Countryside captured with creative eye at the River & Rowing Museum in new exhibition

• New exhibition at the River & Rowing Museum by Anna Dillon, Oxford Arts Society, captures the Oxfordshire Landscape in unique fashion
• Links to John Piper: The Gyselynk Collection (until 8 October)
• The Wall, River & Rowing Museum, 18 August – 4 November
• IMAGES: http://mediacentre.kallaway.co.uk/rrm-picture-library47.asp

A new exhibition at the River & Rowing Museum captures Oxfordshire landscapes with a unique, vibrant expression that reflects the variety and beauty of the rolling countryside. From the Uffington White Horse to the famous hills of Wittenham Clumps; the Rollright Stones and Blewburton Hill, Oxfordshire, steeped in ancient history, is illustrated here through born-and-bred local artist Anna Dillon’s captivating landscapes. The exhibition links with John Piper - The Gyselynck Collection in the Treasures Gallery at the River & Rowing Museum (Until 8 October) as Piper has been an inspiration to Dillon and similarities can be drawn between the two artists’ response to the British landscape.

Anna Dillon has been passionate about the English countryside all her life. As a painter she has developed a unique style, using strong and bold colour to reflect the contours and the light of the land in an abstract manner. She paints primarily in oil and is influenced by many painters of the 20th century including John and Paul Nash, John Piper, Peter Lanyon and Graham Sutherland. Her bold approach to landscape painting can also be likened to David Hockney’s abstract iPad landscapes recently exhibited at the Royal Academy. She is a member of Oxford Arts Society and an area coordinator of Oxford Artweeks.

Dillon trained as an illustrator at Falmouth School of Art in Cornwall and then worked as a graphic designer for 16 years in London and the Middle East before painting professionally.

Suzie Tilbury, Curator of the Exhibition, said:

“Anna Dillon is an extremely talented contemporary landscape artist and her unique style captures the Oxfordshire Landscape with a bold finesse that evokes a wonderful pride in our surroundings. We are delighted to have the pleasure of exhibiting such fine contemporary work at the River & Rowing Museum”

Born in Wallingford (1972) Dillon has lived in the village of Aston Tirrold in South Oxfordshire for much of her life. Anna’s grandfather, Michael Page (1916-2012), was a Cambridge rower. His enthusiasm for the sport inspired Anna to exhibit at the River & Rowing Museum.

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Press Contacts

Jack Hickmott, Kallaway: 0207 221 7883 jack.hickmott@kallaway.com 


William Kallaway, Kallaway, 0207 221 7883 william.kallaway@kallaway.com

Catherine Yoxall, River & Rowing Museum: 01491 415642 catherine.yoxall@rrm.co.uk


Follow River & Rowing Museum on Twitter: @river_rowing

Notes to Editors

The show will run from 18 August – 4 November on The Wall at the River and Rowing Museum, Mill Meadows, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 1BF.

More information on Anna Dillon can be found at www.annadillon.com

John Piper: The Gyselynk Collection

Treasures Gallery – Until 8 October

A major collection of work by John Piper, arguably one of Britain’s most influential modernist artists on show to the public for the first time at the River & Rowing Museum. The exhibition comprises the collection of over 30 John Piper works acquired by collector the late Michael Gyselynk, who lived in Lower Shiplake near Henley on Thames.  This exhibition is the first time the collection has been displayed together – and the first time many of the works have been displayed in public before.

The River & Rowing Museum

The River & Rowing Museum is one of the UK's leading regional and sporting Museums, attracting over 116,000 visitors a year. The Museum, an independent charity, also has a purpose built education centre visited by over 20,000 children and adults a year. The Museum provides superb value for money - tickets are £8 for adults and £6 for children and provide free return access for a year.

Designed by David Chipperfield and located on the banks of the River Thames in Henley on Thames, the Museum celebrates and explores four core themes through a wide variety of exhibitions and events across four galleries and special exhibitions:

1. Rivers: Using the Thames as a starting point, the Museum explores the environmental, ecological and social impacts of water and rivers across the world.
2. The historic riverside community of Henley on Thames: This historic town, home to the Henley Royal Regatta and host to the Rowing competition in the 1908 and 1948 Olympic Games, has a colourful history dating back to the stone age, all captured in a dedicated gallery explored through hugely popular temporary exhibitions.
3. The international sport of rowing: One of the world’s most significant collections of rowing memorabilia, charting the sport from ancient beginnings to present day, is held at the Museum. The sport is also celebrated through temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
4. The Wind in the Willows: hugely popular with children and families, this exhibition recreates the timeless E H Shepard illustrations from Kenneth Grahame's famous novel, taking visitors on a journey through the world famous riverside tale of Mr Toad and his friends.

Since opening in August 1998 the Museum has received numerous awards including the National Heritage/NPI Museum of the Year award and the Sandford Award For Heritage Education.

Location, opening and ticket information

• The River & Rowing Museum, Mill Meadows, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 1BF. Tel. 01491 415600.
• The Museum, terrace café and shop are open every day from 10am - 5.30pm in summer and 10am - 5pm in the winter
• Tickets give FREE admission for a whole year!
• Admission is just £8 for adults, £6 for children aged four and over, FREE for children aged three and under and £6 for senior citizens and concessions
• Free parking for visitors
• Members of the British Armed Forces and their families receive discounted tickets.
• The River & Rowing Museum is part of the Thames Valley Museums Group (TVMG) Family Friendly initiative - a scheme that brings together 29 Museums across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, to promote their popular appeal to the whole family
• Signatory to the Kids in Museums Manifesto
• Art Fund members are entitled to free admission

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