Helen Hardaker
10th June - 18th July
Wednesdays-Saturdays 10.30am until 4pm
Prema Arts Centre, South Street, Uley, GL11 5SS
A special collaborative exhibition at Prema with Helen Hardaker, Helen Blencowe, Lucy Inder and Amanda Gee.
If you're making a special trip over to see any of the exhibitions at Prema do give them a tinkle on 01453 860703 just to check that all spaces are available for viewing for the time of your visit. We're often open at weekends too although the upstairs gallery may not be accessible due to a workshop taking place within the gallery.
Helen Hardaker
Helen Hardaker
www.helenhardaker.co.uk
@helenhardakerwilliams
Helen Hardaker's narrative-fuelled paintings, drawings and prints describe ambiguous human landscapes, some furious, some funny; all questioning the certainty and uncertainty of life and living on a shared planet. Subjects and themes include questions on inequality, conversions on globalisation, memories, histories and the future of social kingdoms (animal and human) all from a deeply human perspective.
The techniques and materials used play into the experience of viewing the art as a language. Bold application of paint, ink, oil and smudge, invites the audience to the find meaning in the characters; their movements, presence and interactions with each other and the life clutter and events unfolding on the canvas, page or surface.
From Hardaker’s perspective, art-making can be presented as a form of visual thinking and meaning, supporting the conceptualisation of art as a language rather like a message, a shout, the sound of a bugle calling for attention to be heard, a roar, something raw or a rahhhh!
Helen Blencowe
Helen Blencowe
www.helenblencowe.com
@helenblencowe
Helen Blencowe is an abstract artist based in Stroud. She makes intuitive paintings that feel calming and joyful, using gestural brushwork and mark making.
When working in her studio, the artist allows herself to play and explore, expressing emotions she is feeling in the moment. Discovering marks, textures and colour combinations that feel inviting. The process is therapeutic and grounding, bringing the artist into the present moment.
Her work is characterised by building layers to create an exciting surface to work with, before standing back and beginning the editing process; introducing more delicate, calm considered marks, whilst trying to keep the feeling of freshness and spontaneity. Always searching for balance.
Lucy Inder
Lucy Inder
www.lucyinder.co.uk
@lucyinderartist
Based in Stroud, Lucy Inder is a landscape painter whose paintings are full of colour and pattern reminiscent of the Fauvists. After attending art school in Cardiff, Lucy had a teaching career in which she taught art at secondary school level for over 25 years. Since painting full time, Lucy has had two sell out exhibitions in Stroud.
“I love the five valleys and surrounding hills for the inspiration they provide. Ever changing through the seasons. I see walking though the hills and valleys as a feast of hues and patterns, the colours and tones are soul-food and a wonderful inspiration for my paintings. Evocative repetitious lines and marks of the landscape reminding me of childhood textiles, patchwork shapes and tasty colour. My walks are my escapism - I look to the distance and often imagine places I would like to explore. I search for shapes, colours and lost horizons to draw from and paint.”
Painting enables the artist to build their own language of expression, creating marks and layers of colour and texture to describe the views and landscapes which shape her life. Lucy locates shapes which sing out like jewels of colour, translating them into her own painted creations.
Amanda Gee
www.amandageeartist.org.uk
@geeamanda555
Amanda Gee’s new intuitive work is a series of recent paintings using acrylic paint on canvas. Her work presents an opportunity to explore memories, ideas and dreams with a chance to dig deep into ongoing personal themes around symbolism, stories, relationships and emotions.
Some of her new paintings began by creating marks on dark surfaces using white paint to express the initial image and then colour added later. Drawing with paint is a new style for Amanda and she is enjoying the challenge and exploring new dimensions to her creative practice.