Preview of Why I Draw, Bolton

 

I had a fantastic time this afternoon at the opening of “Why I Draw” at Hive Gallery in Bolton. A huge thank you to curator Andy Smith for his incredible technical expertise and for inviting me to be part of such a wonderful, diverse group of artists. Thank you also to Hive Gallery for being exceptional hosts—your space is both stunning and welcoming—and to Alison Timmins for her invaluable assistance and last-minute tweaks that brought my projection piece to life. You’re all amazing!

If you’re in Bolton on a Friday or Saturday between now and 1st March, I highly recommend stopping by. The gallery is open from 1–5pm, and it’s well worth a visit!

Photos 2 and 5 appear courtesy of Jeffrey Knopf.

Why I Draw – Twelve Artists Explain

Opening on Saturday, 18th January 2025, at Hive Gallery in Bolton, this group exhibition highlights artists who incorporate drawing as a vital element in their creative practice. Each participant was invited to submit 1–3 pieces for curation, along with a written explanation of how this ancient and fundamental medium enhances—or is essential to—their work.

I’m thrilled to have my work featured alongside pieces by Alan Baker, James David Gibson, Bethan Hamilton, Maggie Hargreaves, Vicki Jones, Robert McLeod, Paddy O’Donnell, Radhika Parekh, Sam, Esther Womack, and Matthew Wood. The exhibition will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 1–5pm until 1st March 2025—don’t miss it!

Falling Faintly, Faintly Falling Opening Soon

A collection of artists postcards and selected larger works inspired by James Joyce’s short story “The Dead” will be on display from Friday 10th January until 1st February. Hosted by “They Come, They Sit, They Go” and Finch Café; the exhibition is co-curated by Caroline McCambridge and Belinda Worsley.

Join them for a magical soirée of performance, poetry, and perfume, featuring Katie Houston, Bernard Walsh, Lucy Dixon, Clare Jarrett, and Rosa Mat. Here, you will also be able to experience “Narnia, a bespoke scent created especially for the show by Steven Calver.

The opening event takes place on Friday, 10th January, at Finch Cafe, 12 Sidworth Street, London E8 3SD, from 6–9pm. All are welcome!

Sadly, I won’t be able to attend due to work commitments but will be there in spirit.

Preview night: Paper Cuts at 50MV

What a fantastic evening in Crosby! A huge thank you to Luke Skiffington for being an incredible host, and to everyone who came out to support the Paper Cuts 2 show.

If you couldn’t make it, there’s still time to catch the exhibition. It’s open by appointment from December 1st to December 3rd. All artwork is available for purchase through the gallery and online.

Suite Open Studios… Coming Soon!

Suite warmly invites you to join us on the 6th and 7th of December, where mulled wine and nibbles will help keep the winter chill at bay. While I’ll only be there on Friday, the event is perfectly timed to coincide with the open studios at Hotbed Press, offering plenty to explore across multiple floors. It’s the perfect opportunity to drop by, have a chat, and soak up the creative atmosphere. We’d love to see you there!

I’ll also have a selection of works from my back catalogue available for purchase. Whether you’re treating yourself to a new piece of art or searching for the perfect gift, I’d be delighted to assist. Framing and delivery can be arranged upon request, making it even easier to bring a special piece into your home or share it with someone you care about.

Opening times: 6th December 5-9pm and 7th December 11-5pm

Upcoming show Paper Cuts 2 at 50 MV, Liverpool

The countdown to Paper Cuts 2 is officially underway! Join us for the opening event on Saturday, 30th November, from 5-7pm, where we’ll gather for drinks in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The exhibition will then run by appointment from 1st to 3rd December.

Nestled in a Mersey View unit, just a short walk from the iconic Anthony Gormley installation on Crosby Beach, this intimate space will showcase an exciting and diverse collection of artists including: Ally Wallace, Beth Jones, Credo, Daniel Halsall, Elizabeth Challinor, Ellie Towers, Fiona Stirling, Frances Disley, Frea Buckler, Graham Lister, Hayley Harman, James Bacchi-Andreoli, Jennifer Douglas, Landlines Studio, Luke Skiffington, Marc Renshaw, Mark Brogan and Ruby Tingle.

We’d be delighted to see you there! For those traveling from outside Liverpool, the gallery’s postcode is LL22 6QB. Don’t miss this wonderful celebration of paper based creativity!

The Rose Project at Paradise Works

 

I had the pleasure of stopping by Paradise Works briefly this evening to experience Belinda Worsley’s installation, Rose is a Rose is a Rose, beautifully displayed in Jeffrey Knopf’s studio.

