For an application form, click here and look under current opportunities. As part of the end of our 2017 calendar, Artizan Gallery is excited to offer two free month-long exhibition spaces to run alongside our October and November solo shows. The exhibition space will be available to any artist, group or society who submits a proposal to us demonstrating that their show deserves to be exposed to a wider audience. Whether you’re an emerging artist without the funds to exhibit, a society looking to gain exposure for your members, or if your work engages with an important social theme, you could be considered to receive this opportunity. The opportunity offers exhibition space in our Garden Gallery which benefits from 14m of wall space on our professional hanging system. With two large window displays and exiting onto our café courtyard this is a beautiful exhibition space and is normally hired out at £500 for a month-long period. The Dates The two exhibition blocks will run as follows: October // 2nd October to 28th October with an installation date of 1st October and an artist preview on 6th October. It will run alongside a solo show by artist Mark Wallis in the main gallery space. The deadline for entry is Midnight September 1st November // 30th October to 25th November with an installation date of 29th October and an artist preview on 3rd November. It will run alongside a solo show by artist Susan Cavaliere in the main gallery space. The deadline for entry is Midnight October 8th The Details All entries require a £10 submission fee and are not confirmed until we receive this fee. If your exhibition is largely 3D work, or requires complex installation, we request you visit the space to ensure its suitability before making a submission. Artists must be available to assist with installation on the hang date and must attend the Artist Preview. Artists must agree to our standard terms and conditions for exhibition at Artizan Gallery. Artists must complete the below entry form in full. For an application form, click here and look under current opportunities. #call #opportunity #artizan #bursary

When reflecting on Torbay’s cultural heritage, perhaps the most immediate association with the locality is renowned novelist, Agatha Christie. Others may argue the image of Basil Fawlty is the one that first springs to mind, but for us – and we hope we are not alone in this – there is no contention for the curator of crime’s position as the Bay’s figurehead. This recognition is not simply a self-appointed status by local residence; the association between locale and author is a worldwide phenomenon as evidenced by its status as host for the International Agatha Christie Festival. The IACF is a biennial event which draws hundreds of delegates to the English Riviera to celebrate the literary legacy and life of Dame Agatha Christie through performance, exhibition, workshops and discussion, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the authors works in the surroundings where she penned many of her tales. The week-long event is the focal point for the Christie enthusiast and has over the years achieved an impressive and deserved following by securing renowned biographers, art collections and curios as part of the programme. 2017 marked an exciting change for the festival as it transitioned from a standalone event to a full-time programme with the remit of, “[w]orking with artists, writers and the extraordinary people and histories of Torbay and South Devon[...]promoting new stories and connecting to the voices of artists across the world. Inspired from the ingenuity and curiosities of Dame Agatha Christie Mallowan, it celebrates creativity and works to nurture and support artistic innovation, well-being and enjoyment across all ages.” This new scope looked set to promise an exciting modernisation of the festival, which would utilise the Christie legacy as an impulse to develop a diverse literature and arts event, and under the directorship of James Tyson and Nathalie Palin, it did not disappoint. Beyond a couple of excursions along the coastline, Torre Abbey Historic House and Gardens played host to the festival, drawing back from the previously sprawling model that had come to span most of Torbay to create a far more intimate and manageable feel. As well as the various scheduled events, a wide range of installations and exhibitions were presented amongst the Abbey’s permanent displays for delegates to enjoy at their leisure and which were also accessible to guests at the house. Overall, it felt much more cohesive, and fully exploring the diversity of offerings was achievable with agreeable ease. For the traditionalists, this year’s festival had it all; John Risdon’s exclusive bus tours of notable Christie sites, John Curran’s ever popular mystery Christie film screening, a durational reading from Valmai Jones and John Rowley, to name but a few of the events. This, however, barely scratches the surface of what the 2017 IACF programme offered. The directors