|
On Friday 17th September local artist Victor Spink on behalf of the ‘Chertsey’s
Fine Artists in Runnymede’ accepted a prize in the form of a silver
medallion for Kate Merrigan’s painting ‘Movement and Rhythm’
from the Deputy Mayor of the French town of Joinville-le-pont, Gérard
Outtier. Victor then gave a short response of thanks in english to the
assembled French artists and well wishers who had come to a private view
of an art exhibition in Joinville Town Hall as part of the French national
‘Entente Cordiale’ celebrations. The Runnymede Town Twinning
Association had been invited by The Mayor of Joinville Monsieur Pierre
Aubry and our French counterpart of town twinning, Chairman Dr René
Dennilauler. In the large exhibition gallery the Union Flag hung side
by side with the French Tricolour. Joinville-le-Pont is on the south-east
outskirts of Paris.
There were 37 paintings from the 12 artists of Chertsey’s F.A.I.R.
six of which were sold by the end of the exhibition. The most notable
painting sold from the Runnymede group was by the well known Chertsey
Artist, Margaret Robinson. Ex Mayor of Runnymede Cllr. John Ashmore had
three fine landscape paintings hanging at the entrance to the Runnymede
set.
There were hundreds of works of a high standard by Joinville local artists
on view on the numerous screens in the gallery. There was some beautiful
sculpture, some of which had been sold in the first few minutes. The French
artists were extremely friendly to Victor and his wife and there was a
lively exchange of ideas even though neither could speak each other’s
language.
The next day Victor and Nicky Spink were treated to great cordiality by
members of the Council, Olivier Aubry and Gérard Outtier and others.
There was a splendid market tour where the Chertsey pair were introduced
with genuine friendliness to many residents and traders. After lunch the
highlight of the afternoon was a visit to artists studios in the town,
including Susan Hackett who had won the main prize. In the evening representatives
of Joinville Town Council were the hosts to Victor and Nicky at ‘La
Petit Robinson’ situated by the River Marne, an establishment which
specialises in traditional Parisian ‘Guinguette’ style of
dancing and fine food.
Victor had given Joinville-le-Pont Council officer Laure Taar a book of
his illustrations as a gesture of thanks for all the practical help that
she had given the artists from Chertsey to get the paintings there. The
exhibition lasted for 8 days and was most successful. Peter Poole, Chairman
of the Runnymede Town Twinning Association hopes that Joinville artists
or performers will come to Runnymede for exhibitions or give performances
in our Borough in the near future.
Victor Spink. September 2004
|