cambridge contemporary art

‘In The Window’ - A Celebratory Collection of Ceramics by Helen Martino 8th – 31st July 2017

exhibitions, Demonstrations, ceramics, Meet the artistcambridge contemporary artComment

We are starting off our summer show with a very special exhibition of ceramics by Cambridge-based artist Helen Martino. Helen has exhibited with Cambridge Contemporary Art ever since it first opened in the 1990s. We feel honoured to have been able to work with her for so many years and see her work evolve. This July, Helen is also having her birthday, which is one of those that needs to be celebrated! To mark the occasion, Helen has created a brand new collection of work for our window display.

The idea for Helen’s new collection sprung from the act of looking back at significant moments of change within her ceramic practice, which now spans 50 years. Over the years, Helen’s making went through several stages of development, as she proceeded from creating functional thrown pots on the wheel to her present hand built ceramic sculptures. Helen began by considering these different stages of her working practice and decided to re-present them by playing with scale, materials and different methods of making.

 
Thinking - Then

Thinking - Then

Sometimes I Sit and Think - Now

Sometimes I Sit and Think - Now

 

Helen’s new pieces have also been strongly inspired by the way her ceramics have become objects in galleries and other people’s homes. Placed on windowsills or in glass cabinets, where they can be seen from two or even three sides, she finds that they take on a new identity and autonomy. It is as if they have become still lifes, or pictures in their different settings. Exploring the themes of windows and picture frames, this new collection, aptly titled ‘In the Window’, plays with the idea of how one sees three dimensional pieces – within or without the frame.

 
Dancing Bottles - Then

Dancing Bottles - Then

Dancing Bottle - Now

Dancing Bottle - Now

 

Helen has thoroughly enjoyed this chance to look back, review and renew. The result is absolutely not to be missed, so please visit us this month to see Helen’s stunning new pieces! We are open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm and Sunday and Bank Holidays from 11am to 5pm. Helen will also be doing a demonstration at cambridge contemporary art on Friday July 14th, 5:30-7pm.

 
 

Exhibition of photographs by Martin Bond - Preview Evening

cambridge contemporary artComment

After a busy week of setting up the new show, we had a pleasure in hosting a private view of photographs by Martin Bond and sculptures by Paul Harvey. Due to the exceptional public interest and our relatively small gallery capacity we had allocated a specific number of people for the preview. Thank you to all who subscribed on the TicketMaster event page!

Martin Bond chatting with our favourite framer Jonathan Miles

Martin Bond chatting with our favourite framer Jonathan Miles

Evenings like this make us proud of where we are based. It is so encouraging to see Cambridge with its wonderful people who appreciate art and support local businesses gathering together in our gallery! 

It's the second time we have shown Martin's photographs in the gallery. Back in 2015, Martin exhibited his 'A Cambridge Diary' project with us for the first time. It's very interesting for us to see how Martin's relationship with photography and our city has strengthened over the last two years. 

Needless to say - it's been an emotional evening for all of us.

 

The exhibition runs till 2nd July. We are looking forward to seeing you in the gallery!

 

Photos by Zuza Grubecka

Photographs by Martin Bond and sculptures by Paul Harvey

Photography, exhibitions, Meet the artistcambridge contemporary artComment

Photographs by Martin Bond

and sculptures by Paul Harvey

10th June - 2nd July

Next up at cambridge contemporary art is an exhibition of photographs by Martin Bond and sculptures by Paul Harvey. Following the success of Martin Bond’s photography show in 2015, we are thrilled that he will be exhibiting his work with us again in June.  

 
 

Martin Bond has lived in Cambridge all his life, and runs ‘A Cambridge Diary’, a project where he takes a photograph of Cambridge every day. The project has been running since 2010, and consists of over 2,500 photographs and counting. 

Martin’s photographs show Cambridge as a city of both the ordinary and the extraordinary, often juxtaposing mundane everyday subjects with the remarkable grandeur of Cambridge’s architecture. Frequently playing with light and reflection, Martin’s photographs capture the atmosphere of a moment unique to the place and time that they were taken.

Visit Martin Bond's page on our website for an overview of all photographs in the exhibition. Of each photograph, there are 10 editions available. They can be ordered framed or unframed. Please contact us to find out more.