had taken a little known archaeological memoir of Christie’s as a starting point for the festival’s theme: “Come, Tell Me How You Live”, recounts the authors time with husband Max Mallowan as they explored a number of archaeological dig sites in present day Syria and Iraq. The text offers an alluring journey through ancient Babylonian cities, offering insight into, what were at the time, little known cultures and societies. The mystery of unknown cultures, unknown societies and unknown lives, and the invitation to share; this is what IACF 2017 provided a platform for, welcoming speakers to tell their stories, to tell their lives. From Lois Pryce’s “Revolutionary Ride”, a solo motorcycle journey across Iran, to Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi’s “Poetry on the Nile”, a celebration of the richness of Arabic poetry, every talk, workshop and performance offered captivating insight into worlds which would be otherwise inaccessible. For our part, we were privileged to be invited to curate an exhibition of contemporary works to be exhibited in one of Torre Abbey’s galleries. The call received an exemplary standard of submissions and the final show drew together an engaging spectrum of work from local and national artists, each piece offering a unique interpretation of the Christie legacy. For us, this year’s festival was the strongest we’ve seen in a while. Torre Abbey offered a grand but welcoming vessel, it’s meandering rooms and corridors promoting mystery and intrigue, it’s historic character conjuring the Christie era, it’s lush gardens offering luxury befitting the occasion. The programme was diverse whilst maintaining all the traditional elements expected of it, as the festival begins to grow its scope. If there’s one thing we’d love to see built on in 2019 it would be the weekend Garden Party which has the potential to become a festival highlight. Most importantly though, there was a new message to be taken away from the festival, one which we feel is particularly significant to its more local visitors, this being that whilst we are undoubtedly proud of our Christie heritage, we should be equally enquiring about what her legacy has inspired us to create. The Artizan Open Exhibtion for the Festival will continue to run at Torre Abbey until November 19th and features work by: Martin Dutton, Des Maxwell Clark, Sandra Lissenden, Theresa Barlow, Jane Villaweaver, Kerry Lloyd, Elaine Sibley, Rhian Wyn Harrison, Sarah Gillett, Kristy Campbell #2017 #Events #exhibition #IACF2017 #IACF #Torbay #heritage

We were delighted to hear that local artist Becky Nuttall would be participating in the annual Devon Open Studios trail this year, welcoming people to her home, where she creates her highly individual and unique pieces of art. So, on Saturday afternoon we hot footed it over to Brixham knowing that we were in for a real treat. Becky, with help from husband Roger, has created an “open space” Open Studio at the top of their beautifully landscaped garden. Displayed within, are her works, all collected in their appropriate series and displayed on floating panels. It feels quite perfect, bright, airy and open, and Becky’s creativity shining through in the details. A rich red panel hangs on the back wall under a carved ornamental cornice, with three traditionally framed works displayed. Becky is not shy about the religious influence in her work and the space reflects this, set off against stacks of firewood which remind us that this chapel, like her work, is lived in. I had seen quite a few pieces before but to see them collectively was very special. Dotted around amongst the art are sketch books, reference books and notepads of poems, all of which have a place here. Included in the display was a piece recently submitted for the RA Summer show and whilst not selected, Becky did make it through to the second round and has the sticker to prove it! I asked Becky to tell me more about this piece. “The piece is called ‘Bedroom Shrine to Virgin of the Rocks’. It is based on Leonardo de Vinci’s ‘Madonna of the Rocks’. I went to a catholic school despite being a protestant, but my background is artistic and literary. In this piece, I am imagining my bedroom wall with these two influences; religious iconography and being an emerging child artist, doodling the things I loved including parrots and koala bears. Also, the things that troubled me, religious dogma and searching for an identity. I have included a painting by my father and added a feminist touch of a golden helmet, including school work and poems I did in the 1960s.” With all of Becky’s work you find there is a fascinating narrative. She tells me, “I went to art school but got side-lined by a Literature degree. As part of my MA I studied the social development of adolescents which reconnected me to my own adolescence and its influences. The works that particularly capture this include 'Death, the maiden and good housekeeping' 'Little heartbreakers' and 'One two four'.” The stories add to