Desdemona's opening

Here are some snaps taken at the opening of Desdemona's exhibition at MerseyBio on the 26th of February.

Under a Victorian microscope - Feb until April 09

Desdemona McCannon is a writer, lecturer, designer and maker living on Merseyside. She works at North Wales School of Art where she lectures in Design Theory and teaches Illustration and Decorative Arts. She has worked with a variety of different clients across the world, including a two year stint in Tokyo.

Victorian Bacteria

This collection of images is inspired by a collection of old Victorian illustrations of Petri dish cultures found in my mother’s book collection. I was intrigued that something so small should be drawn with such attention to detail and I was also charmed at the skill and labour involved as this kind of imagery has been replaced by photographic processes.

I have recently been using a heat transfer technique to apply images to ceramic tiles, and the idea of displaying imagery based upon germs and bacteria onto a medium that has been traditionally used for its clinical and sanitary properties appealed to me.

I investigated the colour palettes of traditional tile designs as well, and tried to convey a ‘victorian’ flavour to the designs.

I investigated using the designs as repeats and will eventually develop a range of wallpaper and products with the ‘Victorian Bacteria’ theme.

I am excited to be showing these images exclusively at MerseyBio and would be very interested to see how modern imaging techniques of bacteria and microscopic forms could be developed into decorative design.

Desdemona McCannon February 2009

Please respect the artist's images and do not use or copy them in any way without permission

Ruth Ball - January until February 09

Designer enameller, Ruth Ball utilises the fusion of glass on metal to produce a diverse collection of products including:-

• Contemporary Jewellery
• Miniature Enamel Painting
• Small objects – Bowls / Vessels
• Panels – Larger wall based Art Works

Ruth graduated from Middlesex University (formerly Polytechnic) in 1987 with a BA Honours in Jewellery Design. As a student, she was awarded the RSA Bursary Award in 1985 and the prestigious Platinum Award in 1987.

Today, she regularly exhibits work both in national and international exhibitions and is an active member of The British Society of Enamellers and the Merseyside Jewellers and Metal Artists Network.

Ruth is skilled in all aspects of champleve, cloisonné and painted enamel. As well as producing her own designs, she undertakes commissions and trade work. Each piece is unique or made as limited editions.

Ruth is an experienced teacher at Further & Higher Education levels, and offers a range of workshops in Enamelling and Art & Design. Her educational work features in the Craft & Design video display at The Walker Gallery in Liverpool. A recent highlight in her career was the publication of a “How To” book on enamelling, commissioned by the publishers A & C Black for their Jewellery Handbook series.




www.ruthballdesign.co.uk

Claire McCarthy and Sebastian Cowden - Nov - Dec 08

Claire McCarthy

The Urban Spiritual Expression of Liverpool

When future, past and present converge at one moment…
The artist makes you confront the city with friction and ghost-like speed. Capturing the life of the buildings, streets and corners of Liverpool’s atmospheric town, she reflects the real heart of the city unlike any other.

Profound collectables with compelling style




Sebastian Cowden

Sebastian Cowden aims to create images that relate the North West of England with directness and without manipulation. To Sebastian, the spirit of photography is not about seeking (or creating) the perfect scene, but rather to “catch the best from the things we look at everyday”. Sebastian was born and raised on the Wirral, where he still resides.

Liverpool Scenes - October until Nov 08

Liverpool scenes:

An exhibition by
Michael Burns, Alan Chape & Chris Millichamp

Michael Burns
Born and brought up in the Wirral, Michael is a relative newcomer to the world of art! A painter and decorator by day, and photographer by night (and weekends!), Michael is in the process of developing his portfolio. He takes a particular interest in the Liverpool waterfront and iconic local buildings and enjoys digitally distorting
the natural colours for an unusual and eye-catching effect.


Alan Chape
Alan Chape has lived and worked on Merseyside since 1968. He has developed his photography following his retirement in 2000. He specialises in architectural subjects, particularly the townscape & buildings of Liverpool, Wirral and Oxton, and rural landscapes. He also has catalogues for Nice, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Singapore, Tuscany, Andalucía, Rome, Berlin, Cracow, Palma, Sardinia, Brittany, North Wales, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Sussex and London.


Chris Millichamp
Chris studied Interior Design at Birmingham College of Art and Design. He practised as a designer working in industry- Architectural practice & local government. He was a visiting lecturer at Birmingham College of Art, taught at Laird School of Art & Wirral Met. College. He now works as a fulltime artist. Chris works in water-based media, largely watercolours, & enjoys the freshness & unpredictability of the media.

Image attached by Alan T Chape. please do not reproduce without his permission. Respect his artistic copyright.

Art at the incubator

2Bio Ltd who manage the incubator building, MerseyBio for the University of Liverpool, currently provide up-and-coming and established North West artists and craftspeople with an opportunity to showcase their work within the building. The exhibitions create a changing environment for the MerseyBio community, plus a talking point for visiting guests whilst providing a link to local artistic community.

2Bio will hold a new exhibition every six-eight weeks, giving different artists the chance to display their work to the incubator community, and those invited into the building by 2Bio Ld and the tenant companies.