7 November – 19 December, 2026

Yeovil Art Space is delighted to work with internationally known artist Brian Rice again this Autumn. This time, the exhibition focuses on his printmaking works spanning 70 years.

Born in Yeovil, Rice grew up in Tintinhull and Montacute. His career began at Yeovil School of Art, which Rice attended from 1952-6. His artistic talent was clearly shown early on in the wood-engraving entitled ‘Rare Breed’. He subsequently created work in lithography and relief printing. 

In the 1960s, Rice was at the heart of the London art scene, producing some of the era’s most groundbreaking paintings and prints, predominantly screenprints but also a series of lithographs. His work reflected the fashion of its time and was frequently seen in the background to magazine adverts and several films. One early screenprint, ‘Red Assembly’, printed for him by Ward Studios of Yeovil, is now in the Tate Gallery Collection along with three more of Brian’s prints which will be included in the YAS show. 

Geometric pattern and strong colour continued in Rice’s work during 1970. Visitors will see ‘Nine in One’, an assembly of nine colour system prints measuring over 6 ft tall, the largest print work Rice has ever produced. 

Rice taught printmaking at Brighton College of Art, later Polytechnic and now the University of Brighton, for over three decades until his retirement in 2001. He describes an Artist’s Print to be ‘a unique image made by a printing technique, i.e. screenprint, linocut, woodcut, wood- engraving, etching, aquatint, lithograph, or monoprint’. He has also produced ‘hybrids’ which combine print and painting. Each work starts from a print; Rice will then apply gouache or acrylic paints to make variations on the original print. Many of them were produced in the 1990s during a period when he became interested in archaeology,  particularly Neolithic rock engravings. 

Now aged 90, Rice’s practice continues to evolve, but he finds printmaking a bit too exhausting, so confines himself to painting. He is delighted to bring this exhibition together at Yeovil Art Space, revisiting some of his favourite pieces, including ‘Queensway’, a screenprint made in 1997 from the woodblock print called ‘Kerbstone’. This same print was used in a series of works to explore new materials for printmaking during his sabbatical leave from the University of Brighton in 1997.

Works are available for sale in this exhibition, including unframed prints and the last remaining copies of the special edition of ‘Brian Rice catalogue raisonné of prints 1953- 2013’, which comes wth a limited edition print ‘On Reflection’, signed by the artist.

‘Brian Rice Seven Decades of Printmaking’ launches a new exhibition programme in the gallery at Yeovil Art Space as the art charity embarks on a two-year cultural regeneration project ‘Yeovil Reimagine’ that aims to ‘bring art and culture into everyday life’. Printmaking occupies the first season with the Brian Rice exhibition in the lead-up to Christmas, and a further exhibition, ‘Out of the Box’, from the Somerset Printmakers and guests, including counterparts from France in the new year.

Yeovil Art Space says the programme promises to bring aspirations to not only discover a rich history of printmaking but to discover new ways of thinking, to explore new and experimental techniques. The exhibition and subsequent programme celebrates access to art for all and encourages visitors to explore their own ideas and skills, whether starting from scratch on the kitchen table at home or from an experienced studio practice.

Exhibition Events

Opening Event – Sat 7 November, 2 – 4pm

We are looking forward to welcoming you to the gallery to see this distinctive selection of work. Join us here at Yeovil Art Space to celebrate the opening of this very special exhibition.

Hot drinks and refreshments will be provided, donations are welcome. This is a free event, no booking is required but we would love to know if you are coming.

If you would prefer to RSVP via telephone please call/text 07360861358, any inquiries can be emailed to info@yeovilartspace.uk

Artist Talk – Sat 21 November, 2-4pm

Join us for this special event to hear Brian talk about his work spanning 70 years. A wonderful opportunity to gain insight into the artist’s years as a student and speak in the context of the show.

£5 donation including refreshments.

A selection of work on show.