Joan Eardley (1921 - 1963) An introduction
Welcome to this intimate display at Rye Art Gallery, showing at part of our exhibition with Natasha cooke Left to the Land
Left to the Land - Oct 24th - Nov 22nd 2026
Joan Eardley (1921-1963) remains one of the most
powerful and distinctively honest voices in post-war British art. Though born in Sussex, her artistic legacy was forged in Scotland through two contrastingly expressive bodies of work.
In her urban studio, she captured the vibrant community spirit and gritty vulnerability of post-war Glasgow street children, sketching and painting them with zero sentimentality against layered tenement walls.
Seeking a raw connection to nature, Eardley split her time with the remote Aberdeenshire fishing village of Catterline, braving intense storms to paint wild, elemental landscapes and seascapes entirely outdoors.
Whether using chalk on paper or embedding coastal grasses directly into her heavily textured oils. Eardley's exceptional draftsmanship and passion for the human and natural elements shine through this small, striking selection of her work.
Joan Eardley (1921-1963)
The Yellow Jumper
Oil and collage on board
On loan from private collection
Joan Eardley (1921-1963)
Thistledown Catterline
oil and collage on board
On loan from private collection
Joan Eardley (1921-1963)
A Field by the sea- No.1
oil on board
On loan from private collection
Left to the Land is kindly supported by Penn Elcom
Curatorial Walk & Talk - Left to the Land
Sat 07 Nov
Join us for an engaging curatorial walk and talk featuring the insightful perspectives of Natasha Cooke, and Dr. Julian Day.
On Saturday November 7th immerse yourself in a unique cultural experience by joining us for an engaging curatorial walk and talk featuring the insightful perspectives of Natasha Cooke, and Dr. Julian Day.
This enlightening session will take place from 3pm until 5pm, offering attendees the opportunity to delve deeper into the themes and concepts presented in the current exhibition. This walk and talk promises to be an enriching experience for all art enthusiasts, collectors, and anyone interested in the creative process.
It is important to note that this event has limited availability, and we encourage anyone interested in participating to purchase their ticket in advance. The cost of admission is set at £12 per ticket, which not only grants you access to this unique event but also supports the continued programming and exhibitions at our gallery.
