Talk #121

Manchester Academy of Fine Arts

Three members of the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts, John Hewitt, Julia Midgley and Professor Tim Brennan, will be discussing their relationship with drawing in conversation with Sophie Benson.

John Hewitt trained as a fine artist and printmaker, using drawing as a primary form. He completed a PhD on memory and drawing in 2008. His drawings are in collections such as the V&A, the Museum of London and Government Art Collection, John was awarded the Hugh Casson Prize for Drawing at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2016 and is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Art.

Julia Midgley is an artist, printmaker and documentary artist. Direct observational drawing is the bedrock of her practice. Her reportage, documentary commissions reflect an interest in war art, and medicine. Her work on “War Art & Surgery”, a WW1 Centenary drawing project, in collaboration with The Royal College of Surgeons of England and the M.O.D. documented military medical training and the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers, were shortlisted for the John Ruskin Drawing Prize.

Professor Tim Brennan, Head of Art & Performance at Manchester School of Art, studied Fine Art at the Slade School of Art under Stuart Brisley and History at Ruskin College Oxford. An independent artist, poet, writer and curator whose practice is broad and includes, performance, sound, drawing and painting. His work is in many collections. He has recently published a book called ‘A Drawing Ceremony’.

This talk is in conjunction with an exhibition by the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts at Manchester Cathedral called ‘The Meditation of Drawing’. September 11th - October 22nd 2023. All three speakers writings on Drawing will accompany the exhibition.

Find out more about MAFA at www.mafa.org.uk