Featured Artist Dame Catherine's Art Exhibition

Long but lovely day demonstrating at Dame Catherine’s Art Exhibition. Great to meet so many new people and see some familiar faces. Three of my collages found new homes too!

Solo Exhibition - Let's Pretend

'Let's Pretend' exhibition. A collection of my magazine collages relating to role play, film & fantasy, inspired by climate change denial.

Banks Mill Studios 71 Bridge St, Derby DE1 3LB

4th-29th September Mon-Fri 10-3pm 

Advise calling ahead 01332 594170

If you'd like to arrange for me to meet you please email hello@kirstieadamson.co.uk as I'm not in every day.

This body of work is inspired by climate change denial, in the face of mounting evidence, there is still a large number of influential people who deny and ignore the issues surrounding our environment. I aim to inspire, not demand or lecture, others to live more cleanly and make whatever changes they are able, no matter how small, to help counteract the damage that is being done.

When I first decided to specialise in magazine collage over ten years ago it was with the intention of illustrating the possibilities of upcycling and I enjoy the challenge of seeing how far I can take my work within this medium.

Call for entries - Behind The Smile

My experience of living with endometriosis and adenomyosis inspired me to create an exhibition to raise awareness of invisible illness. Together with other artists I am curating an exhibition for March 2018 at Banks Mill Studios, Derby.

Behind the Smile
An invisible illness exhibition exploring living with issues such as chronic pain, depression & anxiety. Aiming to break taboos & raise awareness.

The deadline will be 31st December.

Any artistic interpretation of invisible illness will be considered including pieces from a loved ones perspective. If you're not sure if your project is relevant please email hello@kirstieadamson.co.uk to discuss.

There will be a voluntary contribution towards the cost of publicity and a private view event, this will be confirmed once I have an idea of numbers but no more that £20.

If you’re interested in getting involved please register your interest below

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Time & Tide EcoCreate Exhibition

The launch of the Time & Tide exhibition was a great success, so pleased with the turnout. I have loved helping to curate this exhibition with Charlotte Rhoades as part of my role at the EcoCreate network.

Running until 27th Jan 2017 Mon-Friday 10am-3pm at Banksmill Studios we recommend calling ahead 01332 594170 We also have the open day Sat 21st still to come, see our upcoming events on Facebook!

Although I'm excluded from the judging process I do like to produce a piece for these exhibitions, this is my 'Father Time'.

‘Time rules the world’, magazine collage depicting Father Time watching the tide rise and the sunset on parliament. The stars become dandelion clocks as they fall, they read ‘Tick Tock’. Made entirely of ripped and cut magazines, on recycled board using non-toxic adhesives.

Exhibition Dates August 2016

I am thrilled to have work in three exhibitions taking place in August this year.

Unity Exhibition Exchange Place, Sheffield, from 18th – 25th August

Magazine collage 'Oranjezon Forest, The Netherlands' will be part of the Unity Exhibition at Exchange Place, Sheffield, from 18th – 25th August. The exhibition will be open every day from 10 – 4.

Unity is a direct response to the EU referendum, which has seen a vote for Britain to leave the European Union. The immediate aftermath from this has seen a nation disordered, bewildered and divided.

We all hope the negotiations that take place over the coming two years will steady the uncertainties in the UK. However, in the short term we seek to look past our differences and turn to creative action – celebrating the virtues of unity, what unity means and what it can provide in times of uncertainty.

Oranjezon Forest, The Netherlands

Midlands Open 2016 Tarpey Gallery 20th August – September 18th

Midlands Open 2016 is Tarpey Gallery’s annual open submissions exhibition, this year taking place from 20th August – September 18th 2016. The Seventh Midlands Open aims to offer a visually stunning and diverse exhibition presenting a dynamic array of artworks from all Contemporary Fine Art disciplines. This year’s exhibition will feature the very best work selected from entries by artists living and working in the Midlands region.

 

Selected work will be on display in three exhibition spaces; Main gallery, secondary and upstairs gallery spaces. The opening will be held on August 20th, 2 – 5pm.