Martin will be at the gallery on Saturday 10th June to meet visitors. Do pop in for a chat about his lovely work!


Paul Harvey

 

Exhibiting with Martin is sculptor Paul Harvey. Paul’s focus in on birds – from blackbirds, terns and kingfishers to the more exotic ones like guinea fowls and amazons. He has been sculpting since the age of ten, having been introduced to woodcarving by a primary school teacher.

He soon realised that wood is not appropriate for the features of the birds he had in mind and turned to working in bronze and marble. Taking inspiration from Art Deco, Paul simplified his designs and created a unique and bold sculpting style.


Future exhibitions at cambridge contemporary art:

If you would like to be the first to receive information about one of the artists in one of the exhibitions below, contact us and we’ll be in touch when the new work arrives.

5th July - 3rd September 2017:  Summer Show featuring work by Mani ParkesClaire Ireland, Ruth Oinn, Julie Simmonds, Laura Smith, Alice Westcott and more...

 9th September - 1st October 2017: Anita Klein and McNeill Glass

7th October - 29th October 2017: 'In the Forest' Exhibition with Flora McLachlan and Paul Smith

4th - 26th November 2017: Winter Show featuring work by Lindsay McDonagh, Alice Heaton and many more...

April 2018: Shazia Mahmood and Anthony Theakston

September 2018: Gail Brodholt and John Duffin

October 2018: Gael SellwoodMargaret Gardiner and Tiffany Scull


Thank you for all your support 

You’re helping artists to sustain their livelihood and supporting a local independent gallery.

The work you buy will be unique and original - you won’t find it elsewhere in Cambridge.

Everything is handmade by artists working in the UK.

Meet the artist - Moira Hazel

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Yesterday we had a pleasure to host a 'meet and greet' with the painter Moira Hazel. It was a perfect event to close our vibrant spring exhibition and stride into summer. 

We had a chance to ask Moira about her work, inspirations, motherhood and the art of letting go. 'Don't be precious about the work' was Moira's advice to all budding painters - 'paint, re-paint and paint again! If you are not happy with your work - burn it, there's nothing more cathartic than seeing old work bursting into flames.'

Thank you to all who tuned in to our live stream of the talk on Instagram!

Next up in cambridge contemporary art is a photographer Martin Bond and a sculptor Paul Harvey. The exhibition runs from 10th June till 2nd July. 

We are looking forward to seeing you in the gallery!

Photos by Zuza Grubecka

New paintings by Moira Hazel and Dan Bennett - ​​​​​​​6th - 4th June 2017

Painting, Glass, exhibitions, Meet the artistcambridge contemporary art3 Comments

New paintings by Moira Hazel and Dan Bennett 6th-4th June 2017

The new exhibition at cambridge contemporary artPhoto by Zuza Grubecka

The new exhibition at cambridge contemporary art

Photo by Zuza Grubecka

This May, we are adding a serious splash of colour to our gallery walls with an exhibition of colourful paintings and vibrant glass work by contemporary British artists.

Moira Hazel has a compulsive desire to paint, create, make marks and produce vivid and expressive work. She uses lively surface texture and intense colours. Moira loves to travel at home and abroad for inspiration. She especially enjoys the vibrant colours, light and brightness of the Mediterranean regions and she is fascinated by the fishing villages of the West Country.

On Saturday 4th June between 12pm and 2pm Moira Hazel will be in the gallery for a 'meet and greet' and to chat about her paintings. Please join the event here.

 

Moira HazelWinding roadacrylic on canvas61x61cm

Moira Hazel

Winding road

acrylic on canvas

61x61cm

Moira Hazel's work on display in the galleryPhoto by Zuza Grubecka

Moira Hazel's work on display in the gallery

Photo by Zuza Grubecka

Moira HazelRed and greenacrylic on canvas40x40cm

Moira Hazel

Red and green

acrylic on canvas

40x40cm

Dan Bennett's paintings are inspired by phosphenes, intricate swirling patterns that form before the inner eye, which have intrigued Dan since his childhood. By capturing these fleeting patterns in the form of plants and other organisms, Dan is expressing his belief in the oneness of life, and hinting at a glimpse of an underlying structure he thought he once saw out of the corner of his eye.

