Animal in You Kickstarter Campaign: Become a patron, explore your inner animal

Animal in You: How would it feel to dive into your own surreal, dream world through an inkblot painting?


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I am looking for lovers of art and the human mind to collaborate with me to produce a series of 60 oil paintings (35x35cm) guided by your interpretation of an inkblot and inspired by what you see within the shapes and forms of the paint.

I’ll invite you to gaze at an inkblot and tell me what pops into your head (I promise I won’t psycho-analyse you, unless you want me to that is!). Once you let me know what you see, I’ll get to work on a painting just for you 🙂


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The painting will be created on raw, unstretched canvas. I love the sandy colour of raw canvas. It has a lovely feel and texture and as such is the perfect medium for bringing the inkblot to life.

Your Animal in You painting will be one of a kind with you in mind. Influenced by surrealist techniques and klecksography (creating images out of inkblots) Animal in You explores and celebrates animal symbolism and the subconscious mind.




Jessica K Ballantyne Inkblots Animal in YouJessica K Ballantyne Inkblots Animal in You

If I reach my goal

You will be invited to a virtual, solo exhibition and live stream of Animal in You. Your painting will be among the surreal menagerie of artworks on display in a dreamy, interactive, virtual environment. I plan to take the experience even further by creating a memorable book of the inkblot paintings which will include animal archetypes, quotes from participants and potentially, from a qualified therapist or psychologist.



Why Inkblots?

The inkblot test (also called the “Rorschach” test) is a method of psychological evaluation that psychologists use to examine the personality characteristics and emotional functioning of their patients. In my opinion, inkblots are the icons of psychoanalysis and represent the mind’s incredible ability to make sense of random, abstract forms.

I love the process of studying an inkblot and seeing what images pop up, for me it’s usually animals, hence Animal in You.

I’ve always been fascinated by the animal side of our human nature, the instinctual and unconscious desires that often drive our actions. What started as a rather personal series, changed as I began to share the inkblots with people and gain insights into what they were seeing.

Different people see different things within the same inkblot. This is a fascinating way to connect with the subconscious minds of others. I am interested in Jungian archetypes and how the animals that sometimes appear hold surprising symbolic meaning for the viewer.

“The instincts are a far better protection than all the intellectual wisdom in the world”– Carl Jung

How it Works

*1. You will receive a picture (via email) of an inkblot which has been made on raw, unstretched canvas .


Example inkblot. Each participant will receive a picture of a different inkblot that I've pre-made, on raw canvas.Example inkblot. Each participant will receive a picture of a different inkblot that I've pre-made, on raw canvas.

Example inkblot. Each participant will receive a picture of a different inkblot that I’ve pre-made, on raw canvas.

*2. We will have a conversation about what you see (via email or skype) and I’ll use your vision to develop a digital collage as a plan for the painting (If you would prefer not to chat about what you see, you can leave it up to me to create a unique original Animal in You painting with you in mind.)


Example photo collage. Using Photoshop and inkblot photos I create a digital collage based on your interpretation of an inkblot.Example photo collage. Using Photoshop and inkblot photos I create a digital collage based on your interpretation of an inkblot.

Example photo collage. Using Photoshop and inkblot photos I create a digital collage based on your interpretation of an inkblot.



*3. I’ll use the digital collage as inspiration to develop the canvas inkblot with layers of oil paint.


Original Animal in You oil painting, 35x35cm, unstretched, raw canvasOriginal Animal in You oil painting, 35x35cm, unstretched, raw canvas

Original Animal in You oil painting, 35x35cm, unstretched, raw canvas

*4. I’ll need approximately 5 months of full time dedication to make this project a success. I plan on including (and paying) other creatives as much as possible to help with things like the book and the Animal in You virtual exhibition.

Rewards

£5 

  • Animal in You ebook (pdf)

  • Full colour, digital format 

  • Easily converted to kindle or other ebook readers

  • Invite to the private view live stream exhibition

£20

  • Animal in You soft cover book

  • Limited edition, signed

  • Will feature all the Animal in You paintings, quotes from participants, the artist and a professional therapist/psychologist specialising in Jungian analysis.

  • Invite to the private view, live stream exhibition

  • *above is an example of the kind of book I plan to create (A4 landscape, soft cover). Update: I did not reach my goal on Kickstarter but am offering the book at a smaller size. Preorder the book in my shop.


Animal in You book Jessica K Ballantyne Jungian Inkblots RorschachAnimal in You book Jessica K Ballantyne Jungian Inkblots Rorschach

 £95

A photo collage is created before each Animal in You painting is started and serves as the plan for the oil painting. 

If you prefer prints to paintings, this is a quirky alternative to the Animal in You original painting and is still completely unique to you and your interpretation of an inkblot.

Your photo collage will be printed on museum quality paper with archival inks which means rich, vibrant colours.

  • Animal in You Photo Collage PRINT

  • One of a kind, unique to you, based on your interpretation of an inkblot

  • Archival, museum quality print on Hahnemuhle paper

  • 1/1

  • 35x35cm

  • Signed

  • Invite to the private view live stream exhibition

  • £1 donation to World Wildlife Fund

  • *will differ from the image below, based on what you see in the inkblot image I send


Example of what your digital print could look like, unique to you and what you see in your inkblot. Created using Photoshop and canvas inkblot images.Example of what your digital print could look like, unique to you and what you see in your inkblot. Created using Photoshop and canvas inkblot images.

Example of what your digital print could look like, unique to you and what you see in your inkblot. Created using Photoshop and canvas inkblot images.



£190

An original Animal in You oil painting, based on your interpretation of an inkblot. 

  • Animal in You oil painting (unstretched, raw canvas, 35x35cm)

  • Animal in You ebook

  • Your painting featured in the book

  • Acknowledgement in the book

  • VIP Invite to the private view live stream exhibition

  • £2 donation to World Wildlife Fund


Original Animal in You painting on raw, unstretched canvasOriginal Animal in You painting on raw, unstretched canvas

Original Animal in You painting on raw, unstretched canvas

£210

Original Animal in You painting PLUS the Animal in You book.

  • Animal in You oil painting (unstretched, raw canvas, 35x35cm)

  • Animal in You book

  • Your painting featured in the book

  • Acknowledgement in the book

  • VIP Invite to the private view live stream exhibition

  • £2 donation to World Wildlife Fund



£490

Go Big! Same process except bigger. Your painting will measure 60x60cm. 

  • Animal in You original oil painting (60x60cm)

  • Animal in You book

  • Your painting featured in the book

  • Special acknowledgement in the book

  • VIP Invite to the private view live stream exhibition

  • £5 donation to World Wildlife Fund

  • *below is an example, your painting will be based on your unique inkblot and interpretation

*painting is created on unstretched, raw canvas and delivered rolled up in a tube for safety. It will need to be framed before it can be displayed.


Example of a 60x60cm Animal in You paintingExample of a 60x60cm Animal in You painting

Example of a 60x60cm Animal in You painting

£950

Make a statement! Same process, even bigger. Your painting will measure 85x85cm. 

  • Animal in You original oil painting (85x85CM)

  • Animal in You book

  • Animal in You ebook

  • Your painting featured in the book

  • Special acknowledgement in the book

  • VIP invite to the private view live stream exhibition

  • £9 donation to World Wildlife Fund

    *painting is created on unstretched, raw canvas and delivered rolled up in a tube for safety. It will need to be framed before it can be displayed.


Example of an 85x85cm Animal in You paintingExample of an 85x85cm Animal in You painting

Example of an 85x85cm Animal in You painting

The Animal in You Virtual Exhibition 

I plan on working with creatives to build a surreal, dreamy virtual gallery space, which will be accessible to anyone with an internet connection. The goal is to exhibit the paintings online but also to create an alternative gallery space unlike anything you have seen before. Think mood lighting, chaise longues and surprising objects inhabiting the exhibition space.

The beauty of creating a virtual gallery is that the limits that exist in real time and space do not apply in the virtual world, which leaves a lot of room for an imaginative environment that suits themes of the unconscious and dreams. The online gallery will be interactive (meaning you can move around the virtual space using your keyboard or phone, much like a game).

I’m very excited to work with other creatives on this aspect of the Animal in You project.


An example of a virtual exhibition space. The Animal in You virtual exhibition will differ in appearanceAn example of a virtual exhibition space. The Animal in You virtual exhibition will differ in appearance

An example of a virtual exhibition space. The Animal in You virtual exhibition will differ in appearance

Live Stream

The virtual exhibition will have an opening evening in the form of a live stream. You can watch live, online, as I walk you through the virtual gallery space, discussing the paintings and the Animal in You journey.  During the live stream, guests can post questions and interact with one another in the comments.

VIP guests will get entry into the live stream one hour before anyone else and will have the opportunity to ask me questions, live, about their painting and the project.

Hopefully I’ll be able to arrange an appearance by a Jungian specialist/therapist to add insights along the way, to talk about inkblots and the subconscious and add value to the live stream experience.

