Sidney Nolan Trust
The Rodd, Presteigne, Powys LD8 2LL
Description
Of Irish origin, Sidney Nolan was born in Melbourne, Australia on 22nd April, 1917. In his lifetime he became recognised as one of the foremost international modern artists. During the 1940’s, Sidney painted his famous series of paintings inspired by the life of the outlaw Ned Kelly. At this time he was one of a group of painters in Australia, who became known as the Angry Penguins. He travelled extensively in Australia working on several remarkable sequences of paintings, the most notable of which depicts the landscape of the interior.
The Sidney Nolan Trust is a registered charity, established by Sidney Nolan in 1985 for the purpose of supporting the work and development of creative artists and musicians. It was also intended that the Trust would provide a gallery for showing the work of Sidney Nolan and exhibitions are mounted annually. The Trust owns the complex of ancient buildings at The Rodd as well as 250 acres of surrounding farmland and woodland, which is known as Rodd Farm. The land was purchased by the Trust with the combined intentions of providing an exciting resource for creative activity, to create a special setting for the Trust and to protect and enhance the wildlife populations of this special site.
The Trust wishes to encourage the use of The Rodd by an exciting mix of creative artists and musicians. Musicians are invited to come to The Rodd to rehearse and perform and this allows for performance of the highest standard for an appreciative audience in this rural area. Artists, working in any media have been offered residency and exhibition and emphasis is placed upon the relationship between the artist, art and the natural landscape.
A very active print studio provides a comprehensive annual programme of introductory courses and master classes for printmakers who are also offered the chance to exhibit in the Trust’s annual fine art print exhibition. There is regular collaboration with print studios abroad and the Trust has established itself as an important international centre for solar plate printmaking. Through an ongoing sculpture programme the Trust offers residencies for established international sculptors, workshops for all ages and abilities as well as exhibitions and symposia.