It was a joy to reconnect with familiar faces and meet so many new ones there. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who came for the engaging conversations, to Belinda for inviting me to be part of this inspiring project, and to Jeffrey for graciously hosting. I’m excited to see where the postcards travel to next!

Rose is a Rose is a Rose, Manchester at Paradise Works

 

Mark your calendars for Saturday, 16th November, when “Rose is a Rose is a Rose” opens its doors for a special one-day event, coinciding with the Manchester Contemporary and Paradise Works’ Open Studios in Salford.

From 3 PM to 9 PM, Belinda Worsley will showcase her captivating postcard project, accompanied by works from Steven Calver, Angela Tait, and Jeffrey Knopf in his studio space.

The works in the Rose Project draw inspiration from Gertrude Stein’s famous line, “A rose is a rose is a rose,” a simplified form of the phrase from her 1913 poem Sacred Emily. Often interpreted as a reflection of the law of identity (“A is A”), the quote suggests that things are simply what they are. Stein believed that naming something evokes the emotions and imagery associated with it, an idea central to broader philosophical debates on universals—where thinkers like Peter Abelard used the rose to explore how language conveys meaning.

With my own work focused on the challenges of communication and the complexities of language, I created a couple of postcards reflecting these themes in connection to Stein’s quote. Be sure to look out for my text-based contributions amid the beautiful array of roses on display!

AIR Gallery Preview at Rogue Studios

Enjoyed a fantastic evening at the AIR Open tonight! Now in its seventh year, this year’s exhibition is the largest yet, showcasing 58 works by contemporary artists from around the world. The collection spans diverse media including video art, drawing, sculpture, textiles, and mixed media. Additionally, a digital showcase featuring the longlisted artists is available on the AIR Open website.

The exhibition runs from August 16 to September 21, and visitors are invited to cast their votes for their favorite pieces. This year’s lineup features talented artists such as:

Aimee Spilsted, Alex Aiton, Amelia Frances Wood, ANDI, Archie Leigh-Jones, Becky Moon, Bethan Hamilton, Bill Psarras, Chris Lewtas, Ciarrai MacCormac, Craig Fisher, Daniel H Bell, Enxi Liu, Gareth Cairns, Hang Zhang, Helen Davies, Jay Ottewell, Julie Cassels, Justine Lesage, Kate Street, Katy Mason, Kelan Andrews, Laura Nathan, Lucy Ridges, Lucy Waters, Lois Hopwood, Luke Skiffington, Lula Braimbridge, Marc Renshaw, Marie Jones, Nicola Bolton, Nigel Grimmer, Nisaa Saeed Raja, Rachel Ackroyd, Ramon Omolają Adeyemi, Ruby Tingle, Sam Owen Hull, Sara Hindhaugh, Simon Leahy-Clark, Steve Sutton, Tom Motley, and Vincent James.

Definitely a must-see in Manchester for the summer!

 

AIR Open 2024 Announcement

Thrilled to hear I have made the final selection of 60 artworks for the AIR Open 2024. A big thank you to the judging panel (Alan Baker, Jude Wainwright, David Gledhill and Mike Chavez-Dawson) for selecting my piece ‘Salty’ from over 1,300 pieces of work. Feeling humbled and truly honoured!

The exhibition launch will take place on Thursday 15th August at Rogue Artist Studios from 6-9pm with all welcome to attend. If you’re free then I hope to see you there!

Other artists in the line-up include:

Aimee Spilsted, Alex Aiton, Amelia Frances Wood, ANDI, Archie Leigh-Jones, Becky Moon, Bethan Hamilton, Bill Psarras, Chris Lewtas, Ciarraí MacCormac, Craig fisher, Daniel H Bell, Enxi Liu, Gareth Cairns, Hang Zhang, Helen Davies, Jay Ottewell, Julie Cassels, Justine Lesage, Kate Street, Katy Mason, Kelan Andrews, Laura Nathan, Lucy Ridges, Lucy Waters, Lois Hopwood, Luke Skiffington, Lula Braimbridge, Marc Remshaw, Marie Jones, Nicola Bolton, Nigel Grimmer, Nisaa Saeed Raja, Rachel Ackroyd, Ramon Omolaja Adeyemi, Ruby Tingle, Sam Owen Hull, Sara Hindhaugh, Simon Leahy-Clark, Steve Sutton, Tom Motley and Vincent James.

Huge congratulations to you all! I can’t wait to see your work at the show.