Abstract Art & Music

Until 26 August 2023

Venue: Sir John Madejski Art Gallery Reading Museum

Big, bold and colourful, the Abstract Art exhibition is a joyful display of paintings and sculptures from the Reading Museum collection.

Now with new music inspired by the artworks. For more see https://www.peterdoylemusic.com/abstractartproject 

Abstract art is about much more than imitating the world as we see it and it can be many different things. It can be an exploration of notions that all artists think about like colour, shape, space, composition, or materials. It can be an expression of emotion. It can seduce or repel us with optical effects, and it can be the result of experiment, chance, even accident. Often it demands our attention and always it repays our investigation.

The exhibition includes works by great abstract artists like Terry Frost, Steven Buckley, Prunella Clough and Barbara Rae, with examples of related ceramics and weavings.

Main image - Trinity I (detail) by Albert Irvin

Abstract Art for all exhibition including contemporary commission by Halima Cassell responding to the Romanesque sculpture from Reading Abbey

Art in the Dark – Jan to April 2023

Back by public demand, this year’s Art in the Dark Months programme celebrates all things abstract at a time of year when colour and creativity can light up everyone’s lives. Most activities are for adults, including beginners, and some are for all ages. Explore the list of events below and head to the What's On pages to book.

INTRODUCTION TO ISLAMIC DESIGN: PRACTICAL WORKSHOP WITH ARTIST, HADIL TAMIM

Saturday 21 January, 10.30am – 3.30pm, free, book online, adults

SONGLINES: CREATIVE WORKSHOP WITH ARTIST LISAMARIE GIBBS

Saturday 28 January, 11am – 3.30pm, £55 per person, book online, adults

EXPLORING SPACE IN ABSTRACTION: CREATIVE WORKSHOP WITH ARTIST ROBERT FITZMAURICE

Saturday 4 February, 10.30am – 4pm, £55 per person, book online, adults

ABSTRACT TEXTILES, FASHIONABLE INTERIORS: HANDLING SESSION, BEHIND THE SCENES

Monday 6 February, 10.30am – 12.30pm or 1.30pm – 3.30pm, £12 per person, book online, adults

TRY CIRCLE APPLIQUE: PRACTICAL SEWING WORKSHOP

Tuesday 21 February, 10.30am – 12.30pm or 1.30pm – 3.30pm, £5 per person, book online, adults

INTRODUCTION TO ISLAMIC DESIGN: PRACTICAL WORKSHOP WITH ARTIST, HADIL TAMIM (REPEAT)

Saturday 25 February, 10.30am – 3.30pm, free, book online, adults

SCULPTING A RESPONSE TO THE ABBEY STONES: PRESENTATION BY ARTIST, HALIMA CASSELL

Saturday 11 March, 3pm – 4pm, free, book online, all ages

CELEBRATING BISHOPSLAND SILVERSMITHS: DEMONSTRATIONS AND DISPLAYS

Saturday 25 March, 11am – 4pm, free, drop in, all ages

COLOUR, SPACE, SHAPE, FRAME, MOOD: CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP WITH POET, LESLEY SAUNDERS

Saturday 25 March, 11am – 3.30pm, £12 per person, book online, adults