Tuesday 8 December 2015 from 6–9pm
4 Princelet Street, London E1 6QH

Join us to celebrate the launch of the first book on the work and teaching of Roger Ackling. Through writings by former students, colleagues, contemporaries and friends, the book details Ackling’s unique teaching style and the quiet beauty of his work, which he made using the same method of burning sunlight on wood for more than thirty five years. Edited by Emma Kalkhoven with contributions from Sylvia Ackling, Tony Cragg, Hamish Fulton, John Haldane, Dean Hughes, Richard Long, Trevor Sutton and Mo Throp, among others.

“I think a great teacher is as rare and special as a great artist. Roger was very special, on both counts.”
— Richard Long

This will be your first chance to view the book which was generously funded in April, with pledges from 201 Kickstarter backers. We will also have a display of Ackling’s artwork, kindly loaned by Annely Juda Fine Art and a screening of Ackling’s early and rarely-shown ‘Boot Film’, courtesy of Ingleby Gallery. Dean Hughes, artist, educator and a former student of Ackling’s, will give a short insight into the idiosyncrasies of Ackling’s work and teaching.

The event will take place in a beautifully conserved 18th century merchants house in the heart of Spitalfields where we will be serving mulled wine and mince pies to get us in the festive mood. Finally, to make it an event Ackling would approve of, guests can challenge one another to a game of ping-pong – one of Ackling’s favourite games.

Please join us! All welcome, no booking required.

Photography © Nick Paton