2018 Highlights & News

2018 has been an exciting time in my exhibition calendar with the focus around Savile Row, London. I have produced highly detailed work in collaboration with Piccadilly tailor Benson & Clegg. A canvas so precisely measured that it tested even my technical skills. The portrait of King George VI is a permanent feature at Benson & Clegg and lists the George Cross recipients awarded from 1940-2018. Please visit the shop to view the portrait during opening hours you would be most welcome.

I have also produced a portrait of Horatio Nelson using Savile Row’s Davies & Son bespoke label. Although minimal in design compared to King George VI this canvas also tested my skills. It is clear to see my decision-making processes allowing the visible sketch to be seen and making suggestions of Nelson’s coat rather than including the whole detail. 

A highlight of 2018 was selection for the Royal Academy 250th Summer exhibition, both portraits selling at the private views and a second commission as a result of the exposure, thank you Royal Academy. I must also mention a local exhibition at the wonderful 19th century Framework Knitters Museum in Ruddington, Nottingham back in May 2018, it was great to be involved in this exhibition.

Looking ahead to 2019 I can confirm that I will be showing work as part of the INNOVATE exhibition at Derby Royal Hospital from 18thMarch, and also taking part in North Norfolk Open Studios from 25thMay – 9thJune 2019. 

Savile Row and Horatio Nelson

Work in progress and research visits: -
My research during 2018 has taken me north, south and east. North to visit the Nelson Monument at the top of Calton Hill in Edinburgh, the tower recalls Admiral Lord Nelson's victory, and death, at the battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805 (aged 47). Also heading south to London to visit Nelson’s Column and the Maritime Museum at Greenwich. I recommend visiting this amazing exhibition if only to see the actual coat that Nelson was wearing at his death. Finally I headed east to Burnham Thorpe in Norfolk, a sleepy little village and the birthplace of Horatio Nelson on 29th September 1758. 

Nelson’s portrait is available to view at Davies & Son, 38 Savile Row until January 3rd 2019.

NEW Homing Pigeon

Now available as a stretched canvas 64cm high x 65cm wide £250. 466 names of men who gave their lives in WWI have been machine woven onto individual name-tapes and pinned onto stretched canvas in the image of a pigeon. Thousands of homer pigeons lost their lives during WWI. They were used to transfer important messages and were awarded medals of heroism for saving soldiers lives. Supported by Arts Council England.

lottery__black.jpg

OPEN STUDIO NORFOLK

OPEN STUDIO
Sat 21stJuly 2018
9am – 1pm

   12 High Street, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1EP.

Art made from 1000’s of clothing labels.

Or by appointment, enquiries email joy@joypitts.co.uk

Visit www.joypitts.co.uk

JOY PITTS is also exhibiting at the 250th Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, London until 19thAugust 2018.

Houghton Hall Norfolk

For me the increase in scale is the most engaging aspect of these playful sculptures, placed out of context and amongst the tree lined grounds of Houghton Hall. To understand the human form is to study what lies beneath the skin and Damien Hirst gives us a glimpse of this in Virgin Mother. The spot paintings appear throughout the house and have replaced the family portraits, they look spectacular and transform the ornate interiors. If you get chance to visit observe the scale of the dots as you move through the exhibition. Exhibition runs to 15th July 2018 selected days only.