It’s all go in South Oxfordshire this week as Oxfordshire Artweeks continues at a cracking pace.
Visit Brightwell Village Artists in Stewart Village Hall, Ayres House Studio in Wallingford and 11 artists from Chalgrove Art Group in St. Mary’s Church in Chalgrove, plus art by the children from Chalgrove Community Primary School.
This year Angela Lenman, a batik artist known for her colourful exotic scenes, joins the hugely talented Brightwell Village Artists who are exhibiting this weekend (21–23 May).
As seen in Varanasi VIP her contemporary work resonates with the past. “They are real places I have seen on my travels,” she explains. “I am drawn to the old and the delapidated, because these things have lived and have a tale to tell.”
She joins the versatile collection of work in the Stewart Village Hall, in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell where Brightwell Village Artists have shown their work for the past 17 years (except in 2020) with John Stephen, Valerie Dearlove and Judith Payne who are active members of Abingdon Art Club.
The village lies opposite the iconic Wittenham Clumps, as eternalized by famous artist Paul Nash. Local artists who are also paying their respects are John Stephen and Lin Kerr.
Valerie Dearlove on the other hand is an Outsider Artist working in oil on canvas. Her work has been described as primitive and unique, with a clever sense of colour. The narrative is particularly moving in Father’s Adulation which shows the fathers’ pride in his clever daughter. (see main pic)
Versatile artist Harry Megaw is also showing a beautiful clay figure sculpture titled Sarah, alongside his paintings.
John Stephen, like so many figure painters, has been relying on Zoom workshops to enable him to paint his Gauguinesque work (see above) rendered in heavy impasto.
Paul Gibbs, whose work White Cliffs in acrylics has been selected to represent Brightwell Village Hall Artists, uses strong dramatic colours. His landscapes and seascapes are frequently drawn from Northumberland and the Scottish Borders – the excitement and the grandeur of the coast and the unique rolling hills.
“My work has definitely been my saviour this year”
He says: “The natural beauty of this area is very special because the area is under exploited and under populated so enhanced by the open skies.”
Just up the road at the stunning 12th century St. Mary’s Church in Chalgrove, 11 artists from Chalgrove Art Group are showing paintings, sketches, ceramics, wood, jewellery and more until May 23. Art by the children from Chalgrove Community Primary School will also be on display, with a late night on Thursday.
Highlights include Karen Joy‘s abstract landscapes based on the wonderful rolling views of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, the Chilterns and the Cotswolds.
“I paint to keep exploring the colours, textures, mark making by pushing myself to portray our wonderful countryside, be it literally or emotionally. My work has definitely been my saviour this year,” she says.
“In photography I’ve found my creative outlet”
Stuart Feurtado‘s photographs are as eye-catching – whether intimate landscapes, abstract landscapes, seascapes, macro images of plants and animals, or stand alone abstracts.
“For me photography allows me to break the world down into manageable portions which engage and challenge my mind. Some images may not look natural but represent what I saw in my minds’ eye when pressing the shutter button. In photography I’ve found my creative outlet,” he says.
Jim Robinson‘s ‘Oxford Under Wraps’, watercolour pencil drawings hint at the narrative behind. Inspired by a view of the High Street, look closer and you can often spot the quirky underbelly of the city.
Then at Ayres Studio in Wallingford 11 artists are exhibiting until May 23 with an impressive range of ceramics, painting, drawing, sculpture, performance, video, sound, installation, mosaics, photography, dance, print, textiles, upholstery, conservation and writing to enjoy.
These multi-disciplinary artists sell work nationally and internationally, but now its your turn to meet the artists who work at the former rectory and studios in Wallingford.
Ayres House manager, Emma Souter said: “Luckily our artists have all been able to work behind closed doors and we are looking forward to finally being able to share our work with the public and shake off the Covid cobwebs.”
Go to www.ayreshousestudios.co.uk for more info.
When you have enjoyed these visual feasts do make your way to the neighbouring venues, such as the North Moreton Artists at Venue 187 to enjoy the fabulous wooden rocking horses, ceramics and paintings.
Oxfordshire Artweeks continues until May 23. For more info go to https://www.artweeks.org