Dan BennettFicus 2 acrylic90x90cm

Dan Bennett

Ficus 2 

acrylic

90x90cm

Dan Bennett's work on display in the galleryPhoto by Zuza Grubecka

Dan Bennett's work on display in the gallery

Photo by Zuza Grubecka

Dan BennettRoche Aux Sabotsacrylic90x90cm

Dan Bennett

Roche Aux Sabots

acrylic

90x90cm

Alongside the paintings, we have filled the gallery with beautiful colourful glass work by McNeill GlassVerity Pulford, Catriona MacKenzieRuth Shelley and Scott Irvine.

Meet the artist - Ian Scott Massie

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ianscottmassie 9.04.170.jpg

Another Sunday, another event! Ian Scott Massie visited the gallery to talk about his 'Places of Pilgrimage' body of work. Ian's watercolours and prints from his carefully planned trip through the country depict places previously lived in or visited by fellow travellers, poets, writers and places of personal interest. 

Thank you for tuning in to our Instagram live-stream of the event! Find us @cca_gallery for more videos and photos of the gallery. 

'Places of Pilgrimage' exhibition is on display till 1st May. 

Photos Zuza Grubecka

Exhibition of prints and paintings by Ian Scott Massie

cambridge contemporary art1 Comment

Exhibition of prints and paintings by

Ian Scott Massie

8th April - 1st May 2017 at CCA

 

Next up at cambridge contemporary art is an exhibition of screenprints and watercolours by Ian Scott Massie. Ian has gone on a series of artistic pilgrimages, visiting over 75 places around Britain: sacred sites, locations where great events have happened, settings which inspired music and poetry and special places of all kinds to which people are drawn. The aim of his project was to capture the spirit of each place in his artwork.

On Sunday 9th AprilIan Scott Massie will be in the gallery from 12-2pm for a 'meet and greet' chatting about his paintings and prints. Pop into the gallery at 6 Trinity Street anytime between 12-2pm, the event is free! See our facebook event for more information.

Future exhibitions at cambridge contemporary art:

If you would like to be the first to receive information about one of the artists in one of the exhibitions below, contact us and we’ll be in touch when the new work arrives.

6th May - 29th May 2017: Moira HazelDan BennettCatriona MackenzieVerity PullfordMcNeill GlassScott Irvine and Ruth Shelley

10th June - 2nd July 2017: Martin Bond and Paul Harvey

1st July - 3rd September 2017:  Summer Show featuring work by Mani ParkesClaire Ireland, Ruth Oinn, Julie SimmondsLaura Smith, Alice Westcott and more...

 9th September - 1st October 2017: Anita Klein and McNeill Glass

7th October - 29th October 2017: 'In the Forest' Exhibition with Flora McLachlan and Paul Smith

 

'A Fine Line' - Closing Event

cambridge contemporary artComment

A Fine Line exhibition has come to an end. It was a pleasure to work in cooperation with Katharina Klug and curate a show with emphasis on the contemporary ceramics. To mark the end of the exhibition, we hosted the last 'meet and greet' this past Sunday. Jane Cairns, Rhian Malin, Tracey Ashman and Sue Jones were in the gallery to chat about their work and meet their Cambridge fans. 

Later in the day Rhian Malin gave a demonstration of her working practice. We finally found out how she hand-paints her beautiful withe and navy pieces. It was such a treat to have her in the gallery!

Thank you for the continuous support of our independent art gallery. We look forward to continuing to provide you with the most exciting exhibitions throughout the year and we hope that you join us for the next events!

We would like to kindly invite you to the exhibition of prints and paintings by Ian Scott Massie

Please join the event here

Photos by Zuza Grubecka.

Mother's Day

cambridge contemporary artComment

Mother's Day

 

With mother’s day just around the corner, have you considered doing your gift shopping in our gallery?

We have a beautiful selection of pieces all handmade in the UK. This year, spoil your mother with something truly unique and unforgettable, whether it is a print she can cherish or ceramics she will use every day.

Below are some of our suggestions, or pop into our Trinity Street shop to see our full range.

Feel free to have a browse of our website to get a better idea of what we have to offer, simply click on these links to refine your search: CeramicsGlassPaintingsPrintsSculpture and Wood.

You can also order items by phoning us on 01223 324222.

