ROLLING STONES’ RONNIE WOOD WILL EXHIBIT AT THE STUNNING COUNTRY ESTATE ASHRIDGE HOUSE, BUT NOT BY PLAYING HIS GUITAR…
The painting talent of Ronnie Wood, musician, song writer, and guitarist of the never-age rock and roll band The Rolling Stones, is not new to us. We did discover his vast collection of canvas, whose subjects are mainly people dear to him including band’s members, during the 2019 exhibition at Carousel London. But this summer the British well-rounded artist will surprise us again with an incredible artistic novelty, displaying for one week, in August, his works at Ashridge House, the country real estate and stately home of 190 acres of woodlands in Berkhamsted, North London. All ticket proceeds will be donated to the NHS.
Ronnie Wood will present a considerable collection of original artworks including some of his most treasured paintings, a series of sculptures and a selection of etchings within the extraordinary interiors of Ashridge House. Many of the works are previously unseen and the exhibition will also include new pieces that he has produced during lockdown. There will be a room dedicated to Ronnie’s paintings of Ashridge House and its spectacular grounds, also called the Ashridge Forest. Other highlights will include many of his favourite paintings, hand-picked for this unique collaboration, plus a remarkable new large-scale tapestry of the artist’s original painting interpreting the iconic Beggar’s Banquet album that will hang in the imposing entrance of the House.
“I’ve long been inspired by the beauty of Ashridge House and its incredible gardens”. “I’ve passed by it many times and have always been intrigued by what it’s like inside and the story of the place. I’ve recreated Ashridge in many of my paintings over the years, so to finally go inside and explore such a historic and fascinating place and have the opportunity to show my work there is a really special moment. I hope visitors will come in August and enjoy the art in these breath-taking surroundings.” – Ronnie Wood
Set in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, Ashridge House is steeped in British history dating back to 1283 when Ashridge was first established as a monastery for the order of the ‘College of Bonhommes’ founded by Edmund, Earl of Cornwall. In 1539, with the dissolution of the monasteries, King Henry VIII acquired it as a country residence later bequeathing it to his daughter and future Queen, Elizabeth I in 1550. Following Elizabeth’s death in 1603 Ashridge was purchased by Sir Thomas Egerton (Queen Elizabeth I’s Lord Keeper) in 1604 and it became home to the Dukes and Earls of Bridgewater who continued to live there for 245 years through to the end of the First World War. In 1808 the estate was almost completely rebuilt by James Wyatt in the spectacular style you see today.
Ashridge House is rarely open to the public and the week-long exhibition will give visitors a chance to enjoy Ronnie’s art while exploring the beautiful, historic house as well as its idyllic grounds.
Ronnie Wood x Ashridge House
Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
From August 22 to 27 August, 10am-4pm (timed, socially-distanced slots will be available to pre-book via the Ashridge House website and will include access to the gardens)
