12 working days with 25 artists til Christmas

  Margi Adams - mosaics and framed butterflies from cans,   Sian Bailey -  illustrations, Helen Bennett or HeB Designs - animal illustrations, Mary Bryning - framed topographical embroideries, Theresia Cadwallader - bead jewellery, Helen Chatterton - sumptious home ware and clothing,   Jane Coyle- glass ware, Julie Dodd - artists books and ornaments ,   Jenny Dunlop - enhanced illustrations, Sophie Green - illustrations,   Pam Holstein - mixed media, Paul Irvine - silver jewellery, Sabine Kussmaul - cyanotypes, Marianthi Lainas - photography, Roy Lewis - Candlesticks, Freida McKittrick- baubles, prints and cards, Janine Pinion - watercolours, Mike Rule - turned wooden bowls Brenda Sharp- books and brooches, Roger Sinek - photography, Helen Smith - flowers and vases, Jo Smith - sea glass jewellery,   Patsy Taylor - textiles, Matthew Thomas - photographs,   Lisa Waldman - jewellery    

20th exhibition has new exhibitors - Paul Irvine

In addition to Marianthi and Dennis, we are proud to present the silver work of local artist, Paul Irvine.

Paul Irvine is Wirral born, and has lived in Hoylake for twenty five years. He is a full time teacher of Design & Technology, and has always enjoyed the challenge of designing and making his own ‘stuff’.

He trained at Shoreditch College in the 1970s, and has returned to working in silver relatively recently, although he is equally happy working in both wood and engineering materials which proves to be useful, as it enables him to make the tools and formers that he needs to work silver. Perhaps because silversmithing is first and foremost a hobby, Paul’s pieces are somewhat eclectic, ranging from pieces of jewellery to candelabra to napkin rings.

His preferred method of working is to beat and hammer silver into shape, where the material’s malleability (‘smackability’ as one of his pupils memorably expressed it), enables the silver to be wrought into shape. For some pieces silver sheet is ‘pressed’ into shape using handmade wooden formers and the pressure of a vice – this is particularly so on some of the bangles, where the curvature is anticlastic (it curves in opposite directions); this form is particularly strong along its length, and can be seen in natural structures such as leaves and grasses. He also fabricates pieces, joining them together with heat and solder.

Design sources are picked up all over the place: from natural forms, from geometric shapes, from the inspiration of the work of other artists and craftspeople, and from simply thumping the silver to see where it will go. Sketching sometimes forms the basis of ideas, although more often than not three dimensional modelling is the preferred method of development. For each finished piece of silver there are usually at least a couple of rough hewn pieces of copper or gilding metal languishing in the corner of his workshop.

Paul is registered with the Assay office at Goldsmith’s Hall in London, and all his work is assayed and hallmarked by them to guarantee the quality of the silver. The majority of his work is produced in Sterling silver, which can be seen by the 925 mark within the Assay marks.

Paul would probably like to describe his silver work along the lines of ‘The product of many hard won years of experience, finely tuned and realised in individual pieces in his studio workshop in Hoylake’ His wife translates this as ‘Rustling up bling in his garage’.

Our next exhibition will feature Marianthi Lainas and Dennis Spicer

Marianthi Lainas

Marianthi is a professional photographer based in Hoylake. Whether it be capturing the interaction of light on the land, recording the architectural landscapes of urban life or highlighting the intricate details of a flower or plant, she enjoys the challenge of new and varied subjects.

Land and seascape photography remain her particular love however, and form the subjects of most of her photographic images. She is inspired by the rich colours of dawn and dusk when natural light is at its most special and also loves working in black and white, creating striking monochromatic images to emphasise texture and form in a scene.

 

Her images are made using digital camera equipment with an emphasis on capturing the essence of a scene ‘in camera’ rather than relying on computer enhancements afterwards.

“The stunning views around the North West coast, with its fantastic skies and ever-changing light provide a constant source of inspiration for me. I have a fascination for how the camera records movement in the landscape, its ability to capture magical moments of light and will frequently use long-exposures to explore the different effects that can be created.”