The Impact

Your contribution will help me evolve my creative practice and produce a series of paintings which I truly believe will spark conversation and bring connection and joy to people.  It will be another step in the direction of touching as many like-minded art lovers as I can and of sharing the meditative quality, magic and joy of introspective art.

As a professional artist and teacher, this project will help me to develop my practice, not only through the research into this intriguing branch of psychology, but also to develop my craft and collaborate with others to create art with meaning.


Greatart residency and Animal in Me inkblot workshop participantsGreatart residency and Animal in Me inkblot workshop participants

Greatart residency and Animal in Me inkblot workshop participants

I have offered several free workshops to the public and have been invited to do my second Animal in You workshop at Greatart, a large art store in London, which supports artists in a multitude of ways. These workshops afford the public the opportunity to create their own inkblots and develop them as they wish, with my guidance.


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This project will increase my credibility and allow me to spread my reach, offering more opportunities for the public to engage with art that is therapeutic and psychologically beneficial.

What others are saying


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Meet the artist


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I was born in South Africa and moved to London in 2009 after graduating with a BA (honours) in Fine Art from the University of Pretoria. I create oil paintings in the theme I’m most passionate about, the body mind. I have a great curiosity about dreams and the subconscious and the many ways these drive people. Animal in You combines my love of surrealistic methods like automatism (a surrealist technique of free-association or creating without thought or plan) with pareidolia, the phenomenon whereby we see faces in random patterns, shapes and forms.

I am a qualified teacher of art and design and teach at a college where I realised the therapeutic and psychologically beneficial qualities art had for my special needs learners in particular.

I have gone on to offer several free workshops to the public, two of which have been Animal in Me workshops at Greatart store in Hoxton, where participants made their own inkblots and, with my guidance, brought out their own vision with paint.

Animal in Me inkblot workshop and residency at Greatart

Painting the Animal in Me series started as a meditative process, which helped me to calm my reeling and often overwhelmed ‘animal mind’ during an emotionally challenging time. I have very little control of the shapes and forms created during the inkblot making and so, had to learn to surrender to the process, which, in turn, helped me to surrender a bit more to life. Because of the unpredictable results of the inkblots, I’m always surprised by the results and what people see in them.


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Watch my interview with art critic Tabish Khan where I talk about the project and reveal his Animal in You painting 

Other Ways You Can Help

Animal in You is an insightful collaboration between artist and viewer and the paintings that result from this amalgamation of minds are delightfully surreal. The Animal in You series is about starting a conversation and opening your mind to see things from different perspectives, after all it’s very rare for different people to see the same thing in the same inkblot.

If you can’t support the campaign financially, please share it with those who might like the idea behind Animal in You. Ask them what they see. You might discover something interesting about them! If you know any animal lovers, psychologists or lovers of the human mind and how it works, please share this with them.

This is a great time to invest a small amount for an original oil painting and become a patron of mine.

Thank you for your support.

Please use the share tools to spread the word.

Lockdown: A virtual, interactive exhibition featuring The Tunnel artists


The Tunnel is an art collective featuring a diverse collective of artists, musicians and filmmakers based in London.The Tunnel is an art collective featuring a diverse collective of artists, musicians and filmmakers based in London.

The Tunnel is an art collective featuring a diverse collective of artists, musicians and filmmakers based in London.

Immerse yourself in artistic responses to this troubling time from the comfort of your quarantine.- Chris Godber

Lockdown is a virtual and interactive art exhibition curated and built by Tunnel artist Chris Godber.

The Lockdown exhibition explores the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic. Featuring work created by the international artists collective, you can explore a bespoke virtual environment in your browser built with the HTML5 / WebGL game Engine PlayCanvas

Artists spoke about their work as Chris guided us through the virtual space, which looks much like the spaces we have exhibited in real life.

Unfortunately as I was talking about my work, which featured nudity (see below), Youtube actually cut us off due to “inappropriate content”! I was slightly flabbergasted as the work is clearly collaged and does not in anyway resemble a realistic body. I think all the nipples were just too much for the algorithm ha ha.

We have since appealed the decision, they now confirmed that it is indeed “art” and they have allowed us to keep the recording which you can find HERE

 

 

We aim to do another live stream event at a later date to give the other participating artists a chance to speak about their work, and give viewers the chance to ask questions and make comments in real time. Stay tuned or join my newsletter to stay updated.

Heart of Darkness: A Group Exhibiton by The Tunnel artists

Heart of Darkness

The Tunnel art collective will play host to a group show featuring some rather amazing artists I am very proud to show with. I’ll be exhibiting the new piece for the first time so I hope you can make it if you are in London!

