Formed in 1924, the Society of Sussex Painters, Printmakers and Sculptors (SSP) are celebrating their centennial with an inspiring exhibition. ‘As We See It Now’ showcases the work of current SSP members. Additionally, Worthing Museum is bolstering this display with a selection of work from its permanent collection.
Who are the Society of Sussex Painters?
The original SSP members were established London artists. They had gravitated to Sussex to find inspiration and respite in the countryside. SSP would annually exhibit at Worthing Museum & Art Gallery, as well as other Sussex galleries. The society have continued to exhibit to the present day and have returned to Worthing to celebrate their 100th year.
Between 1930 and 1950 the SSP was closely connected with the Brighton School of Art. Many of the school’s eminent tutors exhibited with SSP at prestigious venues. This included the principal E. A. Sallis Benney, Charles Knight, Louis Ginnett, Dorothy Coke and Luther Roberts. Famous SSP members included Arthur Rackham, Morgan Rendle and Claude Muncaster. From the 1950s onwards, printmakers and sculptors were included in the membership, reflecting more commercial forms of art and design. SSP are proud to present this exhibition of work of past and present members. Moreover, exhibiting in a venue where it all began 100 years ago is incredibly special.
About ‘As We See It Now’
Having opened in early March, As We See It Now demonstrates the high standard of traditional, hand crafted art forms, which celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Sussex. The exhibition features 18 practising painters, illustrators, sculptors and printmakers.
Exhibitors: Graham Allum; Helen Armstrong; John Armstrong; Janet Ballard; Margaret McGregor Betts; Lucy Bristow; Davina Colmer; Amanda Rosenstein Davidson; Jane Jukes; Caroline Marsland; Penny Marler; Shirley May; Terri Micklam; Jane Palmer; Lucy Parker; Orna Schneerson Pascal; Janet Roland; Robin Roward.
Worthing Museum’s Permanent Collection
To accompany the exhibition, Worthing Museum has an additional display of work from previous SSP members. They all exhibited at the museum between the 1920s and 1960s. The pieces are now part of the museum’s permanent collection.
Averil Burleigh (1883-1949)
Madonna of the Peach Trees, tempera on canvas. Accession number: 827
Averil Burleigh was a Sussex based artist. She was a member of the Society of Sussex Painters, Sculptors and Printmakers. Also, she was a member of the Society of Women Artists and the Sussex Women’s Art Club. Her paintings focused on female figures inspired by Pre-Raphaelite painters and the Nazarene movement. Her work is noted for her use of tempera, a technique using pigments mixed with a water soluble binder medium like eggs.
Bertram Nicholls (1883-1974)
Pointe de Brescon, Martigues, pencil on paper. Accession number: 784
Born in Manchester, Nicholls studied with Reginald Barber at the Slade. Nicholls studied old masters in Madrid for some time before moving back to England and settling down in Sussex. He picked up painting ‘en plein air (in the outdoors) when painting landscapes. He was also inspired by 18th century painters like Joshua Reynolds and Richard Wilson.
Juliet Pannett (1911-2005)
Portrait of Lady Stern, chalk and pastel. Accession number: 1970/93
Chalk and pastel Accession number: 1970/93
Pannett began her career as a news illustrator for the Sussex County Magazine, aged 18. She worked for the Radio Times and the Illustrated London News between 1957 – 1965. Pannett painted portraits of nine British Prime Ministers including Edward Heath, Margaret Thatcher and Alec Douglas-Home. Alongside this, Pannett was also commissioned to paint two portraits of Queen Elizabeth II and drawings of her sons.
Isabel Wrightson (1890-1971)
Gas (Gas Works), watercolour. Accession number: 1971/1
Isabel Wrightson was an artist who worked predominantly in watercolours and oils. Between 1915-1950, she worked as an art teacher or Art Mistress in secondary schools around Croydon. After her retirement from teaching, she moved to Worthing and continued to paint.
Berenger Benger (1868-1935)
Country Church, watercolour. Accession number: 1962/3585
Berenger Benger worked predominantly as a watercolour artist. His works often focused on landscape and town scenes. Many have commented on the atmospheric and Impressionist style of his art. Thirty-three of his works are in the art collection here at Worthing Museum, many of which were donated by a Worthing resident in 1962.
Ernest Alfred Sallis Benney (1894-1966)
A Sussex Barn, oil on canvas. Accession number: 1929
Ernest Alfred Sallis Benney was a painter, designer and art teacher, with a particular focus on developing art education. Throughout his career he taught at several art schools including the Brighton School of Art. In 1934 he was appointed Director of Art Education to the Brighton Education Committee and Principal of the Brighton College of Art. Benney’s work as an educator and artist were fundamental to the development of the Brighton College of Art. This later became the University of Brighton
As We See it Now: The Society of Sussex Painters at 100 is a free exhibition at Worthing Museum. It runs until Sunday 2nd June. You can visit the exhibition and additional display any time during Museum Opening times.