 

Ceramics

 

Chris KeenanCloud Bud Pot£60ceramic   

Chris Keenan

Cloud Bud Pot

£60

ceramic

 

 

 

Hilke McIntyreApple Cake Tile£185ceramic 

Hilke McIntyre

Apple Cake Tile

£185

ceramic

 

Prints

                         

Anita KleinBefore Sleeplinocut£47530cm x 40cm  

Anita Klein

Before Sleep

linocut

£475

30cm x 40cm

 

 

Angie Lewin

Dandelion Track II

wood engraving

16 x 12.5 cm

£185

 

 

 

Carry Akroyd

Heath

serigraph

£895

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mother's Day Cards

 

Greeting Cards

£2.50 each

 

Tamsin Arrowsmith BrownVessels£17-£60bone china

Tamsin Arrowsmith Brown

Vessels

£17-£60

bone china

Helen MartinoShy Dishy Lady £75ceramic     

Helen Martino

Shy Dishy Lady £75

ceramic

 

 

 

 

 

Anita KleinlinocutBettys Rattle ed11£680

Anita Klein

linocut

Bettys Rattle ed11

£680

Angie Lewin

Saltmarsh, Morston

screenprint

47.5 x 30 cm

£335

Carry Akroyd

Bounce

lithograph

40 x 30 cm

£220 framed, £110 unframed 

 

 

 

 

Greeting Cards

£2.50 each

Rhian MalinFrangipani Bottle£85ceramic 

Rhian Malin

Frangipani Bottle

£85

ceramic

 

Charlotte Jones

Shore Lines Bowls

Large: £495, Small: £60

ceramic

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anita Klein

Resting in a Tree

linocut

£680

 

 

 

 

Angie Lewin

The Twisted Stem

linocut

46 x 37 cm

£295

 

 

Carry Akroyd

Wheatear

serigraph

30 x 30 cm

£280 framed, £210 unframed

 

If you're having difficulty choosing, our handmade gift vouchers are an excellent choice! 

 

Haven't found what you're looking for? We might have just the thing for you at our sister gallery, cambridge contemporary crafts on Bene't Street. Check out their gift ideas for mother's day, and don't forget to browse their online shop.

A Fine Line: The Printmakers

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Our current exhibition, A Fine Line, not only showcases an exceptional collection of contemporary ceramicists curated by Katherina Klug, but also features work by three outstanding print makers.

Tracey Ashman and Sue Jones will join us on the 2nd of April for our second meet and greet.

Sue Jones 

Paul Edwards 

Tracey Ashman 

Tracey Ashman

Tracey Ashman has been a printmaker for the past decade, developing a passion for the exacting and challenging processes involved in creating mono-prints, silkscreens and linocuts.

Her recent projects have been inspired by an abiding interest in textiles, a legacy from her mother who was a highly skilled dressmaker. Throughout her life, stitch has played an important role, particularly during periods of illness and recovery. She began to incorporate stitch into her printmaking in 2014, using the texture and form of stitch, both hand and machine, to create beautiful, unexpected marks.  A combination of machine stitched paper templates, machine stitched lace, dry point and chine colle evoke and explore memories from the artist’s life.

 ‘Anomaly, Series I’ is an exploration of a traumatic childhood memory: at the age of nine, Tracey underwent open-heart surgery in Papworth hospital. Her abiding memory of that period is the peaceful hours spent knitting with her mother whilst recovering. Photo stencils of hand-knitted wire and knitting needles were the starting point for developing and exploring imagery to visualize the healing aspect of stitch she experienced. This series of prints portrays the two-fold aspects of physical and emotional healing: a metaphor for growth and renewal, and a healing and mending of both mind and body.

New Anomaly X

silkscreen & linocut

Tracey Ashman

Tracey Ashman

Anomaly IV

silkscreen & linocut

Paul Edwards

Paul Edwards creates abstract screen prints that are dynamic, colourful, fluid and vibrant. Influenced by music, the micro world and the expansiveness of the universe, his work contains gesture marks with echoes of the contours of land and sea.

The prints are produced using paper and photo stencils, building up opaque and transparent bands of colour, sometimes scraping and washing the surface to reveal concealed layers. The crisp lines and edges, flowing curves and intense primary and complementary colours capture moments of larger worlds.

