Ray Balkwill: The River’s Voice

The Exe estuary has been the mainspring of Ray Balkwill’s art for over four decades.

Ray has always been a strong advocate of painting ‘en plein air’ but for this latest series of paintings he chose to work in the studio from quick sketches. Therefore, this new work is more about the ‘spirit’ of the landscape, rather than the landscape itself. In his mixed media assemblages Ray uses weathered fragments of old boats that have been washed up on the foreshore. Their multi-layered surfaces of neglect and decay reveal great riches; the weather-worn patina becoming the focus of the work itself. These simple, discarded fragments have all known previous lives, yet still speak and invite rebirth.

Born in Exeter, Ray Balkwill is a professional artist who graduated from Exeter College of Art. An Academician in the South West Academy, he has held may successful solo exhibitions, as well as showing in group and open exhibitions including the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour and the Royal West of England Academy. Ray is author of seven art books including Ray Balkwill’s Exe Estuary.

The works on show in the exhibition are for sale through the Shop at RAMM. Mounted prints and greeting cards are also available.