the pleasure taken from her work. Every piece is deeply personal, capturing minute details of personality and memory often with physical representation from childhood journals and notebooks. The resulting collage of imagery is at times slightly surreal, the scenes often dreamlike, but take them for the personal reflections that they are and the works become entirely human. And whilst the allusions may still be indecipherable, when you treat the works like this you can feel the life in them. It is this that makes Becky’s work so attractive to me. Even those pieces whose subject matter I might not normally favour, have this indefinable breath within them that draws one in. Becky’s studio will be open on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th 11 am – 6 pm and perhaps offers the opportunity to experience her work in its purest form. #Magazine #Events #Artists #Torbay #DevonOpenStudio

Martin Bush - Jewel Temple Series, displayed September 2017 as part of the Artizan Gallery solo series. #2017 #exhibition #Album

We received lots of invitations to Devon Open Studio this year but when you’re running a busy gallery it can be hard to get away. However, we did manage a couple of trips out and with list in hand headed off to visit as many as we could. Devon Open Studios is an annual event hosted by Devon Artist Network, in which artists across South Devon open their studios to the general public for a number of days across a period of two weeks. This year, the event welcomed over 200 artists for visitors and residents to plan their own tours around. In the end we didn’t manage to get around to all that we would have liked, time was simply against us, but we did get to visit Becky Nuttall, Charlie O’ Sullivan, Martin Dutton, The Tin Shed Studio - featuring work from Joanie Johns, Mei Lim, Sarah Morris and Sue Williamson - Alan Gregory, Sue Evans, Heather Jansch, Kate Lyons-Miller, and Rosemary Ensor. Our choices were in part based on geography and permitted time but we were also able to go and see work across a wide range of disciplines and styles, taking in paint media, photography, jewellery, printmaking, ceramics and sculpture, such is the talent that we have here on our doorstep! It is a rare treat to be invited into to an artist’s studio and witness the space they have dedicated to their creativity. To hear about their process, their inspirations, and see the physical representations of these is a real privilege, and by the end of the day we were completely overwhelmed by all that we had seen, the lovely conversations that we’d had with these dedicated artists who spend their time creating for themselves and for audiences to enjoy and marvel at. ​ Below you’ll find a little bit about each of the studios we visited and the artists who call them home! Charlie O'Sullivan SWAc We had not heard of or seen Charlie’s work before but managed to combine a brief trip away with a visit to her studio based in Churstow near Kingsbridge. Her studio is vast and on display were some earlier works alongside a more recent series which are brighter and somehow appear more optimisitc. That said there was a darker edgier side to the earlier pieces which we also liked. Over the years Charlie has developed a unique individual style and exhibits widely in the UK and abroad, the priority of her earlier work was the notion of the sea and the Scottish identity; - now she has focused on the subject of mapping these same memories onto landscapes, included with relevant figures from her own past and those of others. Martin Dutton SWAc Martin’s studio is situated alongside his home in Maidencombe just outside Torquay. His work ranges from realism to richly textured abstracts inspired by Devon, Venice, France and Spain, places he visits regularly. A previous exhibitor at Artizan, we know Martin’s work well but a visit to his studio never disappoints. Our particular favourites are those based on trips to Venice, semi-abstract pieces that provide a hint of the subject but allow your imagination to reach it’s own interpretation and response to the piece as a whole. The Tin Shed Studio Mei Lim completed her studio a few years ago and it sits in the garden of her home on the River Teign in Shaldon. A bright airy purpose built space that ticks all the boxes, and which for Devon Open Studios she shared with fellow artists, Joanie Johns, Sue Williamson and Sarah Morris. Between them they displayed ceramics, printmaking, jewellery, photography and paintings. Mei is possibly best known for her photography but she has just been learning how to produce woodcuts and had some on display when we visited along with fellow print maker Sarah Morris. Sue Williamson produces work across a variety of subjects but is curently working on a series of abstracted architectural pieces that we absolutely loved. Alan Gregory Before leaving Shaldon we managed to squeeze in a couple of other studios, one of our August exhibitors Alan Gregory and another new artist to us Sue Evans. Alan’s work is