Rolling Stone’s art exhibition to open in Birmingham

Ronnie Wood collection on display at ICC gallery.

A newly curated exhibition showcasing a collection of artwork by rock legend Ronnie Wood will be unveiled at Castle Fine Art in Birmingham’s International Convention Centre on Friday 13th November 2015.

The exhibition will feature a range of works created during The Rolling Stones’ 50 & Counting tour including portrait prints of his famous band members, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Mick Jagger and original works from previous collections – all charting the iconic band on stage and on tour.

A brand new piece featuring music icon Jimi Hendrix will also be launched at the exhibition – ahead of what would have been the musician’s 73rd birthday at the end of the month.

The piece, named ‘Hendrix’ is the eagerly anticipated second edition to be released from Ronnie Wood’s Legends series, which sees Wood turning the spotlight away from his own illustrious career with The Rolling Stones, and fixing it firmly on his own idols.

The hand signed limited edition of only 150 worldwide reveals a dynamic relationship between artist and subject matter; the piece an aesthetic tribute from one accomplished denizen of rock royalty to another.

The release follows on from the success of Wood’s highly acclaimed previous Raw Instinct collection released in 2013, and ‘Drawn to Life’ portraits of his band members released earlier in 2015.

Beth McCarthy, Gallery Manager for Birmingham’s Castle Fine Art, said: “This latest exhibition of Ronnie Wood’s art is a stunning homage to his five decades in music, and an exciting collection that any of the band’s fans will love.

“The colourful collages, drawings and paintings really do combine Wood’s musical influence and artistic ability, and we’re delighted to be able to welcome people to experience the artwork first hand.”

Born into a musical and artistic family in 1947, Ronnie Wood has painted and drawn for over 35 years and received formal art training at Ealing College of Art. Throughout the years, the artist and the musician have been inseparable.

As his musical career progressed, Ronnie continued his passion for painting and drawing; his subjects ranging from band members and musicians he admired, knew and sometimes played with, to family and close friends’ and of course, the self-portrait. It is as natural to find him with a pencil as with a guitar, drawing portraits of contemporaries and finding inspiration from his musical influences.

Commenting about his work, he says: “There is no kind of therapy like the one you have from starting and seeing a picture through to the end. In a secret sort of way, I like the people that I draw to see the way I’ve depicted them. Unlike music, it’s a solo effort. There’s no one else to blame.”

Ronnie Wood’s art is available to buy from Castle Fine Art, ICC, Broad Street, B1 2EA from Friday 13th November. The exhibition will be available to view at the gallery for a further two weeks.

Pieces can also be bought from Castle Fine Art and Castle Galleries’ network of high street stores across the UK or online: www.castlegalleries.com