From
the humorous work of Cathy Miles to the fun figurative forms
by Jane Muir, this exhibition will prove to be not only extremely
enjoyable, but also highly inspirational. Cathy's three dimensional
wire wall drawings depict birds in conversation. Her creatures
gossip, bicker and share unusual dialects making the viewer
enter the thoughts of this intriguing designer. She will be
demonstrating her wonderful processes and techniques in an
artist demonstration at the opening of this exhibition on
Saturday 5th November from 12-3pm. Some of the characters
being constructed include Beasley the starling, Beek with
his bothering bottom itch and the Little Awks.
Jane Muir's simplistic and quirky figures are very distinctive
and full of character. Hand built and painted using stoneware
glazes, her work is both comical and unique, as too is the
work of Olivia Brown. Olivia's fascination with the behaviour
of dogs and the peculiar traits that define their individual
characters give this selection of work a real sense of personality.
Scrap tin figures constructed by Andy Hazel are also full
of individuality. His hand-operated automata are both playful
and fun and the compositions highly amusing. Ceramicist Helen
Beard creates pots with real character; which she likes to
describe as 'living pots'. The drawings of people and places
she creates on the surface of her work are cheeky and nostalgic.
Edwina Bridgeman selects driftwood and found objects to make
her figures and people. Her chosen medium brings new life
to the discarded and uplifts the viewer with this ingenuous
way of working.
Celebrating the natural form of women in all their glorious
diversity, Nicky Stone's white stoneware figures are joyous
and lifting. Rachel Higgin's delicately constructed creatures
have taken inspiration from her surroundings. Her wire birds
and metal constructed hares explore the relationship between
animals and humans. Surroundings have also been explored in
the work of Nicola Pearson, whose wonderful three-dimensional
textile illustrations have been inspired by the observation
of everyday activities.
Emily Firmin and Justin Mitchell work individually and together
on larger projects. Predominantly working with papier-mâché
their distinctive styles offer a colourful collection of pictures/sculptures
and automata.
