Federation of British Artists
The Federation of British Artists (FBA) consists of nine art societies, and is based at Mall Galleries in London where the societies' Annual Exhibitions are held. The societies represent living artists working in the United Kingdom who create contemporary figurative art. Mall Galleries aim to 'promote, inspire and educate audiences about the visual arts.'
Description[edit]
The FBA has over 500 artist-members, who regularly exhibit their work and also accept open submissions from the public. In addition to the member societies, other societies and individual artists also stage shows at Mall Galleries. Over 100 prizes and awards are administered each year by the societies.
The gallery also has a commissions department and Friends organisation. The galleries' education department runs a Schools Programme, which includes gallery based workshops for Primary and Secondary school students.
Gallery projects include a drawing school and summer courses run by the New English Art Club, as well as The Hesketh Hubbard Art Society, the largest life drawing society in London, who meet to draw from life models.
The FBA is a registered charity, number 200048, and was established in 1961.
In February 2011 the Mall Galleries mounted an exhibition, "Pure Gold: 50 Years of the Federation of British Artists", curated by Anthony J Lester, Hon.RMS, FRBA, FRSA. An illustrated, 100-page catalogue (ISBN 978-0-9560219-3-9) was published to accompany the show.
Mall Galleries received public attention when they removed oil painting Portrait of Ms Ruby May, Standing. According to the artist, Leena McCall, the painting was deemed "disgusting" and "pornographic".[1]
Societies that have exhibited at Mall Galleries include:
Prizes which are awarded at Mall Galleries include: