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Brighton Nocturne

Artist: Rodger, Willie, RSA RGI DUniv · 1930-2018

Brighton Nocturne

The artist, then Principal Teacher of Art at Clydebank High School was awarded a 3-month residency at the Gardner Art Cetre, University of Sussex at…

The artist, then Principal Teacher of Art at Clydebank High School was awarded a 3-month residency at the Gardner Art Cetre, University of Sussex at the tail end of 1971, funded by the Scottish Arts Council. He was given a studio space and a solo exhibition, and spent his time making pen and ink sketches of parts of the campus, and in particular of nearby Brighton. These resulted in 11 relief prints executed in pure lino, or in lino and woodcut, many with frottage extensively applied to give added texture.

An impression of one of these prints 'Brighton, November' (1992.137) was purchased by the RSA from the RSA AX in 1972 through the David Muirhead Memorial Fund. The 2020 gift by the artist's family included an impression of each of the other of the Brighton prints, making the RSA the only public collection to hold the complete set.

The scene depicted is taken from Brighton Beach looking inland towards the brick support of the Promenade, which is topped by wrought iron railings of the Promenade and pierced by arched-fronted tourist retail outlets below. The print is printed in black from a single keyblock, over a blue frottage which suggests moonlight, which gives the work its title.

The use of frottage (where the impression of a textured surface is made directly by laying the print over the frottage surface and taking the impression by gently wiping a cloth carrying the background colour diluted enough with turpentine to make the rubbing. This is the first stage in the printing process.

The area in front of these tourist outlets along the Promenade has been extensively re-landscaped since Rodger's visit.

© The Willie Rodger Art Trust