Court on Canvas: Tennis in Art
Tuesday 22 February, 6–7.30pm
Barber Lecture Theatre
The Barber Institute of Fine Arts will be serving something of an ace later this year with Court on Canvas, the first-ever exhibition of tennis in art. In anticipation of this, we’d like to invite you to hear more about this exciting exhibition – and discuss how you can get involved with the show – at a special presentation evening.
Court on Canvas runs from 27 May to 18 September and will explore how lawn tennis – invented just a mile or so away from the Barber, at 8 Ampton Road, Edgbaston, by Major Harry Gem – has been portrayed in art from the 1870s to modern times.
This major exhibition, curated by the Barber’s Director, Professor Ann Sumner, will include paintings from Victorian painters such as Sir John Lavery through to works by leading contemporary artists like David Hockney and Tom Phillips. It will even include the famous Athena Tennis Girl poster of the 1970s, which was photographed on University of Birmingham tennis courts. Court on Canvas will also be accompanied by a second, historically angled exhibition of tennis memorabilia.
At the presentation event, Professor Sumner will give guests a tantalizing glimpse of some of the paintings, drawings and photographs that will feature in the exhibition, as well as talk about the exciting programme of related events. There will also be an opportunity for you to share your own ideas about how you might contribute to making this unique exhibition even more of a success.
We look forward to meeting you.
If you are interested in attending the event please RSVP to the Barber Institute’s Events Officer Nemone Ryan at events@barber.org.uk or on 0121 414 6985.