Society of Graphic Art
The Society of Graphic Art (renamed Society of Graphic Fine Art in 1988) is a British arts organisation established in 1919.
History
[edit]The Society of Graphic Fine Art was founded as the Society of Graphic Art in 1919 by a group of etching students from the LCC Central School of Art, led by Frank Lewis Emanuel, as a reaction to the post-war incursion of Modern Art. The Prominent Royal Academician Frank Brangwyn, was invited to be the first president, with Emanuel as Vice-President. Emanuel was to remain a significant force in the society until 1946, when he tendered his resignation as President.[1]
The Society was formed:
for the purpose of holding periodical exhibitions of all the various forms of black and white art in a comprehensive and dignified manner. Its aim will be to further the interests of British and Colonial artists who produce, in monochrome, examples of sound draughtsmanship in pencil, pen-and-ink, monotype, silver-point, dry-point, and in the various methods of engraving on metal, wood, stone, etc. The scope and scale of the scheme is purposely large, as it is desired to form, for the first time in this country, a powerful and thoroughly comprehensive body representing what has truly been described as the most potent and varied side of British art.[2]
According to a respected art journal in 1921, "The foundation of a body to protect the existence of draughtsmanship was never more needed than at the present time." The editorial welcomed the formation of the SGA, as part of "a renascent school of thought", and praised the inaugural exhibition, held at the RBA Galleries in Suffolk Street, London on 1–29 January, 1921.[3] By international standards, the SGA was a late starter: the Canadian Society of Graphic Art was formed in 1904, and the Society of American Graphic Artists in 1915.
The Society held an annual exhibition in London of members' work until 1933 when economic pressures prompted the committee to make that year's exhibition Open to non-members. Fees for registration and hanging provided the society income above and beyond commission on sales of artwork. The annual exhibition has remained in London apart from four years (2001-2004) when it was held in Bath.[1]
The Society was briefly known as the Society of Graphic Artists before the name was changed to Society of Graphic Fine Art on 1 January 1988, in an attempt to mitigate the commercial implication of the word “graphic”[1]. The society retains its regard for draughtsmanship but embraces far more variety in practice than the original "black and white" Society.
Today, the Society:
exists to promote and exhibit original works of high quality in colour or black and white. This includes traditional and contemporary media. The emphasis is on excellence in drawing and draughtsmanship, demonstrated by hand.[4]
Membership
[edit]After an artist has successfully submitted work to two SGFA Open exhibitions, they are eligible to apply for associate membership. Applicants are required to demonstrate "a high level of ability in their finished work, supported by the addition of preparatory material e.g., sketches."[5] After three years, an associate member (ASGFA) may be elected to full membership (SFGA).
A complete list of members (honorary, full and associate) is maintained on the Society's website.[6]
Honorary Members
[edit]Naomi Alexander ROI Hon SGFA
David Brooke NAPA PPSGFA Hon SGFA
George Butler Hon SGFA
Dorothy Cross SWA Hon SGFA
Mick Davies Hon RBSA, Hon SGFA
Jacqueline Devereux PPSGFA HonSGFA
Marlie Dry Hon SGFA
Robert J Geary Hon SGFA
William Geller FRSA PPSGFA Hon SGFA
Fay Glazebrook Hon SGFA
Dr Jo Hall AOI PPSGFA HonSGFA
Dr Libby Horner Hon SGFA
Geraldine Jones Hon SGFA
Roger Lewis UKCPS PPSGFA Hon SGFA
Keith Manning Kennedy Hon SGFA
Anita Klein Hon SGFA
Michael J Taylor Hon SGFA
Angela Williams Hon SGFA
Les Williams PPSGFA Hon SGFAList of Presidents and Chairs
[edit]1922 Sir Frank Brangwyn RA: President
1923 Mr Frank S Emmanuel: Chairman
1927 T H Lambert, Miss A Hope & Others: Acting Presidents
1931 – 1936 Miss Louis Thompson and Miss Rose Hope: Acting Presidents
1934 Mr J C Moody: In the Chair
1935 Mr Frank Marriot: In the Chair
1936 Miss D E Bradford: In the Chair
1937 Sir Frank Brangwyn, RA: President
1937 Miss Louis Thompson: In the Chair
1938 Miss D E Bradford: In the Chair
1939 Miss Evelyn Buckton: Acting President
1940 Mr Frank S Emmanuel: Acting President
1948 Sir Frank Brangwyn, RA: President
1961 Mr J C Moody: President
1962 Mr Albert Berbank, AE, FRSA: President
1966 Mr Cecil Stuart Tresilian: President
1966 – 1974 Mr DVM Playfair, DFA (Lond.) FRSA: President
1977 Mr Francis J Winter, RE: President
1981 Mr William Geller, FRSA: President
1983 – 1994 Mrs Lorna Kell, FSBA, FRSA: President
1994 – 1999 Miss Jean Canter, RMS, UKCPS: President
1999 – 2000 Mr Michael Taylor, Dip. Arch, RIBA, FRAI, UA: Chairman
2001 – 2005 Mr David Brooke, NAPA, BSA, BA: President
2006 – 2010 Mr Roger Lewis, UKCPS: President
2011 Mr Will Taylor: President
2011 – 2014 Dr Jo Hall, AOI: President
2014 – 2019 Jackie Devereux: President
2019 – 2024 Les Williams: President
2024 to Present Dr Susan Poole: PresidentReferences
[edit]- ^ a b c One Hundred Years. The Society of Graphic Fine Arts. 2018. ISBN 978-1-5272-3172-6.
- ^ Salaman, Malcolm C. (1920). "The Society of Graphic Art". The International Studio. 72 (284–287). New York: John Lane Company: 13–22. ISSN 0343-6993.
- ^ "Society of Graphic Art". The Connoisseur. 59: 124. February 1921.
- ^ "SFGA - OESS2". sgfa.oess1.uk. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
- ^ "Join Us – Society of Graphic Fine Art". Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ "Members – Society of Graphic Fine Art". Retrieved 22 November 2024.