On Wednesday 19 November, the Contemporary Art Society hosted their 20th Artist’s Table with Sir Richard Long CBE RA at the Royal Geographical Society, London raising over £130,000. Sir Long kindly donated six unique works to benefit the charity.
Known for his conceptual practice, Long has been a significant figure in British art since the late 1960s. His work is rooted in durational experiences in the land, notably the act of walking, first exemplified in his seminal work A Line Made By Walking (1967).
The CAS has previously acquired three works by the artist, including Delabole Spiral (1981) presented to Graves Gallery, Sheffield Museums, and two works from the Mississippi Mud series (1991), presented to Tate and Bristol Museums. In 2017, the CAS organised a Patrons trip to Norfolk's Houghton Hall to visit the site-specific works by Long in the grounds of the stately home, with a tour by the artist himself.
The event was made possible with an outstanding committee Chaired by CAS Trustee Cathy Wills and guest list including: Raimund Berthold & Paul Ettlinger, Lord Cholmondeley, Tommaso Corvi-Mora, Tony Cragg, Caroline Douglas, George & Natasha Duffield, Tassos Economou, Liesl Fichardt, Daniel Herrmann, Jonathan & Soo Hitchin, India Rose James, Anthony & Sophie Kingsley, Nicolette Kwok, Richard Long, Lord & Lady Lupton, Keith Morris, Tim & Andrew Pirrie-Franks, Isabelle von Ribbentrop, Varvara Roza, Annabelle & Jeremy Scholar, Dasha Shenkman, Robert Suss, Mary Wolridge & Anna Yang.
photo: Alfi Moss-White
photo: Alfi Moss-White
photo: Alfi Moss-White
Guests were welcomed with MarGin Matchmakers, sparkling wine, kindly donated by Domaine Evremond, and wines by Jeroboam and Chateau Chauvin in the Royal Geographical Society’s historic Map Room. Professor Joe Smith, Director Royal Geographic Society welcomed guests who were then led next door into the Main Hall for a delicious dinner, catered by Lodge. Each of seven dinner tables were named after one of Richard’s walks with the first one being Mountain to Mountain, Ireland which Richard completed in 1980. After the main course, guests were treated to an insightful In Conversation between Sir Richard Long and Daniel Hermann, Ardalan Curator of Modern and Contemporary art at The National Gallery, before enjoying a warm festive dessert. After dinner guests enjoyed perusing behind the scenes with Professor Joe Smith, Director of The Royal Geographical Society.
Please note that this event was a charitable fundraiser. The proceeds go towards the Contemporary Art Society's mission to champion and support museum collections around the country.
