Notice: Matisse Drawing With Scissors Exhibition, Guildford House Gallery From January 21

Published on: 7 Jan, 2023
Updated on: 7 Jan, 2023

Picture credit: Henri Matisse, Nu bleu II (Blue Nude II), 1952 (lithographic reproduction, 1958).

Prints of the famous Matisse cut-outs will be on display at Guildford House Gallery from January 21 to March 25, thanks to a Hayward Gallery Touring Exhibition from the Southbank Centre.

The free exhibition, Matisse: drawing with scissors, features 35 posthumous prints of the cut-outs produced by Henri Matisse in the last four years of his life, when confined to bed by ill health. It includes many of his iconic images, such as The Snail and the Blue Nudes.

A spokesperson for Guildford Borough Council, that operates the gallery, said: “French painter, sculptor and designer, Henri Matisse (1869-1954) was one of the 20th century’s most influential artists. He continued creating highly original works into his eighties.

“For his cut-outs he used paper hand-painted with gouache, which he carved into with scissors. The colours he used were so strong that he was advised by his doctor to wear dark glasses.”

Matisse wrote: “There is no gap between my earlier pictures and my cut-outs. I have only reached a form reduced to the essential through greater absoluteness and greater abstraction.”

Guildford House Gallery.

The council’s lead councillor for heritage, John Redpath (R4GV, Holy Trinity), said: “This is a fantastic exhibition for Guildford House Gallery. Matisse’s vibrant works are celebrated for their extraordinary richness and luminosity of colour. His spectacular paper cut-outs were his final triumph. It’s great that our residents and visitors to Guildford will have the opportunity to see these famous works on their doorstep.

“We welcome visits from schools and families. Schools should call 01483 444751 to book a free visit. A teacher’s pack is available for school bookings. Aimed at Key Stage 3 students and above, the pack can be adapted to suit students of any age.”

“Activity sheets are available for Key Stage 2 students, younger visitors and families.”

The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4.30pm (last entry 4pm). For more information see the Visit Guildford website.

Matisse’s work has inspired the creation of artwork by members of charities Headway Surrey and the halow Project. Their collages and cut-outs exhibition will be on display in the Garden Room at Guildford House Gallery.