QN SUMMER 23 FINAL

The President’s 50th Annual Exhibition Walkabout
The Second World War James Holland & Keith Burns - the new book
Looking at the exhibition as a whole, bearing
in mind the totally different surroundings,
the overall visual effect was reassuringly
commendable, although we were missing
the number of works by some of the top
artists we are used to seeing.
The lack of space between the screens
also made it more difficult to view work
compared to our customary space in the
Mall Galleries and previous venues.
As an initial impression, many otherwise
notable examples on display were,
perhaps, let down by fairly basic elements.
Use of light and shade, unnatural looking
figures, inappropriate settings and, most
importantly, use of the limitless forms
provided by clouds, when part of a scene
set in or against a sky, could be enhanced
by their considered use to create
atmosphere or visual attraction. The use
of colour can also create attention and
enhance atmosphere where appropriate,
be it dramatic or subtle.
I am reluctant to specify specific works
which deserve positive appreciation, as the
spacing of the screens inhibited my overall
perception, but among the conventional
subjects, Chris Draper’s treatment of the
highly polished silver Spitfire in a hangar
absolutely sparkled. As a contrast, Chris
French showed Stirlings at dispersal with
ground crew seeking shelter from a
cloudburst, a cyclist in the foreground trailing
very realistic spray across the tarmac.
Interesting stories or locations were in
abundance and snow was effectively used
by Malcolm Root who used very believable
tracks in the white stuff leading to a parked
Constellation middle distance. Phil Hadley’s
DH60 turning low over a snowy field had
the added interest of grazing sheep
below, more interested in finding grass to
eat than the passing plane. The fishermen
featured by Lee Lacey casting their lines
by a peaceful river were similarly unmoved
by a Chipmunk passing low overhead. In
a similar vein, Anthony Collins’ Shooting
Stars taking off with intent for a mission in
Korea are contrasted by locals absorbed in
collecting crops alongside the runway.
Albatross CIII he has just dispatched. The
scene at wartime Duxford by Phil Jackson
tells a story featuring the P-51 of Lt Stier, under
scrutiny having landed safely with a battle
shattered tail. One of John Wynne Hopkins’
favourite Sunderlands manoeuvres over an
Atlantic convoy steaming in unmolested
lines below, whereas Michael Daley has low
flying Mosquitos over fishing boats in a windswept
stormy sea.
Ted Runciman uses interesting back lighting
for his F-35 Lightning taking off, and Chris
Tyler attracts with a dramatic view of a
strikingly lit Concord landing. Paul Couper
chooses back-lighting for an impressive
depiction of a Tristar tanker with two
customers lining up to take on fuel and an
impressive wall of cloud as a backdrop
setting. Excellently sketchy but impressively
lifelike figures feature in the depiction of a
fragile looking flying machine displaying
at Blackpool by Vincent Nevin.
There were several portraits to add variety,
with Jane French showing a varied group
of five posed heads, and Alex Hamilton’s
study shows an alert Chipmunk pilot, as
seen from the back seat.
Finally, there were quite a number of
hangar studies resulting from the Regional
sketching days, with some particularly
absorbing semi-abstract compilations by
the Calows; Robert with stylised shapes
backing a side view of Cosford’s Me163,
David with Puma main and tail rotors woven
into a design. For something completely
different, Paul Warrener’s Tornado painted
on an immaculate brick wall was probably
the most innovative idea of all.
As usual, many more works which deserve a
mention, but time constraints have caught
up with me!
Michael Turner P&FGAvA
OF
AVIATION PAINTINGS THEYEAR
The
GUILD OF AVIATION ARTISTS
Annual Summer Exhibition
23 - 25 JUNE 2023
THE CONSERVATION SPACE
IWM DUXFORD AIRFIELD
CAMBS, CB22 4QR
Detail from “Lightning Strikes Twice”
- a painting by Michael Turner FGAvA (President)
Friday 23rd by invitation only
Open to Duxford
Summer Airshow visitors
Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th
T: 03331 302223 | E: admin@gava.org.uk | www.gava.org.uk
A major new book has been published
on the history of WW2. It is written by
the acclaimed historian James Holland
and lavishly illustrated by our own Keith
Burns GAvA. We asked Keith to give a
background to this large scale project.
Rowland White is a member of the RAF
Club and happened to see my exhibition
there. He is also a creative director at
Penguin Random House. I met him at
Flying Legends and he asked if I’d be
interested in working with James Holland
on a series of 12 Ladybird books on the
history of WW2. Obviously I said yes!
I then met James Holland in 2017 and
over the next five years we worked
through the 12 books covering all the
years and battles of the war. They were
published as part of the ‘Ladybird Expert’
series aimed at adult readership. These
books were then drawn together into one
volume and published this year in a 348
page hardback fully illustrated book by
Penguin Michael Joseph. RRP £30.
Although it’s been a delight to reach the
end, now it’s over, I miss working on it.
With 288 illustrations and little interference
I doubt I shall ever work on anything like it
again. Looking through it I find it interesting
to see how the painting loosens up over
the time it took to complete.
Keith Burns GAvA
Keith’s stunning view
of a silver B17 on a
raid over Germany
is the impressive
cover illustration.
The back showcases
a selection of the
288 illustrations which
feature inside.
Choice of interesting settings was also
used by Pat Forrest to feature a Spitfire and
Hurricane overflying Capel-le Ferne, and
a dramatic view of a Sikorsky helicopter
banking over Mumbles Head as portrayed
by Ieuan Leyton-Matthews was an eyecatcher.
Derek Blois’ Apache helicopter
fills the frame in an intimidating aggressive
pose, whilst more restful was a Bleriot with St
Michael’s Mount beyond, by Simon Milan.
Air combat was featured by Graham
Turner, his simple focus on the two WW1
protagonists clearly records Albert Ball in
his SE5 climbing away from the smoking
Keith’s skill at
depicting all theatres
of war are clearly
shown throughout.
His figurework is also
an outstanding part
of the collection.
Brilliant!
12 GUILD OF AVIATION ARTISTS QUARTERLY NEWS SUMMER 2023
GUILD OF AVIATION ARTISTS QUARTERLY NEWS SUMMER 2023 13