Salisbury Oxfam Art Gallery, throughout August, 10am – 4pm Monday – Saturday

Which is more important, the art or the intention of the artist? Æther is an intriguing exhibition that explores this concept. The five emerging artists involved; Richard Eveleigh, Zoe Snelson Sarah Sanger, Emma Devonald and Martin Billingham aim to challenge established notions of contemporary art (The term Æther identifies with the ‘mismatch’ that can occur between the physical appearance of art and its conceptual meaning).

Art on display will include painting, photography and sculpture. Richard’s paintings are visually striking due to the vivid colours he employs. Some of his most recent work is highly varnished making it reflective, causing the viewer to become aware of their presence whilst viewing the art. Martin’s photography is created using chemical deterioration. His aim is to represent the organic nature of memory and the sensation of trying but failing to recapture a memory. As is standard for exhibitions at the gallery, 25% of proceeds from sales will be donated to Oxfam. A further 20% will also be donated to the ‘Stars Appeal’ in aide of Salisbury District Hospital. Entry to the exhibition is free.

“This will be the fourth time that I have exhibited at the Oxfam Gallery in Salisbury and I am very much looking forward to the upcoming show.”

It has been an honour to have have been associated with such a brilliant young man and Artist and we look forward to hosting many more of his Exhibitions in the future.

Joining Richard will be Emma Devonald, also originally from Salisbury, is a costume designer by trade and has worked on numerous stage and television productions including the BBC adaptation of ‘Cranford’ and the musical ‘Wicked’ at The Apollo Victoria Theatre in London.

Sarah Sanger, from Slough, will be graduating from the Arts University College at Bournemouth this summer. In 2010, Sarah took part in the Larmer Tree Festival by exhibiting a large sculpture/installation piece.

We are delighted to announce our July Oxhibition, featuring work by Ian Holland and Karl Whiteley, open Monday – Saturday 10am – 4pm, 8th – 30th July 2011.

Ian Holland is a local artist who is currently studying Illustration at the University of west England in Bristol. His experimentation’s with process and techniques in fine Art as well as examples of his first year illustration projects will be on show to the general public on the 8th of July at the Salisbury Oxfam gallery with 25% of all sales going to the charity. His semi-abstract works are concerned with texture and movement often using organic and natural forms, working
mainly in mixed media and incorporating oils and collage Ian Holland’s first show exhibits works that show the difference between illustration and fine Art.

Bristol based artist and illustrator Karl Whiteley is displaying a collection of his intricate artwork in Salisbury this coming month. His two main collections entitled ‘Movies of Considerable Notoriety’ and ‘Artists of Critical Acclaim’, are a series of humorous, thought provoking, black and white illustrations. Karl’s finely stippled and cross hatched ink images draw upon influences from artists such as M.C. Ecsher, graphic novel reportage journalist Joe Sacco and Guardian cartoonist Tom Gauld, to name but a few. Wordplay, humour and
attention to detail all contribute to his unique style. Alongside his two main collections Karl will also be exhibiting some of his sketchbook drawings and stencil art.

June 3rd to June 25 2011 – “Seasonal Colour” by Maureen Davies

Seasonal Colour is a vibrant collection of paintings aiming to represent the characteristics of the seasons predominantly through colour.

Maureen was winner of the S.A.A. Artist of the Year Competition in 2007. She has exhibited and won awards at both The Pastel Society and Society of Women Artists open exhibitions at the Mall Galleries. Earlier this year she became a member of the later.

Maureen holds a textile design degree from the Central School of Art, London.

For the first time, a group of students on the new Foundation Degree Applied Art Course at Wiltshire College Salisbury will be having their final show at the Oxfam Gallery in Catherine Street from Monday 23rd May running through to the 30th May.

The course, which is validated by Bath Spa University, has been running for two years and is an exciting new development for the College as it offers students an excellent opportunity to study contemporary visual art more locally within Salisbury, whilst at the same time offering opportunities the use of Bath Spa’s facilities and taking advantage of other links made by the University.

As part of the course, there is an emphasis upon making links with the art and design industry, achieved through visits to galleries, different arts organisations within the area and student-centred work placements.

The students, Jack Goodger, Sue Handley-Merrick, Mikayla Howard, Judith Kemsley and Sophia Sample, have studied on other specialised programmes prior to joining the Foundation Degree and their work will reflect responses to the varied characteristics associated with contemporary visual art today and will include painting, photography, work in traditional and non-traditional media and materials.

In addition to this, four members of the group are also participating in another exhibition at the Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum as part of a commission-based work placement project. This exhibition will involve a ‘trail’ through the Museum, leading the viewer towards the artwork and is just one example of many exciting opportunities which the course can offer a student.

22 April – 21 May 2010 “Perceived Space” by Angela Corben & Su Joy

Artists Angela Corben and Su Joy are both based in Fordingbridge, Hampshire. Having completed degrees at Winchester and Bath, they have both exhibited widely.

Angela’s landscapes are formed by her direct experience of moving through the landscape by bike and on foot. She captures the mood and atmosphere of landscape and weather. Her work is spontaneous and has a sense of excitement inspired directly by nature.

Su graduated in 2007. It was at Winchester Art College that her interest in photography was born. Her work is an exploration of the blurring of boundaries in space using photography and painting.

This is the first time the pair have exhibited together. Both through photographic and painted image the relationship between physical and non-physical boundaries is explored. The exhibition runs from April 22nd – May 21st.

Download and print off a poster here: Perceived Space.