Award-winning illustrator Catherine Rayner will reveal solo exhibition 'The Dog Show' May 2022

2 years ago

Award-winning illustrator Catherine Rayner's solo exhibition 'The Dog Show'

Sarah Wiseman Gallery, Oxford

www.wisegal.com

7th – 28th May 2022

Sarah Wiseman Gallery is delighted to announce ‘The Dog Show’, a solo exhibition by the beloved, award -winning children’s author and illustrator Catherine Rayner.

‘We’re tremendously excited to show these new works in May of 2022, which will be revealed for the first time here at the gallery,’ says Sarah Wiseman, gallery director.

Catherine has chosen the dog theme, largely since becoming a dog owner herself, to Otto the miniature dachshund.

‘I’ve always loved dogs,’ she says. ‘As subjects for art or illustrations, I love the variety of breeds, the varying sizes, their expressions, textures of their fur…and the relationships they have with their owners – all of it. I’m very excited to be working on this exhibition!’

Catherine’s love of dogs inspired her picture book ‘Smelly Louie’ (published in 2014) about a loveable dog who has his very own, rather un-loveable Special Smell! ‘Smelly Louie’ went on to win The Peter’s Book of the Year, 2015, was shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal, 2015 and shortlisted for the 2015 English 4-11 Picture Book Awards.

Sarah Wiseman Gallery has worked with Catherine Rayner since 2006, when Sarah spotted her work at an art fair in Edinburgh.

‘Catherine’s new collection will bring all the love people have for their dogs into the gallery. The works will reflect on and celebrate the immense joy and companionship dogs bring to their families with their individual personalities. The gallery has always been dog friendly and we love meeting customers furry family members. I think this exhibition will be enormous fun!’

Catherine Rayner’s other solo shows at Sarah Wiseman Gallery include ‘Prickles, Fur and Feathers’ 2015, and ‘Rustlings’ in 2019, as well as countless group exhibitions.

Sarah Wiseman Gallery will prepare a fully illustrated e-catalogue featuring all available works and texts about the artist. If you’d like to receive one, email the gallery at info@wisegal.com to request a link.

[ENDS]

Notes to Editors

For further images, information or to arrange interviews, please contact us at Sarah Wiseman Gallery: telephone 01865 515 123 or email info@wisegal.com

About Catherine Rayner:

Based in Edinburgh, the award-winning author, illustrator and artist Catherine Rayner is best known for her animated depictions of wild and domestic animals, showing off the charisma and character of these creatures that many of us take for granted. Catherine has been exhibiting at Sarah Wiseman Gallery for over fifteen years and in that time, we've been thrilled to see the leaps her career has taken.

Using liquid acrylics and silkscreen, her lively and expressive line describes movement whilst playing with scale and space. By placing the animal to one side of the paper, for example, she suggests that it has just strayed into the frame and at any moment might just wander off again.

Her silkscreens are made expressively and organically often including up to thirty layers of colour. Her experience as a children's book illustrator allows the viewer to observe each creature and imagine the events in its life. Its posture, pose and curious expression has a poignancy and a sense of anticipation as in a new story unfolding. More recently, Catherine has included carefully placed leaves and grasses or footprints to build even more of a sense of scale and backdrop.

Catherine Rayner graduated in 2004 from Edinburgh College of Art where she studied Illustration. She published her first picture book 'Augustus and His Smile' in 2006. She won the Best New Illustrator Award at the Booktrust Early Years Awards and was also shortlisted for the V&A Illustration Awards in that same year. All in all, she has published between twenty-five and thirty picture books for children so far, in her own right, as well as collaborating with other writers, such as Michael Bond and Julia Donaldson.

Amongst numerous other prizes and nominations, she was the recipient of the prestigious CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal in 2009 for her book 'Harris Finds His Feet'. More of her books have been shortlisted since then, including her recent book ‘Arlo, the Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep’ (pub March 2021)

In 2020, her work was included in 'The Book of Hopes', one of a hundred contributions from authors and illustrators such as Jaqueline Wilson, Michael Morpurgo and Axel Scheffler. Published by Bloomsbury, the book is dedicated to the doctors, nurses, carers, porters, cleaners and everyone currently working in hospitals.

Catherine’s work has been exhibited all around the UK and internationally – New York, Singapore and several touring European exhibitions. Her work is in numerous private collections around the world.

About Sarah Wiseman Gallery:

Sarah Wiseman Gallery is the largest independent gallery space in Oxford and has built a strong reputation for ambitious and engaging exhibitions of contemporary art by established as well as emerging artists. Director Sarah Wiseman opened the gallery in 1998 and it was quickly established as a leading space for contemporary art in the city. Sarah has sought out a varied group of artists with an eye to individuality and technical accomplishment, reflecting her passion and commitment to contemporary art.

Over the years, we have come to focus our expertise primarily on contemporary British painters. As a gallery, we support original voices in painting, seeking opportunities for our artists to further develop their careers. We aim to create a point of focus through presenting an interesting gallery programme of solo exhibitions as well as carefully curated, themed group exhibitions.

The breadth of artists we work with reflects the diversity of our clients, who range from experienced art collectors to those intending to make their first art purchase. We aim to enthuse our visitors with a variety of artwork in a spacious, relaxed setting and to encourage engagement with contemporary art.

A destination for lovers of contemporary art, Sarah Wiseman Gallery is an inspiring experience for locals and visitors to Oxford alike. The gallery is situated on South Parade in Oxford's stylish Summertown area amongst independent boutiques and restaurants.

Admission is free.
All works on display are for sale
Works are also available for purchase online. We ship UK and Worldwide, please contact us for quotations for larger items.

'Catherine Rayner: 'The Dog Show' Solo Exhibition'
Sarah Wiseman Gallery
7th – 28th May 2022

Contact:
Sarah Wiseman Gallery
40-41 South Parade
Oxford
OX2 7JL
Tel: 01865 515 123
www.wisegal.com

Twitter: @sarah_wisegal
Instagram: @sarahwisemangallery
Facebook: sarahwisemangallery

Opening Hours:
Tues-Saturday 10:00 – 17:30
Monday: 10:00 – 16:00

Attached Media

Press Contacts

Sarah Wiseman

Gallery Director

01865515123

info@wisegal.com

Sarah Lacey

Gallery assistant (Marketing and PR)

01865 515 123

slacey@wisegal.com

Johanna Gullberg

Gallery assistant (sales, web and operations)

01865515123

info@wisegal.com