inspired by the Devon and Cornwall landscape and coastline as well as by trips abroad, mainly topographical although he has recently started to explore more abstract works. His work really does conjure up the feel of the places that he paints, the rugedness of the Cornish Coast, the heat of Menorca and the changing colours of the landscape at different times of the day or year. Sue Evans Similarly Sue paints and draws landscapes and coastal scenes but their styles and end results are quite different with Sue’s work being more photgraphic in style, a complete contrast and a reminder that we all interpret what we see in different ways. Heather Jansch and Kate Lyons-Miller We then headed out to a studio that I had wanted to visit for some time, Heather jansch’s home and studio based at Olchard just outside of Newton Abbott. Her majestic life-sized wooden sculptures of horses greet you as you walk down the drive to her garden, where you come across yet more! We were fascinated to learn about the process of casting them with each piece taken apart again and cast seperately. Alongside her was ceramicist Kate Lyons-Miller who produces large clay highly textured pots made from terra cotta and black clay, simple in design but full of energy and beauty. Rosemary Ensor Our final trip before we ran out of time was to Rosemary Ensor‘s studio also in Olchard. This brought us back to bright colourful abstracts with themes loosley based around the landscape and natural forms. With some abstract work it is unashamedly bold and in your face but with Rosemary’s work there are more muted colours among the bright, and softer edges to much of them which creates a soothing and relaxed feel to them. #DevonOpenStudios #2017 #September #ArtizanTorquay #RosemaryEnsor #HeatherJansch #KateLyonsMiller #SueEvans #AlanGregory #MeiLim #TinShed #JoanieJohns #SueWilliamson #SarahMorris #CharlieOSullivan #MartinDutton

It’s Saturday 9th September, the weather outside is ambiguous if we’re being generous, ominous if we’re being completely honest, and I’m on my way to Torquay Museum to experience… well I don’t know what exactly I’m about to experience. This weekend is the opening weekend of arts festival “The Tale”, a long anticipated, much debated, cultural event which will, if the rumours are to be believed, be one of the defining moments in Torbay’s cultural rebirth. We’ve been firm supporters, and often critics, of this event since it first came to our attention at the end of 2016. It has been our privilege to play host to the organisers on numerous occasions and to help share the voice and ambition of the festival to local communities. And it has been an equal pleasure to, at times, offer reproval as part of this support. “A Journey of Discovery Across Torbay” – this is the limit to the information you have going into The Tale, beyond the names of a few locations and artists. From these clues, you might extrapolate that landscape is going to be important to the event; Berry Head is referenced, as are the beaches and harbours of the surrounding coastline. Heritage and history too; whilst not obviously listed we know the Paignton Picture House is a pivotal venue in the event. But for anyone who has been following the festivals development, you’ll know at its centre is the sea. Whether it’s seen in the marketing imagery, or experienced in the “Dawn Swims” the braver visitors can participate in, or heard in Philip Hoare’s own words, “and always the sea”, its presence is always known. Philip Hoare is the mind behind The Tale, the festival is a collaboration between his writings, boyhood experiences and Torbay. This is, perhaps, more his journey than our own as we ‘step into Philip Hoare’s shoes to see the bay through his eyes’. The journey starts at Torquay Museum. Tickets are exchanged for a guide book and several other tools which will lead us along the path. The process is theatrical but rushed; we are lead through curtained rooms and meet “the mind” and its contents with no chance to linger. Too soon, we are out of the museum and the journey has begun. For me some elements were more striking than others; the narrative across Torquay with, you eventually realise, those providing the narrative, appearing at points on that journey; brought with it an added dimension to places of familiarity and was at times poignant and stark. This was probably the part of the tale that most resonated with me, awakening my senses to what is around me, that we take for granted or simply do not see normally. Paignton Picture House too is full of atmosphere, sitting in the dark hearing a recording of people entering and taking their seats conjuring an image of a once busy place now neglected but with hope for its future. A sound installation in the quarry at Berry Head was a feat and the sounds unexpected, not what one might have imagined at all and in a setting, that is, in itself, spectacular! And this, for me, is what resonated through the whole experience. The points at which I felt most engaged with