The Keeping Gallery in Shortlands holds an extensive collection of the work of two artists, husband and wife Renate and Charles Keeping.
Charles Keeping (22 September 1924 - 16 May 1988) was a highly regarded illustrator and author of children's books. He first came to prominence with his illustrations for Rosemary Sutcliff's historical novels for children, and he created more than twenty picture books. He won the Kate Greenaway Medal for outstanding work in children's illustration twice: for Charley, Charlotte and the Golden Canary in 1967, and for an illustrated edition of Alfred Noyes's poem The Highwayman in 1981. He illustrated The God Beneath the Sea, by Leon Garfield and Edward Blishen, which won the Carnegie Medal for children's literature in 1970. He also illustrated the complete works of Charles Dickens for the Folio Society.
His lithographs have been exhibited in London, Italy, Austria and the U.S.A., including at the International Exhibition of Lithography in Cincinnati in 1958. He has prints in many collections, including at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Renate Keeping is a painter and maker of unique textile artworks. One room in the gallery shows her autobiographical frieze in large textile panels.
For students of art and illustration, the gallery is a wonderful place to see the range of techniques used by these two artists. Guided tours are given which explain in detail the techniques used and the way the work has evolved.
The Gallery is in Shortlands (Bromley) 20 minutes from Victoria Station. The opening times are fairly flexible but Renate prefers visitors to come on weekdays at about 2pm. Every visit is a personally conducted tour of the Gallery and lasts about 2 hours including light refreshments and occasional demonstrations. A group of between 6 – 20 people is preferred.
To contact the gallery, call 020 8460 7679 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Visiting the gallery is by appointment only.
Or visit the website: http://www.thekeepinggallery.co.uk/index2.html
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