MARKING THE CENTENARY OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR

ILLUSTRATIONS BY

ALBANY WISEMAN
AS FEATURED IN

TOMMY ATKINS IN THE GREAT WAR

A BOOK BY ROBIN OLLINGTON

WITH SCULPTURE AND DRAWINGS BY JAMES BUTLER RA

AND MILITARY CARTOONS BY ROBIN OLLINGTON

4-17 JUNE 2014

Private View Tuesday 3^rd June 6-8pm

Albany Wiseman, illustration from Tommy Atkins, watercolour, 23 x 35cm (image size)

‘Tommy Atkins In the Great War’ was published in 2006, a book devised by Robin Olllington with illustrations by Albany Wiseman. This story outlines the tragic events of World War I, but maintains a lightness which makes the story accessible and suitable for young children. 

The ultimate message from the story of this solider Tommy Atkins, is one of remembrance of those who died in the war. 2014 is a time for great reflection on the First World War, this year being the Centenary of the war’s beginning. The original watercolour illustrations from the book are showcased in this exhibition along with sculpture and drawings by James Butler RA and military cartoons by Robin Ollington.

Albany Wiseman, illustration from Tommy Atkins in the Great War

Albany Wiseman studied at St. Albans College of Art and has worked as a professional artist since 1952. His career has covered many aspects of art, from book illustration, poster design, limited edition lithographs, watercolour and oil painting. He has wide experience in teaching, both as a lecturer in art colleges and as an instructor on numerous painting courses in France, Portugal, Spain and the UK. He has exhibited widely - at one man and mixed shows in Britain and abroad - and also from his studio in London. Many of his prints have been produced to help fund-raising projects for schools, hospitals, universities and the Prince of Wales Business Trust. He has had various art books published along with a number of children’s books.

Robin Ollington began his career teaching graphic and exhibition design. He produced advertising and design work for a wide range of clients including the Daily Telegraph, Spectator and the City of Rochester, Kent and postage stamps design for Guernsey, Gibraltar and Poland. Exhibition and museum design have included the Beatrix Potter exhibition at Tate Britain, National Trust Great Storm Appeal and various others at the V&A as well as RIBA Drawings Collections for SAVE Britain’s Heritage. Since retirement, he has worked on various book projects and is currently involved with several military based charities including The Royal Hospital, Not Forgotten Association and Poppy Factory Gardening Leave. Robin Ollington’s cartoons shown here are the result of observation during involvement with some of these organisations and have appeared in various publications.

Over the course of his career, James Butler RA has produced several large monumental figurative sculptures to commemorate the war, including the ‘Rainbow Division Memorial’, which is at the site of the Battle of the Croix Rouge Farm in Fère-en-Tardenois, France. His ‘Memorial to the Fleet Air Arm’, is situated at Embankment Gardens in London and the ‘Memorial to the Green Howards’ are amongst some of his most moving war memorials. A member of the Royal Academy since 1964, he is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of British Sculptors and a Member of the Royal West of England Academy. His work can be seen in locations across London and in other UK cities and other countries such as Kenya, Zambia, Saudi Arabia, France, Singapore, Madeira and the USA. His smaller works feature in many private collections.

A donation from artwork sale profits will be made to The Not Forgotten Association.

The Not Forgotten Association, ‘Providing entertainment and recreation for the serving wounded and the

ex-service community with disabilities’.

Images of the show appear on the gallery website: http://www.curwengallery.co.uk/gallery/wiseman14/title.htm

Tommy Atkins in The Great War, devised by Robin Ollington, illustrated by Albany Wiseman, developed and designed by David Edgell and Duncan Youel. Published by Tommy Atkins productions Ltd, 2006. Available for sale at the exhibition for £9.99