Book Launch London 2008

Painting at the Edge of the World
London Book Launch 2 July 2008

The launch of Tony Foster's new book, Painting at the Edge of the World, The Watercolours of Tony Foster, was opened at The Royal Watercolour Society (RWS), Bankside Gallery, London, UK on 2 July 2008 by Professor Duncan Robinson, Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge.

Painting at the Edge of the World
The Watercolours of Tony Foster
Cover Illustration

Sited on the Thames just up-river of the Tate Modern and the Millennium Footbridge, the venue is pleasantly sited.

Bankside Gallery Panorama
Four photos stitched together taken just outside the RWS Bankside Gallery
Looking down-river towards St Paul's Cathedral and the Millennium Footbridge

This is a reverse view looking back from the Millennium Bridge towards the Tate Modern. The Bankside Gallery is towards the right where there is a gap in the trees. The banner announcing Tony's Exhibition is just visible.

Looking Back from the Millennium Footbridge towards the Bankside Gallery

From the Millennium Footbridge zoomed in on the Bankside Gallery. Tony Foster's banner shows through the gap in the trees in the centre of the picture.

From the Millennium Footbridge zoomed in on the Bankside Gallery

RWS Bankside Gallery, with Tony Foster's exhibition prominently displayed.

RWS Bankside Gallery featuring Tony Foster's exhibition

Bankside Gallery Chairman, John Thirlwell, spoke of the nearly two hundred years of the RWS and how it was set up as a break-away from the Royal Academy to support artists painting with water-based media on paper. He spoke of his pleasure in having the opportunity of having Tony Foster's work on display and warmly introduced the guest speaker, Professor Duncan Robinson.

John Thirlwell introduces Professor Duncan Robinson

Professor Duncan Robinson opening the exhibition at the RWS Bankside Gallery, 2 July 2008. He spoke of Tony Foster's unusual self-effacing approach to his work based on his intention is to promote the concept of the primacy of the subject rather than the personality of the painter, that he should faithfully record what he sees and experiences and not use artistic tricks to embellish or romanticise the work: that finding the best vantage point to paint from is worth spending much time and effort: that his task is to draw the viewer into something of what it was like to be there, sometimes for weeks: that these beautiful wildernesses are worthy of profound respect and that they should be valued and protected.

Professor Duncan Robinson opening the exhibition at the RWS Bankside Gallery, 2 July 2008

Professor Robinson spoke of Tony's ability to motivate and mobilise travelling companions to help him meticulously plan and undertake arduous and sometimes risky journeys to remote and inaccessible painting sites: and then to work there painstakingly putting watercolour onto paper, sometimes in the most inhospitable of conditions. To his works he adds natural and artificial objects picked up along the way along with diary notes that help the viewer in some measure to share his own experience and feel their own emotional response to the subject.

Professor Robinson has contributed a major article to Tony Foster's book, "Painting at the Edge of the World, The Watercolours of Tony Foster".

Professor Duncan Robinson captivates his audience

An excellent speaker, Professor Robinson is seen here captivating his audience. His major article in Tony Foster's book, "Painting at the Edge of the World, The Watercolours of Tony Foster" is well worth reading.

Tony Foster thanked Duncan Robinson and John Thirlwell. He spoke warmly of the dedication of the team at the Bankside Gallery who had worked tirelessly to make such a success of hanging the pictures and promoting the exhibition.

Tony Foster thanking everyone and promoting his book

He drew attention to his book, saying that its 324 pages were packed with 240 colour illustrations, interspersed with superb articles, that made it wonderful value at only £39.95 for the standard edition. Below: Tony Foster signing his book for a purchaser.

Tony Foster signing his book

Tony Foster also drew attention to the Exhibition Catalogue. Here he is signing a copy of the catalogue for a purchaser.

Tony Foster signing his Exhibition Catalogue

Guests viewing and chatting in the Bankside Gallery. Doubtless some of them will return for a more reflective viewing in the days to come. The exhibition runs until 20 July 2008 and then goes to Gerald Peters Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, where it will be exhibited from 13 September till 15 November 2008.

Guests viewing and chatting in the Bankside Gallery

More about Tony Foster's Book