Tony Foster’s new exhibition, Exploring Time: A Painter’s Perspective, will open at RWS Gallery on 7 November 2025.
Tony Foster is known for his remarkable ‘Journeys’, watercolour painting expeditions that take place over many years where he reflects on and responds to remote wild places across the world. This new exhibition presents over fifty watercolours painted en plein air over seventeen years, sharing the artist's reflections on the complexity of time and its impact upon the planet. Each includes notes from the artist’s experiences as well as maps and objects relevant to its location.
Divided into Geological Time, Biological Time, Human Time and Fleeting Moments, the paintings explore how time has sculpted and affected our planet. From Colorado to Tibet, the Galapagos and Cornwall, the works celebrate the wonder of nature, highlighting the importance of leaving areas of the world undisturbed.
Tony Foster has exhibited widely in the UK and the USA, including at the Yale Center for British Art and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. The Foster Museum, Palo Alto, California is dedicated to his work.
Exploring Time: A Painter’s Perspective is presented by The Foster Museum. Following its debut at Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery, Truro this summer, the exhibition travels to RWS Gallery before embarking on a US tour from 2026 to 2028.
RWS Gallery at Whitcomb Street
3 - 5 Whitcomb Street
London, WC2H 7HA
Free Admission
Open daily 11am - 5pm
Events Programme
During the exhibition there will be a number of public events in the Gallery.
Events are free but please contact thefoster.org/rsvp to book as spaces will be limited.
Saturday 8 November 2025, 2.30 – 3.30pm
A walk round the exhibition with the artist discussing a selection of works and how he visualised the concept of time.
Thursday 20 November 2025, 6.30 – 8pm
Painting the Concept of Time, an illustrated lecture by artist Tony Foster
An illustrated lecture by Tony Foster, where the artist will talk about his practice, his interest in wild places and the theme of time, followed by a Q&A.
Thursday 4 December 2025, 6.30 – 8pm
Time and Place - A Conversation between artist Tony Foster and author Nicholas Crane
Nicholas Crane is an author, geographer and presenter of many documentary films, including the BBC 2 series 'Great British Journeys' and 'Coast'.
Tony Foster and Nicholas Crane will explore why geography matters, sharing experiences and common interests.
Friday 5 December 2025, 2.30 – 3.30pm
Tour of the exhibition with artist Tony Foster and curatorial advisor Tessa Jackson OBE
A walk round the exhibition with the artist selecting particular works in order to discuss his theme and approach.
For all enquiries please contact info@thefoster.org