes rides an old moped he bought and painted in his teenage years. The blue paint is starting to peel but the moped can still reach 30 mph with a strong wind behind.

There are many more exhibitors in this area so look forward to finding some more.