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Portfolio for Ivy Smith - Commissionaportrait
Ivy Smith is one of East Anglia’s most acclaimed painters. As well as single portraits of men, women and children, Ivy Smith has particular experience in double and group portraits, and in working on a very large scale. Several of her large scale multiple portraits are in public collections and she has completed numerous notable private commissions.
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| Education |
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Walthamstow School of Art, London
Central School of Arts and Crafts, London
Chelsea School of Art, London
Royal Academy Schools, London
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| Awards |
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1969 - Royal Academy Gold Medal
1970 - Kasmin Gallery Prize
1978 - Eastern Arts Award
1981 - Third prize, John Player Awards, NPG
1983 - Specially Commended, John Player Awards, NPG
1983 - Eastern Arts Award
1985 - Specially Commended, John Player Awards, NPG
1986 - Bradford International Print Biennale
1986 - First Prize, John Player Award, National Portrait Gallery
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| Selected Commissions |
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Portrait of Sir Richard and Sir David Attenborough for the National Portrait Gallery
Battle Hospital, Reading
National Trust for Wales and Oriel 31
Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital
Jerwood Commission for Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
North Kesteven District Council
Ross on Wye Community Hospital
Represented in the following public collections:
National Portrait Gallery, London
Graves Art Gallery, Sheffield
Castle Museum, Norwich
LeamingtonSpa Art Gallery, Warwickshire
Eastern Arts Association, Cambridge
Sealink Limited
Sussex University
Sheffield University
Winchester Health Authority
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| Group Exhibitions |
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1992 - Hortus Cambrensis, touring Wales
1992 - Ten years of the John Player Award National Portrait Gallery
1994 - On the Wall, Norwich Festival, Arcade Gallery,Norwich
1997 - City Gallery, Leicester
1998/99 - John Russell Gallery, Ipswich
2000 - Edinburgh Printmakers Gallery
2001 - Eat Drink and Be Merry, Touring London, York and Norwich
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| Solo Exhibitions |
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1984 - Fermoy Gallery, Kings Lyn
1985 - Oriel 31, Welshpool
1985 - University Library Gallery, Sheffield
1986 - Norwich Castle Museum
1987 - Contact Gallery, Norwich
1991 - Wingfield Arts and Music Suffolk
1995 - Art Workers Guild, London
1996 - School House Gallery, Norfolk
2000 - Gainsborough’sHouse, Suffolk
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| Artist's Statement |
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“My portraits are based on direct observation and my intention is to capture the humanity and individuality of the person I am painting. My work is strong in composition, with rich clear colour. It is very important to me that the work should be a good painting as well as a good likeness.”
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| Statement |
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“I can paint the portrait directly from life, giving a lively and immediate feel to the painting. As these paintings need commitment of time by the sitter, they tend to be small (eg. 20 x 24 inches) and take ten to twelve hours (usually two, two-hour sittings over three days). This has proved a good way to paint children. Larger paintings can be done in this way but need more sittings.
Alternatively, I can make drawings directly from the sitter(s), then using these drawings I paint the portrait in my studio. This is the best method for double or group portraits and allows for dynamic compositional relationships. This involves a first sitting of about an hour (with all the subjects together if possible) to work out the composition for the painting. After approval of this by commissioner and subject(s), I will arrange to draw each person individually (each drawing takes three to four hours) and paint from these studies. Depending on the size of the painting I would need one to two months for completion.
For drawings, I work directly from the sitter, and a half-length portrait would take five to six hours a head three hours. I usually work life size; smaller scale work would take less time. All prices include framing.” |
| Travel nationally |
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Yes |
| Travel internationally |
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Yes |
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| Prices |
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| Portrait Format: |
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Drawings |
From £ |
700 |
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$ | 1000 |
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Head and Shoulders |
From £ |
2500 |
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$ | 3500 |
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Half Length | From £ |
4000 |
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$ | 6000 |
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3/4 Length | From £ |
5000 |
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$ | 7500 |
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Full Length | From £ |
6000 |
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$ | 9000 |
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Double Portrait | From £ |
5000 |
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$ | 7500 |
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Group Portrait | From £ |
8000 |
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$ | 12000 |
The
Prices quoted are for the standard mediums of oil on canvas and bronze
(in
the case of sculpture).
For other media, prices may vary, please enquire
directly with us for more specific quotes.
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| Press Quotes |
“Her huge multiple portrait is a true tour-de-force as astonishing for its ambition and sheer nerve as its evident accomplishment.”
— William Packer, Financial Times
“I would single out the work of Ivy Smith. She has consistently submitted good portraits over the years and has a very direct style. Her painting of a woman in a bright blue dress is successful as an uncomplicated composition with a likeness that is poignant with feeling.”
— Colin Amery, Financial Times
“This is a very remarkable painting, enormously impressive and a triumph of organization both in terms of line and groups of colours. It is bold and stylish and contemporary; wonderfully dynastic and although clearly differentiating between the individuals portrayed there is a feeling of one family. It is a spectacular and ambitious work, and an amazing record of a particular moment in time.”
— Judges comment on ‘Golden Wedding’ in ‘Art and Artists’ 1986.
“Ivy Smith’s portraits are non-anecdotal, and Golden Wedding – with 15 figures, the largest group she has painted – is a study of the shapes people take up in unconscious movements, the whole configuration tipped to accentuate the impression of space and organisation…The impact of Blamey and van der Weydan on her work is apparent in the areas of colour within clearly defined shapes.”
— Colin Chinery, Eastern Daily Press, 1996
“Ivy Smith beat a record 750 entrants to claim the John Player Portrait Award… The Panel of eminent judges, which included Roger de Grey, president of the Royal Academy, Sir Robin Phillipson, past president of the Royal Scottish Academy and Dr John Hayes, director of the National Portrait Gallery, said her work was ‘spectacular and ambitious’ ”
— Caroline Davies, The Evening Standard, 1986
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