ART IS ONLY FOR BEGINNERS: 2021/22 Zsuzsi Roboz Scholarship Exhibition

16th – 29th September 2022 at Morley Gallery, Westminster Bridge Road

Morley Gallery is presenting an exhibition of works by Veronika Neukirch, the Morley College London 2021-22 Zsuzsi Roboz Scholar. The Scholarship, established in 2015 in partnership with the Alfred Teddy Smith and Zsuzsi Roboz Art Trust, is an opportunity for emerging artists to develop their creative vision and skills under the guidance of staff from Morley College London’s School of Visual and Digital Arts, based at out Waterloo Centre for Adult Education as well as tutors at our North Kensington Centre for Skills in W10.

Recipients of the scholarship undertake a year of part-time, tailored study at Morley College London, with personal tutoring from professional artists throughout the year, and a public exhibition of their work at the end of the scholarship period.

As last year’s scholar, Veronika has broadened her skills in ceramics and glass, using highly specialist materials and facilities requiring expert guidance. Highly lauded courses at Morley’s Waterloo and North Kensington centres have enabled her to use these materials with more sophistication and ambition with both centres offering specialist classes in ceramics and at North Kensington, specialist glass tuition.

As an inter-disciplinary artist, Veronika is interested in combining different materials. Techniques include fusing layers of glass, then using a plaster mould to add texture; and building up ceramic pieces in stages, from modelling the clay, adding under-glaze effects, glazing, firing, and finishing with post-kiln mallet treatment.

During her time as a scholar, Veronika has also received tutorial support and guidance from two professional artists from Morley’s School of Visual and Digital Arts. Steve Wright and Günther Herbst have provided individual tutorials and exhibition planning support to Veronika, encouraging and challenging her art practice and helping her connect with Morley’s staff and resources.

“The Zsuzsi Roboz Scholarship is the holy grail for any artist looking to acquire new skills in a nurturing environment. I filled my knowledge gaps in both Glass and Ceramics.”

Veronika Neukirch

Originally from Berlin, Veronika studied Sculpture at Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of Art, where she received the Gilbert Bayes Trust Sculpture Award.

More about Zsuzsi Roboz and the Zsuzsi Roboz Trust Scholarship

Zsuzsi Roboz was a master portraitist producing portraits of friends and idols from her world of music, theatre, dance, and fellow artists. In her bequest she left generous funding as well as her studio paintings within a trust to provide support for young emerging artists.

Born in Budapest, Zsuzsi Roboz trained under Pietro Annigoni in Florence during the 1950s, and throughout her long career, became almost as celebrated for her charm as for her considerable talent as a portraitist. Some of the most renowned dancers, musicians, conductors and poets sat for Roboz’s portraits. Her last major exhibition in 2011, Face to Face, was a tour-de-force study of contemporary British authors.

Veronika’s exhibition, Art is only for Beginners, runs until Friday 30^th September at the Morley Gallery. Opening hours: Monday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 1-5pm.