Oscillate III

silkscreen

Paul Edwards in his studio 

Flow VII

silkscreen

Sue Jones

Sue Jones is an artist, printmaker, tutor and consultant who is a founding organiser of the Cambridge Original Printmakers Biennale.

Her series Elements are photo lithographs, inspired by landscape and weather, and the constantly changing colour, atmosphere and seasons.  Everything is pared down to the basic elements and the simplest of marks.

Broken Threads are monotypes, evolving slowly over many months, layer by layer. Sue sees these works as diaries, working with and reacting to each piece like a painting. She particularly enjoys the never-ending pallet of mark making that monotype provides, and how these react with one another, sometimes with enormous contrast, sometimes with subtle sympathy. 

Broken Threads XI(ed1/1)

Monotype

Sue Jones in her studio

Broken Threads VIII (ed1/1)

Monotype

Paul Edwards, Tracey Ashman and Sue Jones at the opening  of 'A Fine Line'. 

 

A Fine Line will be on display from 11th March to 2nd April 2017 at Cambridge Contemporary Art.

Tracey Ashman and Sue Jones will join us on the 2nd of April for our second meet and greet.

 

Click here to find out more about various printmaking techniques. 

'A Fine Line' Opening - Day Two

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Jeremy Nichols 

Jeremy Nichols 

Today we had a pleasure of hosting two demonstrations of working with clay and porcelain by Jeremy Nichols and Katharina Klug. A small potter's wheel found it's place at the back of the gallery as well as other tools of the trade (including a credit card valued for it's sharp edges by Katharina). 

Having shown us around the gallery and explaining her curatorial choices, Katharina jumped behind the wheel to demonstrate how she approaches throwing. It was really interesting to find out about her background and inspirations behind the work. We really loved old photographs of Katharina's mother, who is also a potter. 

This was the first time we live-streamed events in the gallery on Instagram. We will definitely make it a standard practice since so many people tuned in today! The opening weekend of 'A Fine Line' was a definite success but this is just the beginning. Please see our event page for next weekend's schedule. 

Photographs by Zuza Grubecka

'A Fine Line' Opening - Day One

cambridge contemporary artComment

The first day of the exhibition is behind us, and what a day it was! With the ceramics in place and fresh flower arrangements by Willow and Wolf  we made our way for a glass of prosecco and a chat with the many artists who came for the meet and greet. 

Later in the day, Jin Eui Kim gave a talk about his practice. He described how he works with optical illusion and with a precise but minimal use of colour. Jin explained how he plays with the observer by applying gradations in colour to create depth where there is none and move or obscure the shape of each piece. 

We are continuing with the preview tomorrow. Jeremy Nichols will give a talk about his work at 2pm and Katharina Klug will be in the gallery doing a demonstration of her working practice on an actual potter's wheel at 3pm!

All events are free. See you all in the gallery!

Photographs by Zuza Grubecka

Meet the artist - Robert Greenhalf

cambridge contemporary artComment

Printmaker and a painter, Robert Greenhalf, gave a talk in the gallery this Saturday. The informal meeting was a great opportunity to find out how Robert creates his woodcuts and where he sources inspiration for his work. 

Our next exhibition 'A Fine Line' starts this Saturday 11th March. We would like to invite you to our opening weekend. You'll be able to meet the artists and see demonstrations of their working methods. For a full schedule please click here

We hope to see you there!

Photos by Zuza Grubecka

Own it!

cambridge contemporary art1 Comment

The main objective of Own Art is to make it affordable for everyone to buy original, high quality contemporary art and craft. The scheme has been running for over 12 years and we have been a part of it since 2007.

Own Art loans allow you to borrow from as little as £100 up to a maximum of £2,500 for the purchase of works of art by living artists.

It is a perfect solution if you are just starting investing in art or if you want to top-up your current art collection. What is better than buying a piece which you will treasure for years and supporting living artists at the same time? 

The recent changes to the scheme mean that if you qualify for the loan, you no longer have to put down a deposit. You can go straight home and enjoy your new purchase!

For more details about Own Art click here.

zuza_grubecka.jpg

 

 

An afternoon with Richard Spare

cambridge contemporary artComment

Last Sunday we had a pleasure of hosting an afternoon with the printmaker Richard Spare. The artist introduced the general rules of printmaking and explained the process of hand-painting his drypoints. We also had a time for an interesting Q&A session. Thank you to everyone who attended the event! 