'For Kicks' magazine collage is included in the exhibition.

For Kicks

Dame Catherine 23rd Annual Summer Art Exhibition August Bank Holiday Weekend 2016

Now in its 23rd year, the Dame Catherine Arts Summer Exhibition brings the sleepy Derbyshire village of Ticknall alive as hundreds of buyers flock to view over 1000 pieces of original art from over 200 artists.

For artists, this is a unique opportunity to be involved in the biggest art show outside of London, and to exhibit alongside professional and celebrated local and national artists.

Located in the picturesque village of Ticknall, the Dame Catherine Arts Summer Exhibition takes place over August Bank Holiday weekend and offers buyers a unique opportunity to pick up an original piece of art! Affordable artwork combine with artist demonstrations, children’s workshops and the delights of the vintage tea rooms make this a very special event and an enjoyable day out.

I have four collages included in the exhibition 

Dart - Emperor Dragonfly At Riverside

Flit - Satyr Butterfly On Thistle

Buzz - Bumble Bee On Lavender

Flutter - Comma Butterfly On Japonica

'Monster Splash' magazine collage

'Monster Splash' is the next in my 'Let's Pretend' series of collages for my solo exhibition next September.

Monster Splash

The series is based on the original idea that climate change is real and not fantasy, from the EcoCreate 'Fairytales, Myths & Legends' exhibition we curated in January. My 'Lets Pretend' series explores the theme further by depicting children in role play situations, pretending and imagining the fantasy world around them. Drawing a parallel between those who choose to ignore the reality of climate change. Each piece is made entirely from upcycled magazines using non-toxic adhesives all on recycled board. I use reclaimed wooden frames by a local artisan or preloved frames to present the pieces. I'm still hunting for the perfect frame for this one!

'Monster Splash' is based on photographs I took of my son splashing around puddles on our way home from Granny's. He was pretending to be a monster in his dragon/dinosaur (we're undecided!) rain poncho.

The first piece in the series was 'Red Ridinghood' which was exhibited at January's exhibition.

Red Ridinghood

I have sketched out a 'Goldilocks & Little Bear' ready for collaging. I hope to add some more traditional tales to the series.

Goldilocks & Little Bear

I also have 'Lion Boy' sketched out and ready to go

Lion Boy

'The Princess & Her Horse' which you can learn more about in my previous post, will also be included.

The Princess & Her Horse

Lots more planned, watch this space :-)

To be kept up to date please join my mailing list, sign up box on my main website. I do not send a regular newsletter out, just notifications of exhibitions & events. Visit Main Website

'Let's Pretend' magazine collage series

I'm really enjoying working on my 'Let's Pretend' series of collages for my solo exhibition next September.

The Princess & Her Horse

This is my latest piece which you may have seen me working on at the May open studios if you visited me then.

The Princess & Her Horse Rough Sketch

The Princess & Her Horse WIP

I spotted this photograph on my cousin's Facebook wall and asked permission to use as it fit my theme perfectly!

The Princess & Her Horse Original Image

I have started using reclaimed frames again for my none commissioned pieces, this preloved frame seemed ideal.

The Princess & Her Horse In Reclaimed Frame

I have several more pieces for this series in the pipeline so watch this space to see more.....

Air Arts Exhibition Derby Royal Hospital

I was thrilled to have my work selected again to be part of the Air Arts trail at Royal Derby Hospital. The arts trail is part of ongoing efforts at the hospital to improve the environment for patients, staff and visitors.

Royal Derby Hospital Air Arts Trail

My collages can be found on level 3. There are booklets available at the hospital with a a map locating all the artwork that can be found there. The exhibition runs until June 2016.

The exhibition was launched 27th January, several of the artists had work for sale and it was a great opportunity to meet others involved.

My stand at the launch event

Fairytales, Myths & Legends Exhibition Launch

I love being a partner at EcoCreate. What a fantastic way to start 2016! We had a wonderful time on Saturday as we gathered to celebrate the launch of our eco and upcycled art exhibition ‘Fairytales, Myths & Legends’.

