Young artists, but methods of old masters in Norwich exhibition

Mask cast, oil on canvas, by Olivia Crane on show at Fairhurst Gallery. Image: Olivia Crane (Image: Olivia Crane)

Young will meet old when a Norwich gallery hosts an exhibition by two young artists, both renowned for their classical work.

London-based artists Olivia Crane and Georgina Stanley both attended the Florence Academy of Art, where they learnt the techniques of the Old Masters and the 'sight-size' method.

The Fall of Light, which opens at the Fairhurst Gallery on December 1, includes paintings and drawings.

Unlike many young artists on the current scene, the subjects committed to canvas by the pair revolve around favourites of artists down the ages: still-life, portraiture and landscape.

Crab, oil on canvas, by Georgina Stanley, 2017. Image: Georgina Stanley (Image: Georgina Stanley)

Olivia Crane, who is based in Hackney, studied Art History and Classical World Culture at Newcastle University before moving to Italy for two years to learn the techniques of the old masters.

She said: 'My current work is an amalgamation of all the influences I've encountered over the years as a student of the traditional arts in Italy and assistant to contemporary artists working in today's art world.

'I hope to reanimate traditional methods of painting and drawing in a contemporary context with my work. I believe this type of representational art still has a significant relevance in our artistic dialogue today.'

Georgina Stanley started painting at school, but it wasn't until she attended the Florence Academy of Art in 2011 that she began to explore still life and portraiture more fully.

Untitled, pencil on paper, Olivia Crane 2015. Image: Olivia Crane (Image: Olivia Crane)

In 2014 she organised Represent, an exhibition in London to promote the work of contemporary realist painters from around the world.

Now working full time in Brixton, she works from life and in natural light, using a combination of oil and charcoal. She often chooses perishable items to represent the fleeting moments before decay sets in.

Nina Fowler, of the Fairhurst Gallery, said: 'We have decided to end the year with a return to the traditional. Georgina and Olivia represent the art of academic painting and drawing.

'Having mastered their techniques under the guidance of esteemed tutors in Florence, we are proud to showcase their skills.

Still life with tomatoes, oil on board,by Olivia Crane 2015. Image: Olivia Crane (Image: Olivia Crane)

'Sometimes with a contemporary twist on the classical still-life, their paintings and drawings are always executed to capture the essence of what they are observing and, of course, the fall of light.

'It is always refreshing to see a younger generation of artists appreciating and aspiring to recreate the techniques of the old masters.'

Alongside the exhibition Fairhurst will also be launching their new Gallery Shop, which will stock a range of special editions made by emerging and internationally established artists and designers.

There will also be a selection of framed and unframed prints, plus unique pieces from local and emerging artists to internationally established ones.

Female bust, charcoal on paper, Olivia Crane, 2015. Image: Olivia Crane (Image: Olivia Crane)

Bella Singleton will be represented with a collection of scarves (as stocked in the Tate Modern), photographer David Gwinnutt, fresh from his exhibition at The National Portrait Gallery, will showcase a pair of antique chairs, upholstered with his portrait of artists Gilbert and George, as well as his recent book The White Camera Diaries.

Also available will be sculptures from Royal College graduate Bruce Ingram, Geraldine Swayne (recently named the Best Portrait Painter in Britain – Artlyst 2017), Cat Santos, Nicky Deeley, JD Appleton, Guy Allen, Joni Smith, Nom Kinnear King, Rosie Emerson, Rachel Kurdynowska, Davide Lakshmanasamy John Moore, Jo Stafford, Nina Mae Fowler and Par Avion.

Nina Fowler said: 'We aim to make it a 'go to' spot for buying unique gifts, an extra special treat or simply to browse the latest creations from a wide variety of talent.'

• The Fall of Light, Fairhurst Gallery, Websdales Court, Bedford Street, Norwich, December 1-23, Tues-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm, admission free, 01603614214, fairhurstgallery.co.uk

Still Life with bread and butter, oil on canvas, Olivia Crane, 2015. Image: Olivia Crane (Image: Olivia Crane)