The Tale, were the points where it engaged most with the spaces that hosted it. This festival lives and breathes because of Torbay, because of its coastline, its historic buildings its dramatic scenes. In its simplest form, The Tale is a journey, but more importantly it is a vehicle for witnessing Torbay, allowing participants to be touched by the inspiring atmosphere of this place. Some of the elements of The Tale for me missed their mark but this isn’t a flaw in the experience. The festival is deliberately diverse and everyone’s version of it will be different. In many respects, I would have been disappointed if there were not parts of the day from which I walked away unimpressed, too perfect an experience would have felt bland. The Tale has certainly divided opinions in circles locally. For many, the mystery is too much, offering only ambiguity and evasion. For others, the scale is too broad; committing to a whole weekend too big of an ask, or the prospect of traversing the three towns in one-day undesirable. These concerns are not unreasonable and I would respond to them with this; The Tale is something you have to commit to, it is an event that asks you to take risks and to give a little of yourself. Undoubtedly though, it is worth taking the plunge for, and it rewards the faithful abundantly. We would advise anyone who can afford the time to get a “Wanderer” ticket to best absorb the performances and more importantly the spaces in between, and can safely say that if you love Torbay, it is not possible to be disappointed by this experience. #events #torbay #2017 #TheTale

What a lovely start to September we’ve had at the gallery! Last week we celebrated the launch of Martin Bush’s gorgeous exhibition “Jewel Temple” with two lovely events. The first, was our second instalment of Cocktails and Conversation, a new series of events we’re running with the support of the talented folk over at Pier Point to offer the first evening, arts and culture oriented networking event in Torbay. This month, we welcomed Tendai Chetse from the Real Ideas Organisation along with colleagues from the Torbay Youth Digital Agency, who told us more about the work RIO are doing locally as the South West bridge organisation for Arts Council England. We were excited not only to hear from Tendai but also the talented young people making up this new social enterprise, who are currently providing digital marketing support to a number of high profile businesses in the Bay, complete with their natural affinity for social media. Our guests were all immensely impressed by the competence of the young speakers and the work RIO is doing with them and we hope to work closely with both groups to bring you future updates about the work they are doing in Torbay. The following day, we welcomed Martin Bush to the gallery for the Artist Preview of his show, “Jewel Temple”. This is Martin’s first exhibition in Torbay normally based over in Plymouth on the Royal William Yard. After a lively evening of cocktail shakers and cork popping the previous night, the Preview felt calm and serene as we welcomed some new faces to the Gallery. The consensus was overwhelming, whether you’re a lover of abstract works or not, you cannot help but feel enlivened when walking into a room of Martin’s work. Gold leaf shimmers throughout the opulent colour palette in a series that unashamedly screams its influences in the orient, with Thai lettering and Buddhist symbolism present throughout. It was great to have Riviera Magazine along to the event and we’ve had some lovely coverage on the exhibition from them as well as BoostTorbay, Muddy Stilletos, Art Share Love and Devon Life. The exhibition runs until 23rd of September so please join us to enjoy this exceptional show. We’ve also kicked off the month with the judging for two opportunities at the Gallery. The first was for an exhibition taking place at Torre Abbey as part of the International Agatha Christie Festival Exhibition, 13th-17th September. James Tyson, Director of the festival joined us at the Gallery and we spent an enjoyable afternoon going through a very high calibre of submissions, eventually selecting what we hope will be an engaging exhibition for visitors to the festival. Then today, Richard James joined us to go through submissions for the Ageing Well Christmas Card Competition! We’ve judged several competitions with Ageing Well now to support their annual symposiums and festivals, and we always have a lot of fun. This time was no exception with some wonderfully creative responses to the theme of Christmas in Torbay featuring the iconic Torbay palms as well as our notorious winged friends. The winning designs will be available to purchase at this year’s Ageing Well Festival on Saturday 30th September. Over the weekend we had something a little different at the gallery too. You may have noticed if you passed our shop front between Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon that the blinds were down. This was because we hosted our first ever Hen Party Life Drawing Class! We’ve done Life Drawing before, but not like this, and it was a pleasure to welcome the ladies and the bride to be with flowing prosecco and civilised cultural entertainment before they continued on to celebrate that night! ;) The evening went superbly and this is certainly something we’ll happily offer in the future, so if there are any Maids of Honour out there looking to plan something a little different, give us a call! That’s all for us today. We hope to welcome you all to the gallery once more in September to enjoy a spectacular exhibition! #2017 #exhibition #torbay #events

