David Remfry La Tasha Simmons and Kahlua, 2010-12 Watercolour and Graphite on Paper, photo Marcus Leith

Younger Visitors

Discover, Create, Enjoy, Learn

Visiting our exhibitions with little people is great fun!

Our activities change with every exhibition so there is always something new and fun to try.

David Remfry RA: People and Dogs Drawn Together

We think the world of you

11 Feb - 3 June 2023

There’s a personal story behind every relationship between a dog and its owner. These stories have long fascinated David Remfry RA. 


Remfry's series of evocative pencil and watercolour portraits exploring the connection between people and their canine companions began 15 years ago when he was a resident of the infamous Chelsea Hotel in New York. Over the years sitters have included celebrities Alan Cumming, Susan Sarandon and Ethan Hawke, and their pets.
David Remfry, Leicester Garcia and Devage, 2008, Graphite and Watercolour on Paper,  photo Marcus Leith
David Remfry Teddy, 2008 Watercolour and Graphite on Paper, photo Marcus Leith
David Remfry, Louise, 2007,  photo Christopher Burke Studios

David Remfry is a contemporary British born painter. He is perhaps best known for his large-scale watercolours, often of people dancing, his landscapes of New York and his portraits of residents and friends painted and drawn during his twenty years living and working at the Hotel Chelsea, New York City. He has also curated several exhibitions and was recently a Professor of Drawing at the Royal Academy Schools. He lives and works in London.

Find out more

We are very excited to announce that David will be curating our Summer 2023 Rugby Collection show. Further details to follow.

Image: David Remfry at the Hotel Chelsea, New York. © Dudley Reed / National Portrait Gallery, London

Exhibition Events

Rene the Guide Dog  

Wednesday 5 April, 11am 
FREE entry, spaces bookable and drop in


Join Louise and Rene, her assistance dog, in a short introduction to the Guide Dogs charity.

Louise will demonstrate how Rene assists her in her daily life and will talk about The mission of the Guide Dogs society which is to ensure that no one living with sight loss is left out of life!

Every six minutes in the UK, one more person goes blind. When someone loses their sight, the  Guide Dogs society helps to ensure they don’t lose their freedom as well.

Listen to David talk about his friends and their dogs