B O H U N G A L L E R Y
* * * P R E S S R E L E A S E * * *
MARY FEDDEN: A Centenary Celebration of Major Works
Royal Academy Paintings, Drawings,
Collages and Early Lithographs
7th November – 28th November
To celebrate Bohun Gallery’s long and personal association with one of Britain’s best-loved
artists, the Henley on Thames gallery will be celebrating Mary Fedden’s Centenary with a major
show of her very finest work including Royal Academy paintings, drawings, collages and the
first survey of her early lithographs. Many of the paintings have not been seen since their first
appearance at Royal Academy Summer shows which presents an exciting opportunity for
Modern British collectors. These reappearing works also offer the new generation of Fedden
collectors the chance to get a much clearer and broader idea of Fedden’s artistic
development and diversity.
Mary Fedden first exhibited her work at Bohun Gallery in Henley on Thames in 1984. Patricia
Jordan Evans recalls “It was Elisabeth Frink who introduced me to Mary Fedden nearly 35 years
ago. From the start there was a rapport between us and we enjoyed a warm friendship until
her death in 2012”. Mary and her artist husband, Julian Trevelyan RA, regularly exhibited their
paintings at the Henley on Thames gallery which offered collectors outside London the
opportunity to discover Fedden’s work. Her paintings were much sort after from the start for
their unique artistry and attractiveness. Patricia recalls how she regularly discovered collectors
camped out overnight on Bohun’s doorstep, ensuring that they were first through the door at
the Private View - “Private views for Mary were always absolutely packed with friends and
admirers. It was usually a bit of a frenzied affair as collectors fought to acquire the little gems.
15 Reading Road, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 1AB Telephone /Fax 01491 576228
Bohun Contemporary Art Limited Company No. 5708718 Registered office as above Director: P M Jordan Evans
The Private Views were always followed by a meal together when Mary shared her rich
conversation and warmth to the delight of all”.
The collection includes early still lifes from the 1970s and further examples from each decade of
her working life. The paintings do not invite analysis or discussion – they are intuitive and
spontaneous and present a glorious array of objects. The subject matter reflects her recurring
passions with superb still lifes featuring her favourite cats, the tools of her trade, overloaded
table tops depicting objects within a hand’s reach and all set against the exotic locations
which she explored with Julian (including a large and rare painting of a garden in Gozo). The
sheer size of these paintings (some are nearly four foot) illustrates the importance placed on
them by Fedden, being undertaken specifically for the Royal Academy Summer exhibitions
where Mary had been a full Academician since 1991.
Mary Fedden’s skill as a draughtsman and illustrator is undisputed. Her drawings are striking and
exquisite with superbly controlled lines. The drawings in Bohun Gallery’s show are not the
notations and ‘jottings’ of an artist using drawing as an aide-memoire but large, finished
compositions designed to be exhibited and sold. The exhibition includes three such highly
finished works, dating from the 1970s, depicting table-top scenes in Italy and France. The
admiration which the early drawings received led Fedden to collaborate with Master
Printmaker Stanley Jones of Curwen Press allowing for a wider audience to enjoy the work. The
result was a series of lithographs, created during the 1970s, worked on personally by Fedden at
Curwen Press and Bohun Gallery have managed to assemble a selection of these rare limited
edition works.
One of the least conventional mediums explored by Fedden, is that of collage. Encouraged by
Julian Trevelyan, she used his discarded etchings and explored her surrealist side unexpectedly
juxtaposing objects, textures and styles. These witty and affectionate homages to Julian result in
one particular ‘jewel’ in the show – a miniature collage of Julian in his studio, which will delight
both Trevelyan and Fedden enthusiasts.
Mary Fedden was the first female art teacher at the Royal College of Art and taught many of
the rising stars of the 1950s and 60s including David Hockney, Allen Jones and Patrick Caulfield.
Subsequently, Fedden taught at the Yehudi Menuhin School and was elected Royal
Academician in 1991. From 1984 to 1988 she was President of the Royal West of England
Academy and she was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Bath and an
O.B.E. for her work. She continued to work from the studio in Hammersmith that she shared with
her husband, who died in 1988, well into her nineties.
For further information and high res images, please contact Katie Newman on
01491 576 228 or art@bohungallery.co.uk
Mary Fedden and Patricia Jordan Evans at Bohun Gallery in 2002
B O H U N G A L L E R Y
Still Life with Jug, 1974 Oil on canvas 36x30ins.
‘Tabby by a Marble Table’ 2002 Oil on canvas 36x50ins.
The Shell, 2000 Oil on canvas 40x50ins. Garden at Gozo, 1963 Oil on canvas 30x36ins.
Julian in his Studio, 1996, Mixed media and collage 6x10ins. Three Brushes, 2006 Oil on canvas 32x35ins
15 Reading Road, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 1AB Telephone /Fax 01491 576228
Bohun Contemporary Art Limited Company No. 5708718 Registered office as above Director: P M Jordan Evans
www.bohungallery.co.uk