Lloyd’s Art Group Autumn Exhibition declared a huge success
The Synergy sponsored event raised over £800 for The Don Coombes Trust.
Last week saw the Lloyd’s Art Group Autumn Exhibition that is held annually in Lloyd’s, for the first time professionally sponsored by The Synergy Group, Global Re and St. James’s Place Management (The Hardy Group). It was widely considered the best show in recent years.
Susannah Hubert and Martin Hitt are now in their second year organising the event and have completely revitalised it, with ten of this year’s 37 artists exhibiting for the first time. Whilst revitalising the event, they have also held true to the exhibition’s heritage, with a handful of the artists still present since the group’s founding in 1963.
In total, 119 items were on show and sales totalled £5640 of which £830 (15%) is paid to the Coombe Trust Fund which the group has been proud to support since its inception. Founded by ex-Lloyd’s Broker Don Coombe, the Trust is now run by his son David Coombe and for more than 50 years it has helped disabled or disadvantaged children in London.
Both David and Don Coombe together with some 200 invitees attended the opening party on Monday 10th November which was a hugely well-attended event that was kindly catered by the Brokers Wine Bar in Leadenhall Market (who are concurrently hosting a second collection of Lloyd’s Art Group work).
Speaking briefly about the trust and thanking the organisers for all their hard work and congratulating them on the success of a very impressive show, Mr Coombe expressed his delight that over the years the Lloyd’s Art Group has raised more than £30,000. He handed out prizes to the artwork awarded ‘Best in Show’ which was a haunting oil painting ‘Girls’ by Lucinda Arundel and ‘Best Newcomer’ which was awarded to Cos Gerolemou for fine walnut wood carvings.
The Lloyd’s Art Group now has a very fine artist base including members of the Royal Marine Society of Artists, artists who have also had their work displayed in the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition and many who are represented by galleries or hold exhibitions elsewhere. The committee are excited by the standard of work that the group is now attracting.
Brian Thorogood, Head of Evaluations at Compre Administrators, who attended the opening night said: “A joy! Lloyd’s Art Group has come of age with its 2008 exhibition at which the standard of the exhibits has improved beyond recognition. Out are the rows of worthy but poorly executed watercolours that were the staple of past exhibitions and in are vibrant and exciting examples of modern artwork. Well done to all those involved in the organising of this exhibition which is now an essential date in my calendar.”
On the final day a prize draw was made to win a piece of photographic art of the Lloyd’s Atrium by Susannah Hubert. The draw was made by Geoff Frampton (artist and retired treasurer of the group) and the winner was Peter Matthews of Global Re.
Next year’s exhibition will open on Monday 30th November and run until Friday 4th December in the Old Library in Lloyd’s and a year round exhibition of Lloyd’s Art Group work can be seen at the Brokers Wine Bar in Leadenhall Market.
The group is open to people who work in Lloyd’s or the London Insurance Market, whether working or retired, and to members of their immediate family.
Artists who are interested in joining the group should visit www.lloydsartgroup.co.uk or contact Susannah@lloydsartgroup.co.uk or call 07789 071887.
The Lloyd’s Art Group Autumn Exhibition
A Synergy banner in the entrance of the Old Library at Lloyd’s