Two works from the artist’s commission ‘Points in a Constellation’ have entered the museum’s collection
RAMM commissioned Exeter-based artist Janet Sainsbury in spring 2023. She is known for her contemporary approach to portrait painting. The acquired works, portraits of local artists Amy Shelton and Michelle Sank, were part of this commission which featured four women artists with work in RAMM’s art collection: two Exeter-based contemporary artists, Michelle Sank and Amy Shelton, and two artists with links to the southwest, Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975) and Gillian Ayres (1930-2018). Sainsbury met, photographed and sketched both Sank and Shelton from life in 2023.
Ink and watercolour drawings
Janet Sainsbury said: ‘I’m delighted that two of the artworks I created for my RAMM commission ‘Points in a Constellation’ are now in their permanent art collection.’
Showing my work in the Courtyard Gallery display case encouraged me to make a series of pieces using different media. The two works now going into the collection ‘Amy with Flowers’ and ‘Michelle’ are both ink and watercolour drawings on tracing paper. I love working on this surface, which has a soft and luminous quality.
I am pleased that my drawings of Exeter-based artists Amy Shelton and Michelle Sank will now join the inspirational artworks created by them and held in RAMM’s collection.’
RAMM’s innovative contemporary art programme
RAMM’s Contemporary Art Curator and Programmer Lara Goodband said: ‘With support from Arts Council England and Exeter City Council, RAMM is becoming known for its innovative and exciting contemporary art programme. Many of the artists inspired to create new work by RAMM’s collections live and work in the region.
Exeter-based artist Janet Sainsbury creates hauntingly, beautiful portraits that seem to capture the atmosphere of a person’s personality. Their addition to the collection means RAMM’s visitors will have the opportunity to see them in future displays.’
Find out more about the museum’s contemporary art programme: Contemporary art at RAMM