We would also like to use this occasion to kindly invite you to our next event - an informal chat with Robert Greenhalf about his practice as a printmaker and a painter. The event will take place on Saturday 4th March between 12-2pm. Free entry. Everyone welcome!

Prints and paintings by Richards Spare and Robert Greenhalf are on display till 5th March. 

Photos by Zuza Grubecka

Meet the Artist - Richard Spare

exhibitions, Meet the artist, Printmakingcambridge contemporary art1 Comment

Richard Spare's wonderful prints are now on show at Cambridge Contemporary Art in an exhibition with printmaker Robert Greenhalf that runs until 5th March. His pared down images, depicting scenes of wildlife, coastal scenes and still life, are inspired by his studio garden, and time spent travelling in America and Japan.

To learn more about the way Richard works we asked him a few questions.

When did you first know you wanted to be an artist? 
I don’t remember as a child making a sudden decision to be an artist, but from an early age I was drawn to making and designing.  It was a natural progression to go to art college and work with other artists. 

What inspires you? 
Nature must be an inspiration to everyone!  The garden at my studio is a constant source of inspiration, as is travel - on arrival in a new part of the world, I am usually weighed down with copper plates! 

What are the qualities you enjoy about the medium you work in? 
I always draw directly onto the plate from my chosen subject.  I love working straight onto the copper, the act of drawing on the resistant copper dictates the way I draw, and the way the image turns out.  I am not transposing from another medium, so each print is an original interpretation, individually printed by hand, and hand painted.  Each print is thus slightly different. I enjoy the rich velvet blacks of the drypoint line against the pure pigment of the watercolour and find the vibrancy of the pigment against the strength of the black a beautiful combination. 
 
How long does the process take and what is involved? 
Each single print takes considerable time to produce.  Aside from the time taken drawing the image (which takes many hours and some strength!) - the plate must be re-inked and hand-wiped for each print made.  The plates are printed on my antique etching presses - the technique having changed very little since Rembrandt’s day. 
The press is turned by hand and the damp paper is peeled off the plate to reveal an image which is thus unique - no mass production here!  The print is then dried for eight hours under weights and is hand-coloured, the application of watercolour painting on the printed drypoint line and gives another dimension of uniqueness. Use of precise colour is extremely important; my wife Kay and I spend a lot of time proofing the colours, until the right balance is achieved. 
 
Do your floral titles come from a knowledge of plants/botany/horticulture
Unfortunately I don’t have green fingers myself, or know many Latin names, but I adore flowers and get a real buzz when something wonderful blooms in the studio garden! 
 
How do you arrive at your pared-down images? 
By a process of elimination, over the years I’ve tried to express the essence of what I see. I attempt to evoke the fragility of life and my respect for its existence. Each animal, bird or flower has its own character, often engagingly quirky or even humorous, I enjoy bringing these charictoristics out in my work. 

How did your time in America and Japan influence you? 
Whilst in New York I spent a great amount of time in the museums.  It was during one such visit to MOMA that I was struck by Matisse’s sublime simplicity of line and shape.  On return to London I went on to produce Blue Bird, which was, I suppose, the start of my current work. 
Since then I have traveled extensively in Japan which I was fortunate enough to visit annually for eleven years for a series of solo shows. After a five year break, I am excited to be going back this November for 25 shows right across Japan. I adore the rich culture and artistic traditions, the beauty of the landscape, and the people, all of which has an influence on my work.  
 
Which other artists do you admire? 
Rembrandt, Goya, Van Gogh, Picasso, David Hockney, Hokusai, Utamaro, Hiroshige and many, many more. 
 
What are your favourite museums and galleries? 
 MOMA, NY,  Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam,  Royal Academy, London, Ukiyo-E Ota Memorial Museum of Art, Tokyo. 
 
Can you describe a typical working day
I am not a morning person! I usually work at home in the morning, going through the diary, signing prints or discussing ideas or licensing requests with Kay. I arrive at my studio, which is a few miles away, in the late morning and open up the shutters at the back so I can see the garden while I work. I may be printing, or steelfacing my plates (an electroplating process which strengthens the drawn plate, so the image is maintained throughout the punishing pressures on the copper as the edition is printed on the antique etching presses). If I am travelling then of course I am out drawing! 
 
