John Wesley’s New Room is pleased to announce the opening of its first spotlight exhibition W.H.Y. Titcomb: Drama of the Open-Air Stage on Saturday 1 October. In this exhibition, John Wesley’s New Room premieres its showing of a painting by 20th century Bristolian artist, William Titcomb.

As a resident Bristol artist between 1909-1930, William Holt Yates Titcomb was an Academician of the Bristol Academy of Fine Art (now RWA) and was highly regarded within Bristol’s artistic community, producing major exhibitions pieces for the Royal Academy.

“The highly regarded artist, William Titcomb, during the years that he was based in Bristol (1909-1930), was fascinated by many aspects of its history, as revealed by its religious and philanthropic institutions, and has left us an absorbing record of these,” says David Tovey, great-grandson of W.H.Y. Titcomb

This exhibition explores Titcomb’s love of drama which led him to depict a contentious moment defining Wesley’s life and legacy. We invite the visitors to study the crowd captivated by this historic moment and examine the scene that celebrates and reflects on Bristol’s ongoing story of public activism and free speech.

“The artist W.H.Y. Titcomb was fascinated by the drama and significance of John Wesley’s story in Bristol. I am excited that this spotlight exhibition explores why Wesley’s legacy is still very much a part of Bristol’s ongoing story,” says Kate Rogers, Co-Director – Collections, John Wesley’s New Room

W.H.Y. Titcomb: Drama of the Open-Air Stage
Saturday 1 October 2022 – Saturday 4 February 2023
Open Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm.
36 The Horsefair, Broadmead, Bristol BS1 3JE

Museum tickets which include entry to the spotlight exhibition can be purchased in advance or on the day.

This exhibition is made possible thanks to support from the South West Museum Development Programme.