Art / Centrespace Gallery
A spotlight on Bristol illustrators and abstract artists at Centrespace
With its busy programme of exhibitions and its central yet unobtrusive location, Centrespace Gallery continues to offer an important platform for artists of all disciplines to show their work in Bristol.
In mid-October, the gallery will play host to four established Bristol illustrators in a group exhibition called We’re Here Now.
Together, the group will be exhibiting a range of their recent personal projects “spanning newspapers, children’s books, design, public art, and beyond”.
is needed now More than ever
Henning Löhlein, Fried eggs – photo: courtesy of the artist
Joe Berger, Negroni – photo: courtesy of the artist
German-born Henning Löhlein is characterised for his children’s book illustrations (with over 50 published titles bearing his name), and his humorous, large-scale oil paintings.
Also no stranger to children’s book authorship and illustration, Joe Berger has also been working as a printmaker, cartoonist and animator for over three decades.
Adrian Barclay, Plimsoll Bridge control tower – photo: courtesy of the artist
Danny Jenkins, Man made of meat – photo: courtesy of the artist
Adrian Barclay has provided illustration and design work for non-fiction and educational books, magazines and newspapers, and now creates artwork for hospitals around the world. For this exhibition, he has chosen to show prints and paintings of Spanish landscapes, as well as those from his home city.
Making up the quartet is Danny Jenkins, who has been working as a designer and illustrator since the 90s, known for his vivid colour palettes, playful aesthetic and eye for detail, as well as his ability to work to a wide range of creative briefs.
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We’re Here Now featuring @_dannyjenkins, @_joeberger, @henninglohlein and @marlesandbarclay is at Centrespace on October 10-15 at 10am-6pm.
There will be a private view on October 11 at 6-9pm, a solo trumpet music event from Pete Judge on October 12 at 6-7.30pm, and a closing celebration on October 15 at 6-8pm. Follow @whnbristol for exhibition updates.
Two weeks later, an all-female group of abstract artists arrives at Centrespace with their first collaborative exhibition, Wild Within – a title chosen to reflect their mutual unwillingness to take “the traditional path”, as well as the degree of self-expression within their creative process.
Four painters – namely Danielle Neill, Jazz Potter, Jenni Stuart and Sky Siouki, and one ceramicist, Emily Gibbard, were inspired to create the group show when they recognised the connections in their practice.
A Stormy Interlude #5, Sky Siouki – photo: courtesy of the artist
She Lay Down Within The Sea, Jenni Stuart, mixed media painting – photo: courtesy of the artist
“We are united by our expressive approach; unbound and wild, we each create based on what we feel”, they explain.
“We share a brave and bold sense of femininity at the heart of each of our practices. For some of us it manifests visually as curvaceous feminine forms and self-reflections, for others it’s motherhood and reconnecting with our childhood roots.
Contemporary abstract painting by Jazz Potter – photo: courtesy of the artist
Emily Gibbard ceramic sculpture – photo: Andre Pattenden
“For some of us our femininity is more about spiritual empowerment, allowing nature and our intuition to lead us, tapping into our deepest emotions and channelling that into our work.
“For all of us, our art is an outlet, an expression and a voice that we perhaps wouldn’t feel comfortable or able to share without paint or clay leading the way.”
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Wild Within is at Centrespace on October 31-November 5 from 10am-6pm, with a preview on October 30 from 6.30-9pm, with drinks, conversation and DJ sets from Andy the Strange and Koko Brown.
Follow the artists @danielleneilldesigns, @totterdown_potterdown, @jazz_potter09, @jennistuart_artist and @skysiouki for updates.
Main photo: Danielle Neil
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