How do you see your work evolving in the future? 
My work will always be informed by travel and nature and I seek inspiration in these. My interpretations have evolved gradually over the years and I’m sure will continue to do so. The printmaking process is constantly surprising and inspiring in itself, and I like to use found textures and marks in some of my works. 
 
What are your general interests? 
My work and leisure cannot really be separated, - but my family, travel, film, meeting up with old friends come top of the list. 

Meet Richard Spare in the gallery on 19th February at 2pm. Richard will be at cambridge contemporary art (6 Trinity Street, Cambridge) to chat to visitors about his work.


 

 

Bloggers in the gallery!

cambridge contemporary artComment

Last night at the gallery we held a special event at cambridge contemporary art and cambridge contemporary crafts. We invited local bloggers to come and see our new exhibitions. The evening was a lot of fun with plenty of prosecco and delicious brownies from the Gourmet Brownie Company. It was lovely to meet, and chat with, so many friendly, talented people. We started off the evening with a talk by one of our most popular artists Martin Bond. He spoke about his work as a photographer and held a really interesting Q&A session.

We have been very busy recently in both galleries, with parcels arriving on a daily basis full of beautiful work for our Christmas exhibitions.  Last night was a fantastic opportunity to show off all the wonderful pieces our artists have been creating! Everything at the galleries is made by hand by an artist living in the UK – by buying work from the galleries you are supporting an artist making a living from their artwork, as well as an independent, locally owned business!

Special thanks to Katie for organising the event and Gourmet Brownie Company for supplying a delicious range of brownies to eat! The company make their brownies at their Ely kitchen with pure Belgian chocolate and free range eggs from local farmers.

At the event we launched an instagram competition, head over to instagram to get involved and you could win the voucher!

October Exhibition with Niki Bowers, Carry Akroyd and Simon Griffiths

exhibitions, Printmaking, Sculpture, Meet the artistcambridge contemporary artComment

 

Niki Bowers, Carry Akroyd and Simon Griffiths Exhibition

1st – 23rd October

Niki Bowers

Landmark

linocut

Simon Griffiths

Hare (close-up)

ceramic

Carry Akroyd

Hugin & Munin

serigraph

 

Be sure not to miss our Autumn exhibition this year, with beautiful nature-inspired work by printmakers Niki Bowers and Carry Akroyd and sculptor Simon Griffiths.

 

Based in Norfolk, Niki Bowers creates linocut prints inspired by the rural landscape and wildlife surrounding her. Niki makes her prints entirely by hand using linseed oil based inks. If you’ve visited our gallery before, you might have seen one of her popular starling prints gracing our walls.

Painter and printmaker Carry Akroyd has lived most of her life in rural East Northamptonshire. Nature is her favourite subject and her brightly coloured prints depict a wide range of fauna and flora. Carry enjoys experimenting with different media.

Simon Griffiths grew up in rural Durham and this is where he draws his inspiration as well as his great respect for the natural world. He spends a lot of time studying the North Pennine wildlife and countryside before they find their way into his hand built stoneware sculptures.

 

Simon Griffiths

Tawny Owl

ceramic on wood

Niki Bowers

High Summer

linocut

 

Carry Akroyd

Big Turns and Little Terns

serigraph

 

The exhibition runs from 1st until 23rd October. Come to the gallery on Saturday 1st October to celebrate the opening of our new exhibition and meet Carry Akroyd and Niki Bowers from 2 to 4 pm.

Carry Akroyd will be in the gallery again to meet visitors on 15th October from 2 to 4 pm and Niki Bowers will be back on 22nd October from 2 to 4 pm. Come along to the gallery and have a chat with these two wonderful print artists!

Carry Akroyd in her studio

Niki Bowers - Winter Starlings - linocut

Meet the artist - Mychael Barratt

Printmaking, Etching, Meet the artist, exhibitions, Paintingcambridge contemporary artComment

For our new exhibition at cambridge contemporary art, Mychael Barratt has filled the walls with his original prints and paintings,  showing an eclectic mix of themes representing all of his major artistic passions. His work is on show from 3rd -23rd September alongside ceramics by Vicky Lindo, Jane Hollidge and Gwen Vaughan. 

To learn more about the way Mychael works we have asked him a few questions.