To wrap up our 2017 calendar, Artizan Gallery is taking submissions for its annual Winter Open Exhibition. This annual show has been a staple of the Artizan calendar since our opening in 2014 and is a popular opportunity to exhibit at. This year we will be hanging the exhibition across both of gallery spaces and look forward to welcoming a large number of artists who have already confirmed submissions. After a very successful Summer Open we're really looking forward to our final exhibition of the year where we welcome artists from across Devon to help us fill our gallery with wonderful wall art, sculpture and prints for the Christmas season. This year, as well as inviting new submissions to the event, we'll also bring all of our 2017 exhibitors back under the Artizan roof one last time! Our open shows are an exciting opportunity for new artists to join us for the first time and for new exhibitors to test the waters in a friendly exhibition space. Equally, for long-serving artists and friends to the gallery, they're a great time to join us once again and share the space with local colleagues. Meanwhile for our visitors, these showcases offer an immense breadth of styles ensuring there really is a piece to suit every taste. The exhibition will run from 28th November to 23rd December with a limited space Cocktails Preview on December 1st and an open Artist Preview on December 2nd. We're now entering the last phase of submissions with a deadline of Midnight 20th October. If you would like to take part you can grab a submission from from our Calls page #2017 #call #exhibiting #opportunity #exhibition #open #WinterOpen

As we sat down to write our September culture update, we started to notice a common theme running through this month’s calendar. No, it’s not that they’re all events that we’re incredibly excited for (although that is certainly true also!) but the fact that they all revolve around journeying. So, this month, it’s time to satisfy – or perhaps arouse – that little bit of wanderlust that the Summer weather inevitably always brings. “Come, Tell Me How You Live”, this is the summons of the 2017 International Agatha Christie Festival taking place 13th-17th September. Taken from the title of the little-known Syrian memoir which Christie fought to publish, the words echo a request the author claimed she was asked often after her travels in the Middle-East with archaeologist husband Max Mallowan. It is also a request she playfully asks him in a poem entitled with the same name that prologues the memoir. A question that Max too may have asked enquiringly of the artefacts of ancient cultures he unearthed on the dig sites. And now it is a question posed to festival attendees, as this year the event considers the many “possibilities of literature” to share and explore a rich diversity of “cultures and histories”. An extensive programme of talks, performances, workshops and exhibitions will disclose stories of a myriad of stirring journeys, in a long weekend which promises to be as enthralling as it is eye-opening. A travel experience far closer to home is promised by “The Tale”, a mysterious arts event offering a “Journey of Discovery Across Torbay” on the final three weekends of September. Situations, the curators of the festival, are keeping their cards close to their chest when questioned on its contents, though some details were revealed at a recent event held at the gallery. What we do know, is that the festival is based on a text on Torbay written by author Philip Hoare which appears in his new book RISINGTIDEFALLINGSTAR, and will feature works from acclaimed international creators including artist Marc Rees, performer Claire Cunningham, and natural history and documentary sound recordist Chris Watson. This will undoubtedly be a journey worth taking. Finally, Artizan will be transformed in its very own journey as we welcome artist Martin Bush to the gallery in September. Martin will be bringing his exhibition “Jewel Temple” to Torbay, featuring a series of work inspired by his travels around Asia and specifically Thai culture. “Thailand and its temples are very much within this series. The serenity and spiritual moments felt when visiting these spaces while painting has given me a new concept. My latest work is a celebration of these magnificent temples, reflected through use of gold leaf and a bright colour palette.” The exhibition opens on 1st September with an Artist Preview event between 18:00-20:00. We do hope you can join us! #CultureUpdate #BeachHut #ArtizanTorquay #MartinBush #JewelTemple #IACF #InternationalAgathaChristieFestival #TheTale #Journey #Travel

