The Indiscipline of Painting is an international group exhibition including works by forty-nine artists from the 1960s to now. Selected by British painter Daniel Sturgis, the exhibition considers how abstraction has remained a site of urgent, relevant and critical enquiry for generations of artists over the last 50 years. The exhibition goes on to demonstrate the ways in which the history and legacy of abstract painting continues to inspire artists working today.

This is an incredibly rare opportunity to see paintings by historical and contemporary figures. The show brings together works by British, American and European artists made over the last five decades and features major new commissions and loans. It includes important works by Andy Warhol, Frank Stella, Michael Craig-Martin and Bridget Riley alongside younger artists such as Tomma Abts, Tauba Auerbach, Jacob Kassay and Cheyney Thompson.

The exhibition at Mead Gallery will also feature a new commission by Swiss artist Francis Baudevin.

The Indiscipline of Painting is a collaborative project between Mead Gallery and Tate St Ives, where it opened on 8 October 2011. Arriving at the Mead Gallery from 14 Jan until 10 Mar,the exhibition also draws on the particular context of the significant colour-field abstract paintings which the University of Warwick has collected over the last 50 years, and which are on display across campus.

An events series, including talks, symposia, school tours and family workshops will take place throughout the exhibition.

Mead Gallery and Tate St Ives gratefully acknowledge the support of Arts Council England, The Henry Moore Foundation, The Higher Education Funding Council, and the Swiss Cultural Fund in Britain.

Join Martin Clark, Artistic Director of Tate St Ives, on a virtual video guided tour of the exhibition here

The gallery will be open early on these Saturday mornings. Come along for a curator’s talk followed by a tour of the University of Warwick Collection, focusing on abstract paintings.

Paint big, gold and bright pictures! Have a go at expressing your emotions in colour using thick strokes of paint.

Age 6+

Curator Jeremy Lewison will be in conversation with abstract painter Bernard Frize, discussing Frize’s practice within the context of this exhibition.

Take a hands-on approach to learning and get involved in our Abstract Painting Workshop, run by artist Mary Riley.

Schedule:

6pm Introduction and visit to Mead Gallery Exhibition, ‘The Indiscipline of Painting.’

6.30pm Return to Studio to commence working with ideas. There will be two exciting choices available:
Working in two colours chosen by participants and working from a still life
OR
Project set by your tutor

8.30pm Appraisal and discussion of the work

9.00pm Finish

The essential aim of the Workshop is to discuss and learn a little more about the complexities of ‘abstraction’ and to put into practice what we have learned from our discussions.

The event is has a limited capacity of 15 people.

Use splodges, spirals, squares and circles to capture yourself or another person in paint.

Age: 6+

Take inspiration from the sculpture on campus to create 3D collages.

Age: 6+