If you appreciate ART in any form, Northgate Studio in the heart of Chester is the place to be.
With regular fine art exhibitions, a number of fantastic creative workshops, art lectures and creative talks, theatrical performances and musical events, there is always something exciting going on here.
“Appropriate” – Art Exhibition by Chris Stones – CANCELLED
‘Appropriate’ by Chris Stones – at Chester Art Centre
17th November to 2nd December 2020
Chris Stones, returned to higher education shortly after her 50th birthday, having decided to formalise her lifelong interest in art. This exhibition is a collection of some of the work Chris created in response to various modules, during the three-year degree course.
“I have always found collage an exciting and expeditious medium in which to work. One of my most vivid childhood memories is of my mother, making flour and water paste, so I could collage chocolate biscuit wrappers. Recognising that my strengths lie in the analogue, collage enables me to take a playful and diverse approach to making work. My work is eclectic, often conceptual, influenced by Surrealism, Dada and Pop Art, I combine collage with elements of appropriated paintings and readymade objects. As I mature past the age of 50, I am acutely aware of the value of recycling and the satisfaction of giving a ‘thing’ a second life, a reflection perhaps of my own reinvention as a student.”
Completing her studies during the unprecedented coronavirus lockdown, Chris graduated, without ceremony, First Class with Honours, Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art.
We hope that we can hold a socially distanced timed private view on Saturday, the 21st of November, between 2 PM and 7 PM. Please keep an eye on this page and RSVP if you would like to attend!
M.E.S.S. – Mark Edmonds Studio Sale – Socially Distanced Event
‘I work in contemporary mediums. My studio is a mess of circuit boards, plastic resins and paint. I spend my time meditating and splicing one material with another. I love the contrast I create between colours and textures, everything is in a constant juxtaposition. I am probably considered a painter by many, but I feel more like a sculptor who works on canvas. To me the challenge is to create something with ‘feeling’ that evokes strong feelings in others. I am not always successful and at times this journey is painful, especially when you make that connection. Often, I feel naked when this happens, because someone is looking at me without my armour of bullshit. After the initial shock dies down and I no longer feel as vulnerable, I realise I have achieved something, that I am not pretending, there is a genuine connection.
Meditation and being a flawed human being is the key to my creative ‘process’. I tend to start with the structure of the painting or the concept. This is very much a conscious act, a little bit like visualising a sandcastle. As I work further into the piece, the original idea is ‘washed away’ each time, the mental image compromised. Each subsequent layer of paint, plastic or texture becomes a response to the modified vision. This is where the structure gives way to the feeling and the conscious begins to merge with the unconscious. This can become difficult to reconcile at times, there is risk involved. Sometimes paintings become over-worked when they should be abandoned. Sometimes detail is lost, sometimes I get lost.
I think contextually my work exists somewhere between abstract expressionism and the conceptual art foragers, for whom, Marcel Duchamp’s ‘Readymade’ is the life blood. The reoccurring theme would be creation born of frustration, be it with others or with oneself. I long for a certain amount of creative freedom. I am attempting to avoid the potholes of over thinking. Concentrate on breathing, clear the mind, and follow intuition, well for as long as possible in a heavy duty filter mask.
I take my tools of expression, and all the techniques I have developed and in rare cases mastered, then I leave the safety of roads firmly travelled. My journey will take me into the unknown, the black void of nothingness. When I return I have unlocked a piece of the puzzle but paid for it with a piece of myself. This is the price all creative minds pay until ultimately there is no exchange left’.
‘Surreal Reality’ art exhibition by Greg Forster
‘Surreal Reality’ art exhibition by Greg Forster
We are excited to announce Greg’s exhibition which will take place at Chester Art Centre for two weeks starting on the 26th of April and will run until the 10th of May 2022. The preview evening will take place on Thursday 28th April.
Influenced by the surrealists of the 1920/30’s and cartoonists of the 1980’s, Greg creates bizarre and imaginative colourful worlds with weird and outlandish subjects. Greg’s artwork can be provocative and at times disturbing, with a vein of fun bewilderment that runs through the entire exhibition. Sometimes political, often personal and intimate, with humour and sarcasm being central to his work.
Greg’s imagery asks questions and evokes mystery with detailed complexity of his paintings that encourages an exploration of one’s own psyche. In many compositions, subjects are undergoing a transformation, depicted as they change from one state or identity to another, displaying subjects with anything from angels with heart-shaped limbs to strange fuse-headed monsters.
Using knowledge and skills acquired in his profession in graphic design to shape his artistic vision Greg has put together a collection of images that portray varying perspectives that include love and loss, hopes and fears, lust and power, and the meaning of life. His work draws on his own personal experience personifying bizarre subjects in complex circumstance.
Greg Forster graduated from Swansea Metropolian University in 1992, since then he has worked professionally as a London based freelance illustrator, and latterly in graphic design. Now based in his native North Wales, he uses the knowledge and skills acquired in those professions to shape his artistic vision.
