- Venue
- Arena Studios & Gallery
- Location
- Wales
Slowly through Eden
It was a wet windy day when I set out on my quest to review the works of the recently graduated four artists from LJMU 2009. I have seen their work before and knew the artist by first name, but I was still curious to see if their work had changed or not.
The Arena Gallery is quite small and to get into The atmosphere was friendly and warm and is bright cheerful and gives a nice ambience for the new artists. I received a warm welcome from Christine and Erica making the atmosphere even more friendly and relaxed. This made it easier for me to view the works and also ask questions about the artists work on show.
My first impression of the work on show was when the lift doors opened and your eyes feasted on a large painting taking hold of you blocking everything else from your mind. You know you have to stop to explore this painting but it became impossible as the friendly artists chatter in your ear but you find you’re not listening as you are desperate to view the paintings.
Yawn and Lick Your Fingers
The painting is an abstract of strong warm colours, which wrap themselves around you while the powerful emotional brush strokes evoke into your imagination and explode thoughts into your mind. The artist of this work is Mark Owen who is currently studying towards his master’s degree after gaining a first in Fine Art at LJMU. Mark also had two more paintings on show but for me this was the most outstanding. All his works were done in acrylic paint on canvas. I do believe Mark one day will become what he wants, which is to be an recognized artist which I believe he will be. Mark will be an artist to look out for in the future.
Restricted Access
Erica Hamilton was the next artist’s work I was to review. Erica’s work is a mixture of different material done quite subtlety to compliment each other which works really well. Erica’s work has changed a lot whereas before her work was large, she now scales down using smaller space to express her thoughts and feelings. For me this piece of work truly expresses how the painter was under siege, but was done in quite subtle way. The work represents a prison, using white as the dominant colour which she painted over the metal bars. Inside this was a small painted canvas done in dark blue colours screaming get out. I think this work is very different from the norm, the materials told the story very well. The colours used show the strengths of the white and the despair of the blues, a very powerful piece of work.
Only an Hour
Christine Lavin is a lot different from the rest as Christine uses the computer to portray her work spending many hours with photographic images and sketches that she has worked on. Christine’s work is the smallest in the show but nevertheless the work intrigues you and you have to get up closer to view her work. The colours are wonderfully fascinating. I like Christine’s work, I love the way she uses colour, I also love the way she layers the different images and I feel they provoke thoughts and way and images into the views mind. Christine’s work has a beautiful, delicate, yet strong sense of colour which suggests a sense of mystery and intrigue.
Urban Landscape
Mo Peacock was not in attendance at the show so I was unable to talk to her about her work. Mo had created sculptures and a pen and ink drawing. It was the drawing that was to catch my eye. This drawing had a calming flow; the lines flowed beautifully giving a feeling of calm. There was no colour but Mo had caught the calm and sincerity of the countryside.
The artists had put together a wide variety of different work that worked well together evoking thought and emotion from the viewer. I found the all artists welcoming and friendly. Although the gallery was small the art works were a mixture of size. Mark’s were large and powerful paintings with dramatic brush strokes to Christine’s small colour delicate work and Erica’s strong white work finishing with Mo calming flow. A very successful combination that was both thought provoking and exciting experience. I would recommend this gallery as one of the top galleries in Liverpool to view, up coming new artists