Her images are regularly published in travel guides, magazines and newspapers, feature on greetings cards and calendars and her limited edition prints are increasingly in demand from private clients.

www.openspaceimages.com

Dennis Spicer

Dennis attended the Byam Shaw School of Painting in London from 1979 to 1983. Since then he has supported himself as a teacher and by selling his art. In 2000, he moved to the Merseyside with his family where he continues to teach and paint. The majority of his work are of still life.

"Perhaps it is the idea of the momento mori, the idea that life is transitory, or perhaps that the objects within a painting are somehow carrying on a dialogue with each other, but whatever it is, I find the subject endlessly stimulating and fascinating. The painting of the varying textures and the way that the surfaces reflect light constantly challenge the artist and the spaces between the objects become just as important as the objects themselves. In the tradition of "nature morte" I am attracted to paint things that are cast off and have no importance. I find objects in charity shops or sometimes in the detritus of the street or on the sea shore. I am trying, through painting them with the same attention and scrutiny as more precious objects, to reclaim them from being simply overlooked.  Life drawing and painting are also important to me as a change from the static nature of the still lives to the more spontaneous capturing of a momentary gesture. In addition I have lately been doing landscapes of the country side around West Kirby and portraits."


Dennis has had two one man shows in London and regularly exhibits at the New English Art Club and Royal Institute of Oil Painters exhibitions, as well as shows in the North West. He has paintings in both private and public collections in this country and abroad.



dennisspicerartworks.blogspot.com
www.dennisspicer.co.uk
 

Private View 22nd of February 2012

Kaloseidos

Photography and jewellery

Hosted by 2Bio Ltd at MerseyBIO

22nd of February 2012

5.30pm to 7.30pm

Come & meet the artists & view 

our latest exhibition of photography and jewellery 

from Matthew Thomas & Ann Ellis from the North West.

Refreshments served.

Kaloseidos - starting soon at MerseyBIO

Kaloseidos will be an exhibition of photography by Matthew Thomas and jewellery Ann Ellis.

Necklaces and jewellery using plastic bags, plastic bottles, drinks cans, reclaimed metals, pc mouse cable, reclaimed plastic tubing, orphaned vintage glass beads.

Ann Ellis' jewellery is about transformation. It aims to celebrate change and possibility, whilst challenging notions about preciousness and value. She works by deconstructing, reforming and hand-dying discarded plastics, metals, paper, glass and textiles, including plastic bags, bottles and drinks cans, often combining them with vintage beads, jewels and found objects.

Biography

Ann is based in Lancashire. She graduated from Reading University with a BA (Hons) in Typography and Graphics and went on to gain an MA in Educational Research (Lancaster), a BSc in Psychology and professional qualifications in psychotherapy and education.

Ann worked at Marvel Magazines in London before becoming freelance, designing publicity and promotional materials for the arts and entertainment industry both here and abroad. For a while she lived in the Netherlands where her eldest daughter was born.

Ann has always delighted in using everyday materials in unexpected ways and in 2008 was added to the Index of Selected makers at the UK Crafts Council. Her jewellery won a Green Apple Award in 2009 and First Place at the 2010 British Bead Awards in the Beyond Beads category. Her work, both 2d and 3d, has been used in advertising, education, publishing, exhibitions and for corporate clients and private collections.

www.annellis.co.uk

12 days til Christmas - an art @ the incubator exhibition

Monday the 12th of  December at 11:30 am- 2:30pm in MerseyBIO in the BioSciences building, next to the new Apex Building. Under £50 sale of artists who have exhibited at the incubator and other local artists, available for sale and removal there and then to be given for Christmas to your nearest and dearest. Mince pies and hot drinks. By invitation only email alison.roberts@2bio.co.uk or by University swipe card.

Alex Corina- Past, Present and Future

Our next exhibitor for Art @ the incubator will be Alex Corina, best known for his picture "Mona Lennon", used as an awning over the renovations of St George's Hall. The image represented Liverpool's Past, Present and Future but also symbolised the city's aspirations for the Capital of Culture. Alex's work from the year 2008 captured the spirit and humour in Liverpool. This exhibition is a review of his work and reflects a desire to move onto new ventures as he sets up a new studio space in Garston.