The Shakespeare 2017 exhibition

The Shakespeare pub 1 Henry Street, Totterdown, Bristol, UK

I'm delighted to have curated a lovely new collection of originals and affordable prints for The Shakespeare which were launched at Totterdown Front Room Art Trail in November last year. It is an eclectic mix from some of my favourite Bristol artists.

Little tin gods and a pair of shades by Andrew Burns Colwill acrylic and soak stain on untreated canvas £385

In the line up this year we have the fabulous Andrew Burns Colwill who has quite a year creating three new exhibitions as well as doing cracking walls at Upfest and Cheltenham Paint Festival. Always a prolific artist Andy has really hit his stride with his take on environmental, social and political issues over the last two years. Often poignant, sometimes challenging and usually with a fair amount of dark humour thrown in his beautiful soak stained canvasses tell a story with a big message.

The elephant in the room by Julian Quaye Signed limited edition framed print £80

We also have the anthropomorphic genius of low brow art Julian Quaye. His is a collection of weird and wonderful characters with their own back stories have an Edwardian and Victorian feel with political undertones beneath the surface. Jules has been concentrating on some new black and white designs of his iconic Aviator and Mr Snuggles this year. I'm really looking forward to seeing the prints that he gives us for this year's trail.

Sugar Almond by Giles Barwick Acrylic on canvas £175

Abstract artist Giles Barwick will be showing us some of his lovely work. His work is ever evolving and changing he says ‘The focus of my work is doing something better. I look at other artists and I need to achieve something different. To me it seems like other people are doing the same. That’s how my work with faces came about as people were doing works around eyes but not with taking eyes out. These naturally evolved into the more abstract work I am doing now.’ Painting for him is a form of meditation in dealing with Crones disease. He says ‘It’s a focus that takes my mind away from what is happening. When I’m painting I’m not thinking.’

Keep Taking the Tablets by Mary Rouncefield original watercolour on paper £150

I'm really looking forward to seeing Mary Rouncefield's new work. Mary is a Bristol based printmaker and artist working in drawing, textiles and some screen print. I find her art fascinating. She has a life long interest in mathematics and many of her screen prints feature mathematical graphs or patterns. She also uses the symbol of a corset as a metaphor for the mental discipline imposed by mathematics. The end result, for the mathematician, will often be elegant, concise and beautiful, but to achieve that, she/he must conform to the conventions and logic of their subject.

The girl with the Smurf tattoo by Jimmer Willmot Original acrylic on canvas £450

A new artist to the Shakespeare I'm thrilled to announce that we will be having work from Bristol pop-surrealist Jimmer Willmott. I've been hoping to feature Jimmer's work for some time so I am really chuffed that we will be showcasing his unique collection of sugar coated irreverent crazy.

The Adjustment by Neil Roberts £1000

We will also have a new selection of work from the one man ideas factory that is South African born Neil Roberts who has adopted Bristol as his chosen home. Neil is a multi-talented artist taking his inspiration from his creative photography and translating it into art. Over many years Neil has been working on a series of oil paintings which will one day result in a powerful mystical tarot deck. His photo realistic artworks have often been mistaken for his brilliant photographs - such is is skill.

Links:

The Shakespeare on Facebook

Shakespeare exhibition for Front Room art trail 2018

Shakspeare exhibition for Front Room art trail 2019