The joy of spring, and our release from a long, hard winter is being brought to life in the bright and positive new online exhibition from Oxfordshire Artweeks, where over 200 pieces of art, craft and design will whet our appetites ahead of its May festival from 2nd April to 31st May.
“The spring on-line show is a rainbow of colour and talent,” says Esther Lafferty, Festival Director, “with plenty of spring promise and a rich seasonal collection celebrating the natural world as it awakens and everything that is good about spring.”
The vibrant exhibition includes both 2D and 3D pieces and bursts with seasonal art depicting flowers and summer fruit, spring meadows, bluebell woods and seascapes, from rolling green Oxfordshire to the coast and beyond in Tuscany, India and even the savannas of South Africa.
There is also lots of UK inspired work – a Cornish series includes by John Seaton‘s striking painting of Newquay, Anya Simmons‘ depiction of St Michael’s Mount or the atmospheric painting of Megavissey’s fishing port by Artweeks newcomer, Sabine Barber.
The exhibition also includes pottery, glass art, textiles and wood craft. One striking piece to watch out for is a contemporary sideboard made from oak, furniture linoleum and bead-blasted ash, designed and made by husband and wife team Adelaide and Ben Hinton of a+b furniture in East Challow. Inspired by mid-20th century Danish design, the lino door and drawers are faced in aquamarine and pale grey.
“Normally we open our workshop to the public in the spring for Artweeks,” says Adelaide. “This year, however, we have chosen to offer an on-line option for visitors instead. We hope they’ll like the look of the piece in this taster show, and come and see us in the virtual Artweeks festival in May.”
A similar story is being played out around Oxfordshire and the UK, which is exactly why Oxfordshire Artweeks is giving us this tantalising taste of what’s to come
“It’s been a challenging year for many artists and for the Artweeks organisation itself,” agrees Esther. “We hope that this online exhibition will get people planning.
From May 1, we’re offering everyone the chance to enjoy inspirational and safe days out in garden studios and airy spaces as the country unfurls, as well as a virtual festival to explore.”
In the meantime you can feast your eyes on the treasures in store from the likes of potter Jo Marshall, textile artist Ushma Sargeant and photographer Cliff Kinch.
The Artweeks Spring Show runs online from 2nd April to 31st May at http://www.artweeks.org/latestshow
Oxfordshire Artweeks runs from 1st-23rd May. Over 650 artists – including 100 new faces – are taking part in pop-up exhibitions and on-line to showcase their creative talent. Their creations range from paintings and photography to pottery and jewellery, stained glass, mosaics, textile art, furniture, sculpture and installations. Visitors to both venues and virtual studios will be able to hear artists talking about their inspiration, explaining their materials and, often, demonstrating their methods.
And for those staying at home, Artweeks is also presenting more than 20 themed art trails – from The Garden to The Coast – and hundreds of on-line exhibitions on the website http://www.artweeks.org