Greg has a keen interest in philosophy and sociology, and has always been fascinated by characteristics, key life events, and situations which compose the essence of human existence, such as growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality. These themes are often recurrent in his artwork and come from varying perspectives that include love and loss, hopes and fears, lust and power, and the meaning of life.
Working in a mix of contemporary mediums, such as acrylic paint, ink, spray paint, marker pen and pencil on paper, board and canvas, Greg has blended his skills in graphics and illustration with his love of bright colour and surrealism to bring about artwork that depicts life’s pleasures and predicaments in a surreal world. His use of bold colour in this surreal environment allows Greg to challenge the boundaries and explore his own obsessions.
The private view will be taking place on the 28th of April 2022 between 6pm and 9pm and we look forward to seeing you for some bright surrealism and wine!
‘SALO’ art exhibition by Mark Funge and OSMpaul
It has been a long time coming and now finally arrived! 🙂
‘SALO’ exhibition by OSMpaul and Mark Funge starting on the 10th of September will run until the 24th of September. Join us for an all-day event on Friday the 11th for some waves, sunshine and surfing :). 3 PM till 8 PM – do not miss!
OSMpaul is a digital surf artist/illustrator based in Chester UK. Influenced massively by the surf and skate culture from the late 90s and early 00s, he likes to recreate the vibe of reading surf mags and watching movies as a kid as well as some of the culture from the modern day. Mental health has also been a subconscious element to his work, and the recent bodies of work show how we can feel so small in this HUGE world we live in, but our passions and hobbies can bring back the stoke. His use of calm colours and negative space will leave you feeling like your sat drinking a beer at the beach with the sound of the waves crashing in front of you.
Mark Funge we all know and he is very busy – still awaiting the blurb! Lol.
Looking forward to seeing you on Friday the 11th!
‘FOUR VIEWS’ art exhibition – CANCELLED
‘FOUR VIEWS’ is an art exhibition by Penny Beautiman, Vicky Christmas, Ann Roach and Jackie Saxton, which will run between the 30th of March 2021 and 13th of April 2021, with the private view on 1 April. At Chester Art Centre we are very excited to see what these fabulous four artists come up with this time!
Looking forward to seeing you on 1 April for some wine, art and fun between 3 PM and 8 PM! 🙂
‘We are 4 artists and friends with diverse backgrounds in the Visual Arts , who regularly meet to work and discuss our progress. Each of us responds to a stimulus or subject in an individual manner. As Quarto we have exhibited together on a number of occasions, as individuals we have exhibited locally, nationally and internationally’.
PENNY BEAUTIMAN
As a printmaker, my main interests are in industrial landscapes and work places. I use relief blocks; the main design is cut by removing areas not needed, further detail is created by cutting out more areas and using different colours. I add texture by sticking sandpaper, mesh and thread to the block.
I have a degree in Fine Art from Reading University and have taught Art in a variety of schools. I exhibit regularly and am a member of Cheshire Artists Network and Outline Art.
VICKY CHRISTMAS
After some years of teaching, I studied Art at a variety of places and continue to do so. My work is mainly outside in the landscape, however, I enjoy the stimulation and challenge of Still life and Life drawing. I am looking to work in a loose free manner, letting my feelings help to conjure the finished effect. I also value working with like- minded friends. I am a member of Outline Art and exhibit work extensively.
ANN ROACH
For the past 30 years I have enjoyed the challenge and rewards of being an Adult Art Tutor. My own work is varied as I aim to capture the specific nature, energy or atmosphere of my chosen subject – figure, flower or place. Although happy using any medium, I paint mainly in fresh watercolour, often spilling the image on to the mount, inviting the viewer to be closer involved with the subject.
I am a member of Cheshire Artists Network, Outline Art & Altrincham Society of Art. My work is exhibited extensively, has gained many awards and has been featured in several Art publications.
JACKIE SAXTON
I am passionate about my art, in particular, pastels ,drawing and mixed media where I use all types of textures. I like colour, contrasting light – especially sunlight, movement and form.
I believe that an Artist must continually develop their skills and techniques; the process never ends. I am, however, very self-critical, seldom being satisfied with my work and feeling it could be
better. Nevertheless, I consider that Art is uplifting , spiritual and that it is a special joy and privilege to be creative and to work alongside other Artists. I am a member of Altrincham Society of Art and regularly exhibit my work.
M.E.S.S. – Mark Edmonds Studio Sale
‘I work in contemporary mediums. My studio is a mess of circuit boards, plastic resins and paint. I spend my time meditating and splicing one material with another. I love the contrast I create between colours and textures, everything is in a constant juxtaposition. I am probably considered a painter by many, but I feel more like a sculptor who works on canvas. To me the challenge is to create something with ‘feeling’ that evokes strong feelings in others. I am not always successful and at times this journey is painful, especially when you make that connection. Often, I feel naked when this happens, because someone is looking at me without my armour of bullshit. After the initial shock dies down and I no longer feel as vulnerable, I realise I have achieved something, that I am not pretending, there is a genuine connection.
