Brenda Hartill, "Emboss", 3rd - 26th October 2013

In the downstairs space of Curwen Gallery Brenda Hartill, an artist we have been showing for almost 30 years, is showing a range of new works using collagraph (a print made from a collage) as a starting point. 

Brenda Hartill, Golden Icon IV
collagraph, 85 x 64cm fr
 £330 unframed, £420 framed

To make these works printing plates are constructed using a variety of ordinary materials, from plant skeletons and natural fibres, to card, plastic, rope and found objects, often using plaster to combine them together.

These are firmly glued and sealed then inked and run through a heavy printing press to print in a very sculptural way. This method of working enables her to capture the forms and energy the natural materials, along with the sculptural strength from using plasters and variety of collaged materials.

Brenda Hartill (left) working in her studio with her printers Nicola and Dawn

The embossed watercolours are developed freely from embossing the paper first, then developing the painting while allowing the textures and patterns of the embossing to enrich the glowing transparency of the watercolour. 

Brenda Hartill, Flowers in the Wind I
embossed watercolour, 86 x 101 cm framed
 £3250

Her new monoprints, are inked in rather subtle colours, then combined with placing various materials on top of the plate before printing to create areas of subtle blind embossing. She has also produced a series of black and white works, which contrast the strong black abstract imagery with embossed white on white textures, which come alive with directional lighting.

Brenda Hartill, Black on White II
Collage, 90 x 85cm framed
 £2800

Brenda Hartill will be talking about her work at Curwen Gallery on Tuesday 15th October from 7pm. To see more of her work online click here.

Albany Wiseman "Garden Squares of London" with Robin Ollington

Albany Wiseman (left) and Robin Ollington (right)
discussing the success of "Garden Squares of London"

Last night Albany Wiseman and Robin Ollington met up at Curwen Gallery  to discuss the success of last month's exhibition "Garden Squares of London". The exhibition, originally the brainchild of Robin Ollington, was a study of many beautiful garden squares of London by the celebrated watercolourist, Albany Wiseman.

Albany Wiseman, Manchester Square, £875, SOLD

Over the course of the year Albany visited 23 squares with his fold up easel, painting from life in watercolour.Albany was exceptionally dilligent, working in rain, shine and snow, to produce a wonderful exhibition which documents many of the hidden residential areas of London.

 Yesterday, when I met them both for a photo shoot for Garden Square News magazine, both were full of life and discussing their next project together, an exhibition of the watercolour illustrations from their book "Tommy Atkins Goes to War".
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Rachel Clark "Transitions"

This month Curwen Gallery are very excited to be showing a solo show by a new artist to us. We originally came across Rachel Clark three years ago after she graduated from her MA in Printmaking at Camberwell College Arts. She was chosen to feature in Hot Off The Press, our annual exhibition of our favourite graduating MA printmakers from the London Schools. 

Thank You Wandsworth and Goodbye, etching, £495 (unframed)

Since then she has shown her printmaking with us in our group exhibitions as well as in numerous other exhibitions including The Clifford Chance Award and the National Portrait Gallery’s BP Portrait Awards. 

The Riddle of Tinmath, etching, £395 unframed

Her new exhibition features both painting and printmaking, both of which share a similar sensitivity to colour and abstract form. She says of her work “Abstract Painting is a way of connecting the inner and outer world”. More images from the show can be found online here

Quiddity, oil on canvas, £4500