Dates for your diary…
Fri 8 Jul. 6.30 – 8.30. Private View for Zoom in AF1 and AF2
Fri 8 Jul. Hear Nick Weekes play electro-acoustic music at the Stade Hall @7 pm.
Sat 9 Jul. Anna Keiller has a studio sale of ceramics. See Members Announcements.
Sat 16 Jul. St Leonards Festival 12 – 8 pm in Warrior Square.
Fri 22 Jul. Len Shelley and Angie Biltcliff – “A Retrospective” . see under ‘Exhibitions Elsewhere.
Stop Press….
Le Retour de Michel Guille. Michel is back in St Leonards until 31 July. He is still offering French Conversation on Thursday afternoons at the Forum. French conversation will continue during August led by Pierre and friends. Michel hopes to be back in September.
Denise Griffiths. Congratulations to Denise who has been notified that she is one of 20 winners selected from over 1,000 entries to receive a prize for the design of a textile to cover a deck chair. The competition was organised by the Museum together with Hastings BC.
There will be an exhibition of the winning entries at Sussex Coast College in September.
St Leonards Festival. This year’s festival is on Saturday 16 July and runs from noon until 8pm in Warrior Square. Entry is free and the festival is billed as ‘alcohol free’. There will be music and other entertainment.
Stall holders are welcome, but you need to book first at tel no 438291. Prices for stalls range from £25 – £50. Bring your own table and stall furniture. Amongst the stall-holders are the recently award-winning restaurant, ‘Taj Mahal‘.
Nick Weekes will perform at the Stade Hall, Fri 8 Jul against a photographic exhibition . See members announcements
Sales. Sales have continued the momentum of the last month. Victoria Kiff and Alistair Kendry in AF1 and Colin Heavingham in AF2, sold fifteen pieces between them at prices ranging from £ 70 – £200.00. Comments in the ‘visitors book’ make it clear that the public have engaged with these two shows, and that prices are very affordable. The artists in all three cases made a conscious decision on affordability.
Cathryn Kemp is artist in residence at St Mary-in-the-Castle, 7 – 31 July. She will be working with textiles and sound within the intense atmosphere of the crypt, which houses a member of the Austen family.
Cathryn said: ‘I am delighted to be working in St Mary’s, I feel my work which deals with rites of passage and emotional geneology, will make an interesting collaboration with the space.’
Drop-In dates will be announced soon.
http://www.stmaryinthecastle.com/Events.html
www.cathrynkemp.com
Loom for sale from Emily Johns – see members announcements.
Photographers!! Sussex Coast College Hastings is launching a new advanced photography course commencing September 2011: “The BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) is a specialist vocational programme with a strong work related emphasis. The programme is over two years (two & half days per week). The course is taught by experienced academic staff, all of whom have a background in industry and currently work in industry. Their knowledge is invaluable at bringing this course to life and giving you the best balance of theory with practical application. You will be assessed by a carefully selected mix of assignments, presentations & portfolio. For more details or an informal discussion please contact Head of Division Martin Symons, msymons@sussexcoast.ac.uk or HE Administrator Hannah King, hking@sussexcoast.ac.uk. To apply please use the Apply link on our website or come into our Station Plaza Campus to speak to a Student Adviser.” For further detail see at the end of this bulletin.
Members Show. The Arts Committee has decided to add a further Members Show to the Forum exhibition calendar 2011 as follows. This will take place in AF2 . Submissions are invited as follows.
20 Jul – 2 Aug. Members, surnames A – L. One piece per member. Hand-in, Mon 18 Jul 10 – 1 pm, unless by prior arrangement. Collect Wed, 3 Aug 10 – 1 pm.
2 – 17 Aug. Members, surnames M – Z . One piece per member. Hand-in on Mon 1 Aug 10 – 1pm, unless by prior arrangement. Collect, Wed 17 Aug10 – 1pm.
Mark Fisher’s Woodland Art Days. Mark is staging a new idea of tutored painting sessions, with a ‘delicious’ picnic in his own woodland of four acres.. He promises the picnic is worth the journey alone!! will be See Members’ announcements.
Marybeth Haas wants us to unwind – relax through ‘dance’ .
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up” Pablo Picasso
For more see members announcements.
Current Exhibitions…
Zoom exhibits in both Forum galleries. 7 – 19 July
7 – 19 July in AF1. Zoom is a collective of local visual artists from diverse backgrounds, with ages spanning six decades from 20′s to 70′s, who are united by a passion for experimental, exploratory and expressive approaches to our work.
Inspired by one another, we thrive on the challenge of cooperating, collaborating and integrating as practitioners using different styles and a wide range of media, including photography, digital, paint, pastels and mixed media.
We draw our influences from the world around us, rural, urban and seaside; from people, animals and nature; from history, current affairs and popular culture; from others we admire; from music, dance, and ice-skating; the mundane; the night; patterns and repetition; from concepts of alienation and otherness, the universe and existence; life and death; from ourselves and our internal worlds and memories; from the spaces in which we exhibit; from shared projects or themes.
