#179 Alloy

Alumni of the Royal Drawing School: Vito Walker, Keziah Mornin, Will Powers, Roman Vaughan-Williams, Tom Cubitt, Maj Lisa Dörig, George Meadows, Rebecca Ashton, Madeleine Wood, Angus MacDonald, Myrtle Glanville and Arthur Boothby

7-28 Feb 2026 12-6pm Thurs-Sun or by appointment

The term ‘alloy’ refers to the combining of metal with other elements to form an enhanced material; the act of joining and combining usually for the sake of strength or resilience. The idea of development through combination has inspired this project.

Alloy is an exercise in human connection through image making. At a moment when many aspects of life face increasing atomisation we seek to nurture ourselves collectively through material practice. This project has sought contributions from twelve artists who share drawing as the foundation of their practice. Without a prescribed theme or subject matter we have produced work together both in person and remotely, to engage and reflect on what it means to collaborate.

Methods for generating this exhibition have varied, and though composed of many separate drawings, there is no one image that any one artist can claim exclusive ownership of. Preparing for the show we have met in person to commit images to paper in relay. We have also sent one another written cues; instructions for drawings that we would routinely make ourselves. Additionally drawings have been sent anonymously by post, the recipient developing or working from them before their presentation here.

This project is borne of drawing games like Pictionary and Exquisite Corpse, through which each artist uses their voice and simultaneously relinquishes control of it.

In alloying metals one accepts a compromise of essential virtue in return for the requisite enhancement. In drawing together we accept a loss of agency over our

images and the personal challenge to ego that this presents. When an idea is carried from one person to another it develops irrespective of personal subjectivity. Manipulation of this kind makes us vulnerable but it familiarises us with an adaptive creative process. Sharing license of an idea in the act of making speaks to a human need for compromise, resilience and fluidity.

Image by Gillies Adamson Semple