Jane Calvert, Matthew West, Nerissa Parker, Nathan
Parker, Tamsin Smith and Emma Edwards
30 July – 5 August 2014
- Senary, meaning ‘containing six’, is a new exhibition of work by six artists and makers at the Gardens Gallery in Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham. The exhibition runs daily 10am – 5pm from July 30 to August 5.
- ‘Our work is diverse, both in terms of media and inspiration’, explains Emma Edwards, ‘and, as such, has something for everyone’. The exhibition includes jewellery, collage and photography, spray painted canvasses, and sculpture.
- Cheltenham-based artist, Jane Calvert’s latest body of work ‘Ghosts’ uses assemblage, collage, photography and transfer techniques to explore themes of memory. Three jewellers present a varied selection of work: Nerissa Parker creates exquisitely crafted, timeless pieces, including poison rings and lockets; Emma Edwards recent projects have been inspired by the workings of a clock whilst her current work is a more organic collection; and Tamsin Smith’s work takes Indian calligraphy as an inspiration, applying gold using an ancient Korean technique. Matthew West is a Sculptor, Conservator and Blacksmith whose recent work includes Ironwork Lanterns and Pigeon for Pittville Gates, Cheltenham. Nathan Parker works predominantly in spray paint and takes inspiration for his portraits in aboriginal art and graffiti. Weather permitting, Nathan will be painting live at the gallery on the evening of Thursday 31 July.
- Emma Edwards graduated in 2011 with a 2.1 in Design Crafts where she specialised in jewellery.
- Â In 2013 she gained a teaching qualification and currently works as a tutor for ArtShape and Adult Education in Gloucestershire. She became a member of the Cheltenham Group of Artists in 2014.
- Emma works predominantly with silver and often incorporates text from an old dictionary in her work either on the front or on the reverse.
- Recent projects have been inspired by the workings of a clock and her current work is a more organic collection.
- Jane Calvert graduated from Cheltenham Art College in 1989 with a degree in fine art sculpture. Since then she has exhibited continuously  both around the county and across the U.K. She is a founder member of artists group the artdepot. She teaches art classes and workshops and is a regular artists for the Gloucester Christmas lantern parade.
- Ghosts is a new body of work incorporating assemblage, collage, photography and transfer techniques. It is much more personal than past work. Jane explores themes of memory and influence, death and change. She continues to work with found objects and to play with visual rhythms and mark making.
- Matthew West, born in 1970, studied Fine Art at Pittville, Cheltenham and then Sculpture at Cardiff Institute. Matthew works as a Sculptor, Conservator and Blacksmith.
- Recent work includes: Ironwork Lanterns and Pigeon for Pittville Gates, Cheltenham, Restoration work at Hampton Court Palace, Surrey,The National Maritime Museum (Nelson Exhibition) Greenwich, Commissioned work for the National Trust.
- Matthew has a studio/workshop in Cheltenham –Private Commissions are welcomed.
- Nathan Parker. I am an artist and illustrator who enjoys working in different mediums, my favorite being spray paint.
- I paint portraits using realism as a reference point for more abstract experimentation. The images are built in layers that become ambiguous and open to interpretation from the viewer. I am inspired by aboriginal art and graffiti; aesthetically and conceptually with their self evolved visual languages, dual meanings, temporal quality and its basis in culture, people and environment rather than just commerce.
- I have taken part in exhibitions in the UK and abroad. I have worked for both community based projects as well as commercial projects including China Whites and Red Bull. My work can be seen on walls in numerous places in the midlands where I am based as well as Bristol, Manchester, London, Barcelona, Sydney and Melbourne. I graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a BA(Hons) in Illustration.
- Drawing and painting has always been my passion and I practice it everyday. The execution gives me as much pleasure as the end product.
- Nerissa Parker, I graduated from London Guildhall University with a BA hons in Jewellery, Silversmith and Allied crafts. I went on to complete a Post Graduate Certificate in Education at The Institute of Education followed by a Post Graduate Diploma in Jewellery at Birmingham Jewellery School. In 2010 I set up Kingham Jewellery School to teach traditional jewellery making techniques.
- As a designer I draw inspiration from traditional jewellery making techniques and aspire to a high level of craftsmanship. I design pieces that challenge me as a maker.
- From these influences I hope to make beautiful objects to treasure that have a timeless, almost unreal quality.
- Tamsin Smith, I work predominantly in silver, often using fabric and paper to create texture and surface pattern. Colour is introduced using semi-precious stones and the ancient Korean technique of kuem-boo (fusing 24ct gold to silver). I also enjoy working with copper for the iridescent colours it produces when heated.
- Each of my pieces is a one-off but if you would like me to design something similar for you or make a piece for a special occasion, do get in touch.
For further information visit the artist’s websites:
http://emmaedwardsblog.blogspot.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jane-Clatworthy-studios/155966507774496
Open daily 10am – 5pm
Entry Free
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