How did you get started with your art career?
About 25 years ago, I was walking by the Thames when I popped in to the Royal Festival Hall to get out of the rain. There was a printmaking exhibition on in the foyer and I was so impressed that I started an etching course at Central St Martins the following week. I had been working as a painter before but that was when I started printmaking. 

How do you go about making a new piece?
For big pieces the idea is always the starting point. Once I have the inspiration I start on doing the research and usually don't do any drawing until I've virtually planned the whole thing out in my head. The paintings are much more spontaneous. 

What is your preferred medium/colour pallet to use?
I love both painting and printmaking. As I make them in two separate studios and approach them so differently I couldn't say which is a favourite medium. In printmaking, my heart is definitely in etching.

What inspired the range of work that we have in the gallery?
The work in the gallery was inspired by various things. The 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare has had a huge impact on my work, inspiring at least three pieces. A recent visit walking around Cambridge has obviously inspired a couple of the paintings.

Exit, Pursued by a Bear

A Map of Shakespeare's London

 

We are currently showing your dog works, how do you go about selecting the artist that you paying homage to?
The artists are all ones whose work I admire but the most crucial thing is that little eureka moment when I get an idea that makes me laugh. They are sincere homages made with a huge level of care but are also hopefully quite funny. 

Is it challenging emulating all the different styles of your dog works? What is the style that you are most pleased to have achieved?
Emulating the style of the different artists is always a challenge because it forces me to work in unfamiliar manners. The one I am most pleased with is probably the Turner. I am constantly learning by doing these and painting the Hockney's dogs was definitely the most fun and has probably had the biggest impact on how I paint. 

Turner's Dog

Hockney's Dogs

Which other artists do you admire?
I admire so many artists and have a large art library. In printmaking, Rembrandt, Goya, Hogarth, Chris Orr and Grayson Perry. In painting my heart is definitely with Chagall although I think the way I work is more like Hopper. The list would be endless. 

Could you describe a typical working day?
I divide a typical day up between research and practical work and a perfect day would see me doing some printmaking and some painting. I'm happiest when I have a huge stretch of drawing ahead of me.

How do you see your work evolving in the future?
In the future I plan to do at least a couple more huge maps and carry on with the other strands and themes of my work like the artist's dogs and cats. Really I want to just keep getting better! 

Meet Mychael Barratt in the gallery on Saturday 24 September, 1-3pm. Mychael will be at cambridge contemporary art (6 Trinity Street, Cambridge) showing visitors how he produces his work.

September exhibition at CCA

Printmaking, Painting, ceramics, exhibitionscambridge contemporary artComment

You and your friends are warmly invited to the exhibition preview on Saturday 3rd September from 11 am. You can meet Mychael Barratt at the gallery on Saturday 3rd September, 11-1pm and Saturday 24th September, 1-3pm.

 exhibition runs 3rd -23rd September 2016

Painter and printmaker Mychael Barratt creates works that are full of detail, humour and a great sense of storytelling. He draws inspiration from sources as diverse as fairy tales, historical figures and Shakespearean dramas to classic paintings and pop culture. Mychael has created a range of work that features famous artists and their pets, skillfully re-imagined in the original artist’s style, resulting in a humorous sense of déjá vu.

Mychael Barratt

Edward Hopper's Dog

etching

Mychael Barratt

Stray Cats and Lost Sonnets

etching

Mychael Barratt

Magritte's Dogs

oil on panel

Vicky Lindo Ceramics is the creative partnership of Vicky Lindo and William Brookes. Producing earthenware slip cast ceramics, they use coloured underglazes and slips to illustrate and decorate their tableware and animal figures. We are delighted to welcome them to our gallery.

Jane Hollidge's pots are all made by hand, using coiling and pinching methods. Some are then burnished for smoke firing.  Jane likes to keep the shapes simple and decorates her post with abstract designs in vibrant colours using velvet glazes.

Gwen Vaughan creates figurative sculptural pieces using the traditional technique of pinching. Gwen works with a rich black clay, and carves into the surface to create a texture inspired by the qualities of slate and stone. She uses washes of coloured slip to enhance textural detail.

Vicky Lindo

Bear Pot Black and Gold

ceramic

Gwen Vaughan

Whale

ceramic

Jane Hollidge

Bowl

ceramic