Preview of 'Hidden Messages' 24th October 2017

Finally I have gathered together the photos of our preview at the Menier gallery. It was a great evening and a good time was had by all.

HIDDEN MESSAGES

This autumn Alfred Huckett and myself will be exhibiting together for the first time. Focussing on miscommunications, undisclosed secrets and a quiet monster, we have put together a powerful show of mixed media work including large scale canvases, installation, print and talisman, which though often dark are not without a sense of humour. 

I have spent most of my working life as a printmaker, selling  work to the corporate sector. Five years ago I decided to shift direction embracing mixed media processes to create work based on highly personal experiences related to hearing loss and cancer, unfortunately part of my life. I try to confront misfortunes head-on, using my art to challenge situations with a mixture of displeasure, indignation and a large dose of grim humour. 

Alfred Huckett is primarily known as an artist concerned with the portrayal of music, having been artist in residence at the York Early Music Festival on three 

occasions. He is now looking back to his early training in theatre design at Central St Martins with a collection of unshown work made in the 90s, together with recent large scale canvases confronting and exploring his feelings and experiences as a transvestite. 

Ravens. Drawings I have been keeping to myself - perhaps they should be shown

I was given a raven by friends. It was found dead in their garden, so they kept it in the freezer for me. It was a beautiful bird which deserved the attention given to it in the day of drawing

Ravens. Indian ink, graphite and white paint

Ravens. Graphite pencil

The Talisman

I have started working with resin and jewellery techniques which have developed into ‘The Talisman’. The subject matter can be rather confronting in that it is addressing a conversation with with Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer).The pieces can be dark, and often have a grim humour embedded in them. They are shown as necklaces or brooches, a decorative light hearted presentation, which makes them just that little bit more uncomfortable. 

The Trap