The circular paintings will incorporate the Animal in Me and a series I’ve had in mind for a few years now: Kaleidoscopes. I am bringing back the surrealistic, erotic figure while still maintaining the automatic, spontaneous and almost abstract image making made possible by the inkblot.

I hope you will like them.

The Nineteenth exhibition by The Tunnel using the novella Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (1902) and Apocalypse Now by Francis Ford Coppola (1979) as a base.

Join @thetunnelartists this Saturday to enjoy this carefully curated group exhibition and night of performances 🍂🔥🍁

When : SAT 30th Nov 6-9pm & Sunday 11am-5pm
Location: @hundred_years_gallery
13 Pearson Street
London
E2 8JD
( nearest tube: Hoxton)


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Below is a sneak peek of my new painting so far. After working so up close and intimately with the canvas, I’m always surprised at how the forms seem to form themselves and are revealed to me only as I stand back. In a way the act of painting is an act of love making. I always think of Bob Ross saying “make love to the canvas” I find this both hilarious and affirmative!


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Animal In Me: GreatArt Residency and FREE Inkblot Workshops

If we lessen the control of our logical and conscious mind we can access the unconscious and uncover its strange and dreamy symbolism, which is as unique as it is universal.

— Jessica Ballantyne


A cross between an axolotle, bat and a bee <3Acrylic and oil paint on canvas30x30cm£150A cross between an axolotle, bat and a bee <3Acrylic and oil paint on canvas30x30cm£150

A cross between an axolotle, bat and a bee <3

Acrylic and oil paint on canvas

30x30cm

£150

Join me for my first residency with GreatArt and have some fun with the magic of inkblots and animal guides <3

The surrealist methods of art making have inspired people all across different fields, from psychology to fashion, the surrealist’s use of powerful, subconscious imagery has been a source of inspiration. If we lessen the control of our logical and conscious mind we can access the unconscious and uncover its strange and dreamy symbolism, which is as unique as it is universal.

 The surrealist methods of art-making have inspired people from across different fields. From psychology to fashion, the surrealist’s use of powerful, subconscious imagery has been a source of inspiration.

Join in the art making with the artist, Jessica Ballantyne as she plays with subconscious symbolism using inkblots as the method and medium. During the GreatArt residency, Jessica will create paintings on canvas, in the theme: The Animal in Me. Fascinated by the mythology of animals, Jessica often sees different, wild animals in her inkblots, often melting into one another within the patterns and resulting in a surreal amalgamation of creatures.

Do you want to take an inkblot journey through the magic of your own subconscious symbolism? On the weekend of the residency, Jessica will hold two workshops. Participants can make their own inkblots on canvas, with the artist guiding each step of the way. The artist invites viewers and participants to share what they see in one another’s inkblots.

Using acrylics, participants may transform the inkblots into the illusions they inspire. With the help of the artist, participants can choose to layer and enhance certain features to produce a new artwork or simply, leave the inkblot as it is in its beautiful simplicity. The inkblots created by the artist and participants will hang to dry and be displayed around the red cube, encouraging the public to interact with the artworks.

Sacred Nude: Solo Show and Workshop Event Opens this Saturday 22 Sept


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Hi Art Lover,

Sacred Nude: Solo and Workshop Event opens this Saturday! I’m brimming with excitement and nerves as I finalise last minute details for my first little solo show…. I almost can’t believe it’s finally happening as I’ve been dreaming it up for over a year now. What a crazy and wonderful time it has been, with many challenges and mental blocks that I have had to overcome to move through.

The catalogues of Sacred Nude art and poetry by the lovely Francesca Simonelli are on their way to me and I can’t wait to see the physical manifestation of all the digital work we did on it. Thank you to those special people who helped with that!!

There is still time to get a special edition (5 left) these will be signed and come with vinyl stickers of some of the Sacred Nudes and Flower of Life mandalas. And a big kiss from me for your support 😉 Get yours!

Catalogues can be picked at the opening or posted to your address one week later by the 29 September- I will be posting internationally too.
 

 


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A quick reminder about the Sacred Nude show opening:

Saturday 22 September 6-9 PM
Retreat Yoga Studio
367 New Cross Road
London, SE14 6AT

The Saturday workshops

29 September: meditative, mandala-making workshop.
6 October: Art Therapy with Eden O Shoro,
13 October: Life Drawing with Niel Venter and Life Drawing Gymnasia
20 October: Expressive Movement with Eden O Shoro and other professionals.
 

