As the days gradually lengthen, we welcome the prospect of Spring at Old Chapel Gallery, Pembridge.Our Spring Exhibition which opens on Sunday March 8th entitled
“Be still and listen, the Earth is singing’ encompasses a collection of hand picked desirable British made art and craft including paintings, sculpture, ceramics, etchings, jewellery, automata and collographs.
The line up of collectable and appealing art, all inspired by nature, strikes a heartening mood of optimism.
Heading the line up is well known watercolour artist Mary Ann Rogers who gained the coveted award ‘Best Selling Published Artist 2009’
“The quick and lively work of Mary Ann Rogers is a real treat… her animals are depicted with a spine-tingling and inspiring virtuosity… she achieves a sense of oriental delicacy of touch which defies description.”
New to the gallery is artist illustrator Sam Cannon who works in watercolour, gouache, coloured and graphite pencil on board or paper incorporating well known quotes in text. For example ‘Be still and listen, the Earth is singing’ the title of this exhibition.
Another new comer is potter Mel Chambers who creates Raku fired ceramic tiles that are carefully painted and include quotes. Each tile is made individually by hand using ancient techniques dating back to Roman times. The tiles are created by carving into the clay whilst it is still wet and then using coloured slip to bring images and words to life making each tile unique.
Talented automata maker Wanda Sowry uses reclaimed natural wood and colourful off-cuts to put together her mechanical designs. Each handmade Automaton has a system of cogs built inside it – turn the handle and the Automaton comes to life. She keeps the mechanisms quite simple, she doesn’t paint or varnish the wood but uses different natural colours of wood instead.
Leoma Drew creates a beautiful range of wearable wing inspired jewellery using saw piercing, shape forming and stone setting. She incorporates motifs with solid shapes for an abstract and contemporary feel. The black and white effect is contrasted with bright and unusually cut stones that complement each other perfectly. Her jewellery and objects are influenced by each other and these pieces represent sentimentality which is enhanced by the intimacy created between object and body.
Gill Tenant Eyles creates one off ceramic sculptural pieces made in Raku and reduction stoneware. Her work is hand built and reflects her lifelong fascination with texture, pattern and colour, drawing inspiration from the natural world, especially the wild seashore.
To compliment the exhibition there will be a new collection of etchings by Jenny Devereux, original paintings by Peter Horrocks and collographs by recently graduated Holly Brookes.