Zoom started in May 2005 with only 7 photographers, and now has 24 members from all parts of the arts disciplines. The group has never been in receipt of arts grants, and has to manageon its own budget.
There are 12 participants of Zoom in this exhibition.
Barbara Williams currently works in mixed media with an exploratory and expressive approach.
Claire O’Shaughnessy is a photography graduate with a background in art and design, her recent work has included the transformation of the mundane using the effects of long exposures.
Debbie Ward is a contemporary artist inspired by nature and the evolution of life. Debbie often explores these subjects through colourful printmaking techniques.
Denise Griffiths works distinctively with pastels, paints and charcoal, particularly inspired by urban dynamism, people and the 1920′s to 1950′s.
Hayley Small studied art and design at Hastings College. She often combines painting and textiles to produce delicate portraits or images of the figure.
John Shanks, with a background in theatre, politics, social work, education and art, presents photographic portraits of buildings, also constructed images and stories.
Laura Wilde is currently studying for a Foundation Diploma and is interested in using art as therapy. Her painting in oils and acrylics is inspired mostly by inner thoughts and feelings, and life experiences.
Louise Etgart has a Diploma in Art and Design and is now studying for a degree in Contemporary Fine Art. She paints and draws and is currently experimenting with Printing, Sculpture, Photography and Film.
Marie Ford is studying for a Fine Art degree. She is influenced by visual memories, patterns, and practical and repetitive tasks in her work with collage, painting, printing and ceramics.
Mike Leale sees himself as an artisan rather than an artist. Moving on from his experiments with scanography he is now enjoying just taking pictures. His backgound is in advertising and editorial photography.
Penny Hobson is principally an installation artist and lives close to the sea; she is also photographer and uses relevant images in the hope of capturing the viewers’ imagination.
Sandra Everley has a Diploma in Fine Art. At heart an acrylic painter, she is experimenting with printing and etching. Recent themes have been animals and insects Her work tends to evolve as she goes along, rather than being planned.
Allena Tyrell is exhibiting in AF 2, 21 Jul – 2 Aug. Allena is a founding member of the Hastings Arts Forum – way back in 2003, when the Forum met as a small group of activists in pubs and other private venues determined to raise the profile of the arts in Hastings. She has a wide area of interest, including Gothic Art.
Allena Tyrell – Artist’s Statement
My pictures, show various scenes, based on the real world, I am very influenced, by all kinds of films and photographs, particularly the most blurred wobbly ones, 1970’s Instamatic snaps of car wrecks, 2011 CCTV night cops. Or, the very worst cheap mobile phone cameras, corny Hammer horror flicks or badly drawn cartoons, but never, using the good photo shots, simply because it seems, a waste of time. Some of these works are natural and organic, with very little photographic influence.
My future direction is to be, more realistic, and experimental, whilst retaining the texture and quality of the paint. To Work outside of the studio, much more, whatever the weather is like. However, don’t fancy, tying myself to the mast of a sailing ship,during a violent storm in the English Channel, mainly because I can’t swim, very well.
Members Show , (surnames A – Z), 21 Jul – 2 Aug. Drop- in work on Monday morning, between 10am -1pm. Other times by arrangement only. Please note that this members show is in AF2 only. Submission fee is £10.
Alex Leadbeater.” Ebb and Flow” 4 – 16 Aug in AF1.
Ebb & Flow is a series of painting and prints inspired by the ocean and life in Hastings, from the frothy sea’s edge to the distant horizon. The nearest wave as it crashes or simply washes onshore is an endless fascination as colour and form exist for a unique moment.
Working with energy like the wave itself, paint is applied to canvas or paper, by brushing, dripping or spraying. The nature of water-based paints allows re-working over several layers which may be finished in one session or several sessions. Sometimes the marks gather together in a crest, or seem to float like flotsam, across the surface.
The exhibition includes tiny watercolour paintings and boundless life-size waves, as well as prints and cards.
Alexandra studied at Bath Academy of Art and has a BA in Fine Art from Lancaster. Her first exhibition was selected by Adrian Henri for the Serpentine Summer Show in 1981, and since then she has shown in public and private galleries in the UK as well as Brazil, Lithuania, Florida, and has work in several private and corporate collections
Members’ Show (M – Z). 4 – 16 Aug in AF2 only. Submission fee is £10.00
Exhibitions Elsewhere…
Gill Gallery. Now open again after re-furbishing and currently showing work by Martin Pearce and from his collections. Also showing are works by Helen Brough, who has exhibited in New York and London.
HastingsMuseum and Art Gallery.The new brochure covering events at the Museum, up to January 2012 has recently been issued. On 23 July there will be a retrospective exhibition of Len Shelley (1964 – 2010) and Angie Bitcliffe, The exhibition will be opened by Jeremy Birch on Fri22 Jul @ 6-8pm and open to the public from Sat 23 Jul – 23 Oct.
