Monday 10 February 2014

'New Beginnings' (8 February - 1 March 2014) | An overview

Our first show of 2014 'New Beginnings' is now open with a fresh and energetic line-up of upcoming artists, all of whom are recent graduates from one of the UK's leading arts institutions, Falmouth University.

Paintings, prints and drawings by Ruth Naylor, Sam Houston and Olivia Jones with ceramics by Rebekah Lockley on display as part of the 'New Beginnings' show

The ‘New Beginnings’ show, hosted at the gallery at the start of each year to showcase new artists, has proven to be an exhibition highlight in our programme of shows over the last seven years. Success stories include Mirjana Smith, also a recent graduate of Falmouth University, who's quirky, mixed media, assembled teapots were first shown through our 2011 ‘New Beginnings’ show. Since then, Mirjana has gone on to be one of our permanently represented artists with inclusion in high profile shows such as her supporting collection in the exhibition ‘Sir Peter Blake: Signed Prints’ in August 2013, alongside the “Godfather of Pop Art” himself.


'Double Carn Brea Ring', Emily Goodaker

This year’s noteable names include Contemporary Crafts graduate Emily Goodaker, who has recently won a scholarship towards a highly respected postgraduate masters in Goldsmithing, Silversmithing, Metalwork and Jewellery at the Royal College of Art. Her collection of contemporary jewellery takes inspiration from a significant artefact at the Royal Cornwall Museum, a gold slater coin, found at Carn Brea, Cornwall, during 1749. After working with conservators to take a cast of the original gold coin, the form is cast and fragmented in silver to create intricate pieces that explore the narrative to the coins discovery and its Cornish history.

        'Milk for Life', Rebekah Lockley        

Also a graduate from the Contemporary Crafts course is ceramicist Rebekah Lockley whose illustrated, hand built red earthenware vessels appropriate elements of Traditional English slipware to chronicle the changes within the modern English countryside - in this collection's case, the UK's dairy industry. Using the sgraffitto technique, Rebekah's skillfully hand etched imagery and text react to falling milk prices, anxieties in the supply chain and the impacts of poor weather on farmers in a style veiled with dark humour.

'Vessel III', Olivia Jones

Sam Houston, Olivia Jones, Charlotte Keates and Ruth Naylor champion a variety of unique, stylised drawings and paintings within the show; exploring mark, technique and tone. All graduates from 2013 in BA (Hons) Fine Art from Falmouth University, each artist demonstrates a confident and personal style of working that has already led to a combined exhibition history that stretches across the UK; including the currently touring Jerwood Drawing Prize exhibition which features Olivia Jones' shortlisted 'Vessel I' (2013). Olivia, a draughtswoman and sculptor, was one of 76 shortlisted for the prestigious prize, selected by judges out of over 3,000 submissions. Her 'New Beginnings' collection includes 'Vessel III' (2013), from the same series as the shortlisted drawing, as well as three exquisite, small pieces created just for the show of St Ives.

Inspiration from the Cornish coast is also very evident in the works of printmakers Izzy Adams and Mimi Robson who display the traditional crafts of etching, aquatint and woodblock printing: 


          'Open Ocean II', Izzy Adams         

Izzy Adams' monoprints on delicate Japanese paper reference dense sea mist, pale grey-blue swirling sea and heavy white cloud, in wide, borderless works and contained shapes that explore both the endlessness of open sea and the enclosed pen of a harbour. 

            'In Crescendo', Mimi Robson           

While Mimi Robson's combination of monotypes and copper etchings have emerged from her relationship with the ocean as a surfer: capturing curling waves and salty spray, the luminous sea against the slate grey cliffs and the gentle rhythm of the ocean felt when sitting in the line-up, waiting for the next rolling set. 

All eight Falmouth University gradates within the show have been handpicked by the gallery for showing great promise at this early stage in the careers and the exhibition marks an exciting opportunity for both artist and viewer to view the beginnings of young, bright artistic careers.

New Beginings’ will be on view until 1st March 2014 and all of the works within the show can also be viewed on our website.

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