Meditation and being a flawed human being is the key to my creative ‘process’. I tend to start with the structure of the painting or the concept. This is very much a conscious act, a little bit like visualising a sandcastle. As I work further into the piece, the original idea is ‘washed away’ each time, the mental image compromised. Each subsequent layer of paint, plastic or texture becomes a response to the modified vision. This is where the structure gives way to the feeling and the conscious begins to merge with the unconscious. This can become difficult to reconcile at times, there is risk involved. Sometimes paintings become over-worked when they should be abandoned. Sometimes detail is lost, sometimes I get lost.
I think contextually my work exists somewhere between abstract expressionism and the conceptual art foragers, for whom, Marcel Duchamp’s ‘Readymade’ is the life blood. The reoccurring theme would be creation born of frustration, be it with others or with oneself. I long for a certain amount of creative freedom. I am attempting to avoid the potholes of over thinking. Concentrate on breathing, clear the mind, and follow intuition, well for as long as possible in a heavy duty filter mask.
I take my tools of expression, and all the techniques I have developed and in rare cases mastered, then I leave the safety of roads firmly travelled. My journey will take me into the unknown, the black void of nothingness. When I return I have unlocked a piece of the puzzle but paid for it with a piece of myself. This is the price all creative minds pay until ultimately there is no exchange left’.
You can view some of Mark’s work on our website: https://www.artexclusive.co.uk/collections/mark-edmonds
‘Sun, Colours and Imagination’ art exhibition by William Duncan and Alex Rezende
MAD WORLD photographic art exhibition by Gary Sheridan
MAD WORLD by GARY SHERIDAN
We are excited to announce Gary’s new exhibition which will take place at Chester Art Centre for 2 weeks starting on the 27th of August and will run until the 10th of September 2020. We’ve confirmed the private view for Thursday, the 27th of August, and will be equipped with face masks and disposable cups for Prosecco 🙂
It was whilst studying photography at the University of Wolverhampton in the UK that Gary found his passion for conceptual photography. His work draws on personal experience and his natural inquisitiveness in human behaviour.
He constructs a series of work from a concept, or he will see images in everyday life that speaks volumes to him. Whichever method of construction he uses, he intends the images to be multi-layered and engage the viewer thoughtfully and aesthetically. His work is vibrant, beautiful and seductive, with a vein of humour that runs through its body, just as life should be, yet life is not always a bed of roses and Gary’s work often breaks down the façade to reveal…
The Mad World exhibition features work from his latest award-winning series Waiting for the Tide to Turn, Are Friends Electric and In Dreams.
“In a mad world, only the mad are sane”
Recent Awards
Bronze Award – Tokyo International Foto Awards, Fine Art 2019 TIFA
Bronze Award – Worlds Top 10 Fashion Photo, Fine Art, One Eyeland 2019
3 x Honorable Mention – International Photography Awards, Fine Art Series 2019 IPA
Honorable Mention – International Photography Awards, Street Photography 2019 IPA
Nominee – Fine Art Photography Awards – Conceptual 2019 FAPA
Finalist – Worlds Top 10 Fashion Photo 2018 – Oneyeland
Honorable Mention – International Photography Awards, Fine Art Portrait 2018 IPA
The Kinky Life of Trees by Brigitte Watkinson
We are very excited to be showing Brigitte Watkinson’s ‘The Kinky Life of Trees’ from 16th April to 7th May 2020. Why not join us for the private view on Thursday, 16th April from 18:30 to 21:00.
Brigitte is a Cheshire artist who, nevertheless, was born and raised in the wooded hills and mountains of Bavaria, Germany, and now lives and works near Northwich, Cheshire. Her childhood was filled with wondrous and mysterious stories of anthropomorphic forests and creatures within; stories that have stayed with her to this day. Brigitte’s paintings are a reflection of these tales: she plays these out in her bold and outspoken paintings through unconventional materials, shapes, colours and textures.
The kinky life of trees is a body of work influenced by the writings of Peter Wohlleben and Colin Trudge, who have both written extensively about trees and the communication between them. This, combined with her heritage, manifested itself in the notion that trees not only have feelings, but also feelings for one another. The kinky life of trees has begun.
Brigitte is currently studying for a Master’s degree in Fine Art.
We look forward to seeing you on 16th April for wine, kinky trees and fantastic artwork!
You can see more of Brigitte’s paintings on her web page: www.makeslugsbeautiful.co.uk
Italy Seen With Different Eyes – Travel Photography by Marco Costa
Marco Costa is an Italian Energy Engineer by profession and travel photographer by circumstance. Thanks to his current role, he often has the chance to travel and explore Europe, including Italy, of course.
This exhibition focuses on the recurrent trips back to his home country, showing landscapes, urban scenes and architecture.
The pictures span from the mountains where he grew up to the recently explored Sicilian landscapes, Venice, Rome and the lake Maggiore, in the north of Italy.
It’s by no means a comprehensive summary of what many consider the most beautiful country in the world. It’s a collection of fragments, moments and views captured through the eyes of someone looking back at his motherland with renewed curiosity and interest that the detachment living abroad brings.
The exhibition will run for two weeks between 21 February and 10 March 2020. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, 22nd of February for the private view of some fantastic Italian views (and fantastic Italian wines!:-) )