Exhibition runs until October 15th
Grierson Galleries is extremely proud and honoured to host this incredibly special exhibition and book launch. Roger was both one of our artists who’d exhibited with Grierson Galleries over many years, and also a friend.

PLEASE NOTE THE GALLERY WILL BE CLOSED ON SATURDAY 8^th OCTOBER AS WE WILL BE HOSTING OUR BENENDEN ART SHOW AT BENENDEN VILLLAGE HALL. SOME OF ROGER’S WORKS AND BOOKS WILL BE AT THE ART SHOW

Benenden Village Hall – TN17 4DE – is very close by! Come out of the Galley, turn right out of Dorothy Avenue, then first right down Tilsden Lane. Continue to the end, turn left on to Swattenden Lane and continue in to Benenden. The Village Hall is just down from The Bull pub on the right. Free parking

Roger FitzGerald finds inspiration close to home for his fourth and final book. Buildings of Kent sees the painter touring England’s south-eastern corner – capturing streetscapes, seafronts and other special scenes in a county he called home for nearly 30 years. Artist and architect FitzGerald moved to Sevenoaks in 1994, after designing a house for his wife and two young sons. He surveys Kent’s most beautiful buildings − using paintings, drawings and text commentary to express what makes each structure so unique. The likes of Canterbury Cathedral, Knole House and Chartwell are depicted in vivid strokes, along with seafronts, streetscapes and sturdy castles.

Following his previous books Buildings of London and Buildings of New York, Roger provides an informed and passionate study of the county in which he lived for nearly 30 years. Roger’s final exhibition and book launch shows him experimenting like never before: applying charcoal, ink and collaged elements to the paper along with his favoured acrylic paint – using tools as diverse as razor blades, rollers and pieces of card. The results are impressionistic and playful, but always attentive to what makes particular buildings human-centric.

FitzGerald’s paintings have been shown at locations including the Royal Institute of British Architects, Somerset House and The Shard. His work is now in private collections across the world. His previous books studied the buildings of Britain, London and New York – but the pandemic required him to pick more local subject matter. This he was delighted to do, as he enjoyed nothing more than venturing out into the Kent countryside with his camera – either on foot with his wife Lynne, or on his bicycle.

Consequently, the paintings shown here are some of his most personal works.

FitzGerald was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February 2021, but continued with Buildings of Kent with characteristic calm and determination. He completed works and researched the county’s history amid gruelling chemotherapy sessions and medical appointments. Many of the drawings that appear in the book were created in his final weeks while in a hospital bed. They reveal that he never abandoned his architectural training: a pad and pen were all he needed to convey a form.

Roger died peacefully in Tunbridge Wells Hospital on 6 July 2022. He stipulated that all personal profits from the sale of books, prints and paintings in this exhibition should be donated to Pancreatic Cancer UK. Grierson Galleries is donating 10% of its commission to the same charity.

All personal profits from this book and accompanying exhibition are being donated to Pancreatic Cancer UK, a charity which supported him and his family after his diagnosis with the disease in February 2021. Roger died in Tunbridge Wells Hospital on 6 July 2022.

THE BOOK

The book tells two stories. The paintings, sketches and text display the architecture of Kent and its relationship with the history and geography of the county.

In the background is a second, more personal story. On 16 February 2021, Roger was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

He had long held an ambition to write this book and was undaunted by the prospect of doing so while undergoing treatment. Excursions around Kent were fitted in around chemotherapy sessions and the ensuing fatigue. Pen drawings were completed in a hospital room during Roger’s final weeks.

The book ends with a painting of Margate that was left unfinished in Roger’s studio before he sadly passed away, aged 63, on 6 July 2022. At this point, the book was largely finished, with some unfinished text then completed by his son James in line with his wishes.

This book holds tremendous emotional significance to us, Roger’s family, as a symbol of his determination in the face of a cruel disease.

We hope that it will serve as an inspiration to others.

Lynne, James and Will FitzGerald, July 2022

Grierson Galleries is absolutely delighted to be hosting 24 diverse and exciting artists for this year’s South East Open Studios (SEOS) activities! Artists open their homes or their studios to the public every year and this time we’ve been invited to participate – which we’re very excited about!

Every artist will be exhibiting a single piece, each of which will be for sale. The objective is to showcase these artists in one place, whilst also highlighting their individual or shared Studios throughout the SEOS event.

Artists taking part are Caroline Anderson, Louise Pettifer, Jane Gray, Jemimah Patterson, Jeremy Westgate, Nicky Colbran, Clive Dand, Dizzy Pragnell, Liz Betts, David West, Susie Vittay, Claire Dominic, Christine Hopwood, Kate Schuricht, Jade Taylor, Lenka Kalafut, Kristin Watt-Bonar, Clare Winchester, Rosemary Houghton, Liz Bewley, Karen Birchwood, Phil Auden, Scarlett Woodman with Rowena McWilliams also exhibiting one of her eMotion artworks!

The Gallery will be open to the public from Friday 3rd June, each Saturday and Sunday until the exhibition closes after close of play on Sunday 19th June and Wednesdays – Fridays. Open 11am – 4pm. Shut Mondays and Tuesdays.

Do come along, see a wonderful diversity of works – 2D and 3D – and enjoy the company of local artists in a lovely environment. We look forward to welcoming you all!

For further information on the exhibition do get in touch either through annie@griersongalleries.com or on 07970 413492