The exhibition aims to highlight the issues surrounding climate change and showcases the work of fourteen UK artists Learn More

Red Ridinghood - Let's Pretend

My 'Red Ridinghood' from my new 'Let's Pretend' series was included in the exhibition although Charlotte and I excluded ourselves from the awards. Stunning frame by Roaring tree.

During the event the winners of our Gold, Silver and Bronze awards were announced. The awards were made by the talented Keith Lynn of KL Metal art.

The recipients were chosen by our panel of judges Michelle from Remade In Britain, Olivia form Preloved and Jen from Make do and mend-able.

We were thrilled that Michelle and Olivia were able to join us on the night to announce the winners and help present the awards.

& the winner is…..

The Gold Award was presented to Elizabeth Blades for ‘How does your garden grow?’

The Silver Award was presented to Kate Whiting for Rising Dawn Phoenix Shawl

The Bronze Award was presented to Jacquelyn Cook for Fairy Wood

How absolutely amazing is this cake we had made for the launch!? Thank you so much to  James and the giant cake for creating it for us Can you spot your favourite Fairytale?

Fairytale Cake – James & The Giant Cake
The exhibition will run from 5th – 29th January 2016 Monday – Friday 10am until 3pm. Viewing outside of these times is by appointment only.
Banks Mill Studios 71 Bridge Street Derby DE1 3LB

New Studio At Bank's Mill!!!!

I am very excited to have moved into my new studio at Bank's Mill, Derby, this month! I have been an associate for many years and to become a resident is a dream come true. My studio, 4:11, is quite small and on the 4th floor (no lift!) but I love it and have already spent several productive days there.

I am looking forward to making it my own and taking part in my first open studios November 20th - 22nd 2015. Banks Mill houses many talented artists and an artisan fair will be running at the Enterprise centre which is well worth a visit. The EcoCreate team will be at the fair, do pop and say hello if you can.

It's still looking a bit bare and so I have several plans to upcycle some old furniture which I will be adding to the EcoCreate blog in due course. It is lovely and light and a wonderful space to work in.

The Woodsman having a well earned rest after lugging my rammel up four flights of stairs!

Connect Exhibition

The Connect Exhibition

I am very excited to have three of my magazine collages in the Connect exhibition at the Royal Derby Hospital as part of the Air Arts project. Artists from Banks Mill studios are exhibiting work across five floors of the hospital as part of the scheme that serves to enhance the environment within the corridors.

"Connect is a collaborative exhibition that features work by 11 of our resident artists and affiliate members. This exhibition spans over five floors of the Royal Derby Hospital and is co-ordinated by Air Arts, a project funded by investment from the National Lottery through the Arts Council’s Grants for the arts programme. This investment is matched by funding from Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, its commercial partners and through charitable donations made to Derby Hospitals Charity". Banks Mill Studios

The exhibition launched in June it was lovely to attend the event and meet some of the wonderful artists involved. I also took along some items from the EcoCreate project to promote upcycling and eco friendly creating while there.

The EcoCreate Stand

The exhibition has had a mention in the local press too, I'm the one holding up the cardboard tube garland that I made for the EcoCreate tutorials section. The story can also be found online here www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Art-display-Royal-Derby-Hospital-praised-culture/story-26724272-detail/story.html

Article Derby Telegraph

My work is exhibited under the collective name 'Nature's Child' which is an ongoing theme in my work.

Exhibition Panel

Nature's Child 

This collection of works reflects the innocent pleasure that children take in their environment, often lost as we grow older. Depicting precious moments in time and preserving happy memories, captures in essence my main drive in pursuing environmentally friendly practices. What is precious to us is worth protecting and the greatest motivation is working for the those we love. Each piece is constructed entirely from ripped and cut magazines, all on recycled board using non-toxic adhesives. Framed with reclaimed wood by a local artisan.

The exhibition will be running until 31st August. More information can be found on the Evolve website www.evolvederby.co.uk/connect