Drawing R1001, 1971

Gouache and pencil on paper and hardboard

Given by the Contemporary Art Society, 2000, in memory of Nancy Balfour, OBE

Bridget Riley was an icon of British art in the 1960s. She was a key member of the Op Art movement, which was concerned with evoking sensations of movement and had roots in the earlier twentieth century artistic groups Dada and the Bauhaus. Riley’s work creates fantastic optical effects and forms an enquiry into the evolving artistic relationships between looking, seeing and representation. This picture, along with many other works, have been donated to Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum by the Contemporary Art Society.  Founded in 1920, the society purchase and donate contemporary art to member organisations around the country.