“Take Five” is a group show, including Forum members Siobhan Hanlon and Lynne Bingham 21 Jun – 23 Jul. Open Monday – Saturday, 1030 – 5 and 6 – 8pm.
Members’ Announcements…
Nick Weekes. On Fri 8 Jul will perform sound pieces at the opening of the latest show at The Stade, Hastings Old Town. His sonic collaboration with veteran avant-garde Jazz musician Geoff Leigh is a curated response to the photographic show ‘In Between’ which features the work of twin brothers Phillip and Anthony Reed.
Nick will be working with improvised sound from ‘instruments’ as bizarre as pine branches, while Geoff uses a range of flutes and electronics. Nick says: ‘We are in the business of sculpting the air with found sound from sources as diverse as playing bits of wood, toy bows and arrows and bric-a-brac. I try to offset Geoff’s complete professionalism with shamanistic nuisance.
Emily Johns has a loom for sale !! Floor loom made by George and John Maxwell (Ditchling, The Guild of St Joseph and St Dominic), 8 heddle. Approx 4 foot x 4 foot x 4 foot. £300.
Central St Leonards, Emily Johns 719 570
Mark Fisher’s Woodland Art Days: this is a tutored art project day at our own 4 acre woods with all materials provided and a delicious alfresco lunch. These days are suitable for all abilities and are kept to a maximum of 10 people. At the end of the day everyone will go home with a piece of work created by their own artistic endeavours. These days are a great day out for friends or as a gift day, we also arrange days for groups and company outings.
All the projects will take their inspiration from the beautiful woodland location. Example projects include mixed media, collage, ‘found art’ work and print making with some including the use of natural pigments sourced from the woods. Cost is £45 with deals available on group and multiple bookings.
Further information about these days and photos are on Mark’s websitewww.markfisherart.co.uk.
Anna keiller’s Studio sale of ceramic sculptures in my studio in Dudley Road Saturday July 9th at 6-9 pm.. All welcome! Please contact her at studio@annakeiller.co.uk for more info.
Marybeth Haas posts.‘E c s t a t I c Trance Dance, a moving meditation. Weds 22 June, 20 July, 17 Aug at Assembly Rooms, Masonic Hall, St Leonards TN38 0DR. Get out of your head and into your body; dance freestyle to a variety of rhythms, grooves and beats, punctuated with live percussion. See www.conscious-arts.co.uk/dance, 01424 460477′.
Caroline Macey organises Life Drawing Sessions every Thursday 10 – 12 noon at Ore Community Centre at 10 am-12 noon. £7 at the door. Beginning 0n 7 July, evening sessions, 7.30 – 9.30. Tel : 079 23 49 44 15
Andrey Shipilov posts. I do computer repairs. I am also a creative and active local artist in graphic design and photography, recently graduated from Hastings Art College with distinction.
I am looking for local freelance work or any other work , which will give me recognition as a graphic designer / photographer.
I am familiar with Adobe Creative Suite such as Photoshop and Illustrator and I am happy to help anyone requiring these skills.
(Andrey is a Forum volunteer helping with the Hanging Team and the IT team).
FILM…
St Leonards Film Soc is on summer break until September.
POETRY …
The Poetry Group met, Saturday 2 Jul at 5 pm. The theme was “books “. suggested by Stacey Lane..This was voted as one of the best meetings so far. Most amusement was gained from Sue Coates ‘s poem, “The Italian Phrase Book”
The Italian Phrase Book
He came to me in Rome, my beautiful Indian man,
Erudite, well read, in Hindi, French and Mandarin.
He brought, in his unworldly way, a phrase book from his shelves,
English to Italian, printed eighteen forty three.
Bound in dark-skinned leather, embossed and tooled in gold.
Beautiful to look at and beautiful to hold.
We decide to take the train from Roma Termini.
Up to the ticket man he goes, his phrase book in his hand.
“Good fellow, may we ride with the postillion
And will you take our trunk?”
I rescue him with “Due biglietti per favore”
Weeks later our relationship is sadly on the wane.
He is so clever, seducing me with flights of knowledge
Gleaned from a life of books,
Indian mythology and Chinese politics,
Jesuit teachings and French philosophy.
He puts his ideas and his words together with such dazzle,
But he cannot put his life together.
I cannot cope with him any more.
It must come to an end.
We are drinking what I know to be our last bottle of red wine.
I should never have had my third glass.
“You are like the Italian phrase book” in my cups I say to him.
“You are beautiful, dark-skinned, gold embossed,
A work of anachronistic genius, and
no fucking use to anyone.”
Never can I forget what I have said.
That I should use a book to wound, so deep to cut;
I who profess to love books yet could not love this one.
For he had no covers to contain his pages,
No bindings to bind his chaos.
My words should have been cut out before they left my tongue,
Deleted; torn out before they cut him down.
©. Sue Coates