Breaking the ice: art at the edge of a changing world

There is something about ice that stops us in our tracks. It has long been a place of wonder, a landscape that humbles, mesmerises, and transforms those who encounter it.

Bringing together a curated selection of contemporary artists for Ice Station RGS, the exhibition explores ice not only as a physical environment, but as an emotional and symbolic space. The exhibition will also feature the artwork from our Collections of Dr Edward Wilson, polar explorer, scientist and accomplished watercolourist, whose remarkable paintings and illustrations helped document the beauty and drama of the Antarctic wilderness, and record the expeditions scientific discoveries.

Together, these visual dialogues, past and present, reveal how our relationship with ice has evolved, from early exploration and discovery to a growing awareness of its extraordinary fragility. As ice changes at an alarming rate, these works invite us to consider not only what ice has meant to us, but what we stand to lose.

Featured artists

• Marzena Pogorzały
• Steve Russell
• McMillan and Martin
• Rod Melvin
• Renata Tyszczuk
• Michèle Noach

The exhibition will feature the work of Dr Edward Wilson, polar explorer, scientist and accomplished artist, whose remarkable paintings and illustrations helped document Antarctic wildlife, support scientific discovery and shape the development of modern wildlife painting.

Accessibility at our events

We want everyone to feel welcome at our events. Key accessibility features of this exhibition include:

• Step-free access to the event
• Accessible toilets
• Assistance dogs are welcome

For full details, please visit our accessibility page. If you have any questions or specific access requirements, feel free to get in touch with us on access@rgs.org