David Harrison in Sawdust and Sequins: The Art of the Circus

The exhibition (24 March – 3 June 2018) at the Royal West of England Academy also features work by Sir Peter Blake, Abigail Lane and many others.

To celebrate 250 years of circus, the Royal West of England Academy (RWA) presents a major exhibition that pays homage to the greatest show on earth.

Sawdust and Sequins will feature historic and contemporary art, inspired by the magic, thrills and spills of the Big Top.

Since it began in the1700s, circus has become a worldwide phenomenon and a rich source of inspiration for artists. From historical depictions of familiar circus scenes to contemporary works exploring the glamour and grit, the exhibition will survey the complex, compelling nature of circus and why it still captures our imaginations.

Sawdust and Sequins will feature works by contemporary artists including Sir Peter Blake RWA (Hon), Abigail Lane, Eileen Cooper OBE RA, Beth Carter, PJ Crook MBE RWA, Stephen Jacobson VPRWA and George Tute RWA, as well as new commissions by artists Sadie Tierney, Katharine Jones and Abigail Lane

The exhibition will also include historic works by Dame Laura Knight RA RWA, Edward Seago, Walter Sickert RA, David Bomberg, Duncan Grant RWA, Robert Colquhoun, Thérèse Lessore (on loan from The British Council, Arts Council Collection, Government Art Collection, Royal Academy, Royal College of Art and Leeds Art Gallery amongst others).

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Image: David Harrison, Miss Kitty in Paradise, 2005