The Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers is one of the world’s premier organisations representing the work and interests of fine art printmakers. All our Members are practising professional artists in the field of printmaking and are elected by a panel of their peers. The Society has over 180 current Members, many of whom live and work in the UK, but we now have an increasing number of international Members from across the globe. This exhibition at RBSA Gallery shows a selection of work by these artists.
The RE was first known as the ‘Society of Painter-Etchers’, founded by Sir Francis Seymour Haden in 1880 in reaction to the Royal Academy’s reluctance to exhibit etchings and engravings. Queen Victoria granted our royal prefix in 1888, and there then followed two subsequent name changes, in 1898 and 1991, both to embrace a broader range of contemporary printmaking practices. However, throughout this we retained the abbreviation ‘RE’ as a well-respected identity, and the qualifying letters, that follow an elected Member’s name.
The RE is extremely proud of its history and our many eminent past Members. Printmaking is a dynamic and forward-looking medium and our current Membership contains some of the most innovative artists working today, applying their skills to every print-based medium imaginable and helping drive our commitment to a contemporary, diverse, and inclusive future together in print.
Professor David Ferry PRE
'Contemporary Printmaking from Members of the RE'
showing work by 40 artists runs at the
Royal Birmingham Society of Artists Gallery
7 - 18 October 2025
4 Brook Street, Birmingham B3 1SA
Open Tues - Sat 10.30am - 5pm