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Betty Woodman and George Woodman

L to R: Betty surveys pots fresh from the kiln in front of one of George’s tessellation paintings in the Woodmans’ living room in Antella, c. 1970s / Pair: George Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1970. 52 x 52 in. Acrylic paint on canvas. Photo: John Berens / Betty Woodman. “The Kitchen Table,” 2014. 63 x 60 x 12 1/2 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, canvas, and wood. Private collection / One of George’s paintings in the Woodman’s bedroom, c. 1970s / The Woodmans' farmhouse in Antella, c. 1990s. Betty's studio was located in what had been the house's wine cellar. An outdoor structure was added to give her more space to work / Betty installing a Balustrade Relief Vase in the workspace just outside of her wine cellar studio, 1996 / George on the threshold of his former studio, when it had been located next to the outdoor dining area, c. 1980s / The Woodmans continued to expand the wine cellar studio. In 2008, they renovated and expanded the space significantly, transforming it into new studio for George / George decorates the exterior wall of his new studio with his version of “sgraffito,” a technique of scratching into plaster walls, popularized in 15th and 16th Century Italy and significant in the Italian Renaissance, Antella, Italy, 2008 / George and Betty in George’s wine cellar studio, 2009 / Works in progress in Betty’s most recent Antella studio, which was built into the hillside below the house and above the olive groves, 2004. All archival images Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Betty surveys pots fresh from the kiln in front of one of George’s tessellation paintings in the Woodmans’ living room in Antella, c. 1970s. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
NOW ON VIEW: "Betty Woodman and George Woodman," Charleston, East Sussex, UK, March 25-September 10, 2023

This exhibition at Charleston—the home and studio of artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant—centers on Betty and George Woodman’s prolific time in Antella, Italy, where they lived and worked together for part each year for nearly 50 years. In addition to presenting a range of artworks exploring the couple’s mutual influences and their ongoing dialogue in a variety of media, the exhibition includes archival photographs documenting their home, life and work in Antella.

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L to R: Betty Woodman. "His and Hers Vases: Looking Back," 2006. 29 ½ x 45 x 13 ½ in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, and paint / George Woodman. "Blue Arm and Chinese Maiden," 2012. 24 x 19 ½ in. Oil paint on gelatin silver print.
L to R: Betty Woodman. "His and Hers Vases: Looking Back," 2006. 29 ½ x 45 x 13 ½ in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, and paint / George Woodman. "Blue Arm and Chinese Maiden," 2012. 24 x 19 ½ in. Oil paint on gelatin silver print.
"Betty Woodman and George Woodman" featured in "STIR," March 26, 2023

Read Rahul Kumar's interview with Charleston curator Emily Hill in "STIR" about the exhibition "Betty Woodman and George Woodman" on view now through September 10, 2023 at Charleston, East Sussex, UK.

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Betty Woodman. "Night Window," 2016. 69 1/4 x 79 3/4 x 10 1/2 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, canvas, and wood. Photo: Bruno Bruchi / George Woodman. "Canova Museum," 2010. 42 x 36 in. Oil paint on gelatin silver print. Photo: Eliza Little.
Betty Woodman. "Night Window," 2016. 69 1/4 x 79 3/4 x 10 1/2 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, canvas, and wood. Photo: Bruno Bruchi / George Woodman. "Canova Museum," 2010. 42 x 36 in. Oil paint on gelatin silver print. Photo: Eliza Little.
OPENING SATURDAY "Betty Woodman and George Woodman," Charleston, East Sussex, UK, March 25-September 10, 2023

Representing a decades-long dialogue in ceramics and paint, “Betty Woodman and George Woodman” brings together the artists’ vibrant ceramics, vivid abstract paintings, radical assemblages, and photographs, illuminated by archival materials. Focused on the couple’s prolific time at their farmhouse in Antella, Italy—where they lived and worked for part of each year for nearly fifty years—the exhibition explores the artists’ mutual influences and their shared life immersed in art, culture, travel and experimentation, reflected in kindred palettes and patterns.

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L to R: Betty Woodman. "Balustrade Relief Vase 00-5," 2000. 81 x 67 x 8 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, and paint / Detail: George Woodman. "Low Balustrade Screen (Garden Balustrade Screen)," 1981 / George Woodman. "Low Balustrade Screen (Garden Balustrade Screen)," 1981 42 x 151 ½ in. Each panel 42 x 30 in. Acrylic paint on canvas.
L to R: Betty Woodman. "Balustrade Relief Vase 00-5," 2000. 81 x 67 x 8 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, and paint / Detail: George Woodman. "Low Balustrade Screen (Garden Balustrade Screen)," 1981 42 x 151 ½ in. Each panel 42 x 30 in. Acrylic paint on canvas.
"Betty Woodman and George Woodman" preview in "Financial Times," February 26, 2023

Read Ajesh Patalay's preview of "Betty Woodman and George Woodman" on view now through September 10, 2023 at Charleston, East Sussex, UK.

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L to R: Betty Woodman and George Woodman at Betty’s kiln, Antella, Italy, c. 1973. Woodman Family Foundation Archives / Betty Woodman. “Aztec Vase and Carpet: April,” 2016. 38 ½ x 58 x 43 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, paint, and canvas / George Woodman. “Piazza San Francesco di Paola,” 1965. 32 x 32 in. Oil paint on canvas.
Betty Woodman and George Woodman at Betty’s kiln, Antella, Italy, c. 1973. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
UPCOMING EXHIBITION "Betty Woodman and George Woodman," Charleston, Lewes, East Sussex, UK, March 25-September 10, 2023

“Betty Woodman and George Woodman” is the first UK exhibition to show both artists' work together, celebrating the work of ground-breaking American ceramic artist Betty Woodman and the painter and photographer George Woodman.

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All images © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Design by condensed