Our visit to RWA Bristol in August. #exhibition #2017 #bristol

As the season gets underway, Torbay’s cultural destinations launch their Summer shows and events for residents and visitors to go out and enjoy. With the weather surprisingly hot for a British Summer, heading to the beach, up to Dartmoor, or lazing around Cockington is probably the only thing on the agenda. But we know it can’t last and the weather will inevitably turn on your day off. So, this month, to save your holiday, we’ve got a “rainy day special” full of things to do indoors! Speakeasy strikes again, as Toorak welcomes 30s jazz-swing band Old Hat (30th Aug). Bringing bluesy improv up from London, this will be a great evening pick to get some chill after a day in the heat. Or if the swinging sixties is your thing, then head to the Palace Theatre to party with The Zoots at their hit-filled show, with numbers from Kinks, Beach Boys and The Monkees (25th Aug). A great schedule of theatre is also at your fingertips. The Little Theatre provides comedy with Dave Freeman’s farce, A Bedfull of Foreigners (7th-19th Aug). Brixham Theatre brings children’s classic Peter Pan to the stage with a modern take featuring new arrangements of the Disney score (11th-12th Aug). And finally, Princess Theatre will be “a-wop-bop-a-loo-bop, a-wop-bam-booming” with classic musical Grease (21st-26th Aug)! There’s nothing damp about the exhibition calendar either. Torre Abbey’s headline Summer Exhibition Face2Face takes over the house. We’ve already been along and it’s not to be missed, with a curation of YBA works from the Arts Council Collection “facing-off” against Torre Abbey’s original masters hidden around. Our own walls will be busy too, with a group show from Devon artists Alan Gregory, Claire Jenkinson and Chris Pitman. There is of course the chance we’ll be proven wrong, so in case, here’s some events to enjoy in the sun. Outdoor theatre is king in August, Comedy of Errors visits Torre Abbey (1st-4th Aug) or you can catch Pride and Prejudice over at Cockington (28th Aug). Also, keep an eye out for announcements about outdoor cinema at Torre Abbey happening sometime this month! #BeachHut #CultureUpdate #ArtizanTorquay #Exhibitions #August #August2017 #2017 #Toorak #Speakeasy #TorreAbbey #CockingtonCourt #TheLittleTheatre #BrixhamTheatre #ClareJenkinson #Face2Face #ChristPitman #AlanGregory #ArtsCouncil

“Through art we seek knowledge. We are the sentient universe investigating itself and looking for answers to the ‘big’ questions. Ultimately, the one truth that we can rely on is that we can only experience the present moment.” Charles Somerton lives and works in Exeter, having settled down after several years travelling abroad. His paintings have a rich, deep, tactile surface and an exuberant colour palette which Charles mixes solely from the three primary shades. The sense of harmony present in his works is strongly reminiscent of traditional mandalas, reflecting his observation of similar patterns appearing in ancient artworks around the world. Cosmography: Paintings and Drawings by Charles Somerton will be on display in Artizan’s Main Gallery in May 2017 as a part of our 2017 Solo Series. The exhibition will run from 1st – 20th May with a ‘Meet the Artist’ private viewing on 4th May. About the Work "I have always worked automatically, spontaneously creating marks and symbols in geometric formations. I have subsequently found the same patterns and codes in “primitive” art from around the world and throughout history. Seeing those objects having already independently produced similar works has helped me to understand the nature of our own unique consciousness as a channel for our creative capabilities. Through my enquiry I have come to believe that all creativity comes from the same source and it is through our consciousness that we have the ability to tap into it and receive inspiration. The world of form can only provide the means by which we make art, be that through materials or experience. Art is process. Creating a work of art is a mystic journey; the result is a sacred object symbolic of the activity. At the outset of a piece I have a basic vision of what I am trying to achieve, but the magic takes place as the layers build and the geometric structure complexifies. In a ritual process, rhythms, contrasts, accidents and actions collide in fluid motion; then like grains of sand coming to rest in the desert everything ends up in its right place. As with traditional mandala my paintings are essentially an abstract representation of the universe. Making art, like meditation, clears my mind and allows me to be. With my paintings I aim to draw people into a state of presence; to focus their attention." #CharlesSomerton #May #2017 #Artizan #Exhibition