To learn more about the workshops click the link below. Workshops are restricted in size so please book ahead, the workshops are £5 (bargain!)

To RSVP or to book a workshop click the link below…

Mindless Mindful, Scared Nude poetry by Francesca Simonelli


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In the days leading up to my first solo show: Sacred Nude, I have asked poet and writer Francesca Simonelli to respond to my Sacred Nude drawings. What she did completely blew my mind away! Every day until the show opens I will post some of her very special, moving and inspiring poetry for you to enjoy.

Francesca Simonelli‘s poems have touched me and many others for many years and I was over the moon when Francesca agreed to write some words in response to the Sacred Nude series of artworks. Sacred Nude was inspired by a meditation practice that resulted in the healing of body and mind. I wanted to create a series that was dedicated to my meditation practice and the joy (and struggles) I encountered therein.

Exhibition opening: 22 September 2018, 6-9pm

Opening times: 1-5pm every Saturday until 20 October 2018

Inspiring and creative workshops each Saturday

Address:

Retreat Yoga Studio

367 New Cross Road

London, SE14 6AT

See home page to RSVP

 

Mindless-Mindful

By Francesca Simonelli

My heart

Slowed

To the point of emergency

Sounding the alarms

Of medical officials

I sat calmly

Questioning

“Do I want to stay…..

or do I want to go?”

I silently contemplated

Continuing the mindless monotony.

Exposed there

In the ER

Doctors swarming

Whispering

It may as well have been a dream

It was all so surreal

I sat

Neutralized

Seemingly unaffected

This wasn’t the first time.

With the near stroke

And inexplicable paralysis,

I panicked.

When in the midst of writing –

My hand simply stopped working

And I went numb.

Mindful

Only because my body forced me into submission –

That terrified me.

But this,

Now

I knew I could control my heart,

On some level.

I was in charge.

I could drop this body

And run,

Or let myself be lifted.

I walked out –

Mindless

Mindful

Perhaps a bit of both…

While the doctors were huddled

Not telling me their plan

Down the hallway,

As if I were already flat-lined.

They did not include me

In their conversation

As though I were an eavesdropper from the other team

Listening in on their mysterious tactics

While the head coach

Mumbled indiscernibly.

I did not trust their approach

Or methodology

But it was a Sunday

And my holistic doctor was not the “on-call” sort

Unless it truly were an emergency

I just was not convinced.

I would wait….

I was ok if I died waiting

But I knew in that moment

It was completely up to me.

With blind faith

I walked away

My legs still as sexy as ever

I could have been a dancer

I sauntered off that artificially lit stage

Where I would have been hooked up

And God only knows what…

Tested

Inserted

Grabbed

Handled

Poked

Prodded.

You know the routine….

The, “Lie down and take it” investigation

A ridiculous process of elimination.

Now

I rest my body when she calls intermission

My legs like antennae

One pointing to the heavens

Reminding me that I am made of stars

The other pointing to the earth

Reminding me that I am made of dirt

I may hide my arms behind my back

I may not let many people in

But believe me when I say

I am wide open

And I know who I am.

Mindful

Many fleeting moments

Still

Mindless

Most days.


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Sacred Nude: A Solo Exhibition and Workshop Event by Jessica K Ballantyne

First Solo Exhibition by Jessica K Ballantyne,

Curated by Maimuna Adam

In her “Sacred Nude” (2018) series, Jessica K Ballantyne presents morphed female bodies, at once multiple and singular, in a dialogue with the Flower of Life, an ancient and supposedly sacred, geometric symbol. For Ballantyne, the Flower of Life becomes an emblem of an ethereal self, an energy found outside the physical body.

Noting the symbol’s appearance throughout sacred sites and temples throughout the world and in the research by, amongst others, Leonardo Da Vinci, it is used to bring a sense of stability and peace through symmetry. Ballantyne feels that creating and having Sacred Geometry within eyesight can serve as a conscious and subconscious reminder of its creative, healing energy. The bodies in the Sacred Nude series are either turning towards the Flower of Life or away from it, but the symbol remains a source of light.

The artist’s fascination with the Flower of Life stems from her contact, not only with the metaphysical qualities of Sacred Geometry, but also through her research into meditation and neuroscience. The Flower of Life thus became a symbol of divine wisdom and healing change that can be achieved through self-reflection or meditation.

The Sacred Nudes are bodies that are naked, surrounded or framed by lush drapery inspired by classical nudes within the Western cannon of female beauty. Using bodies familiar to her, Ballantyne subtly questions her own ego and attachment to the body. As a South African woman, of Rhodesian, English and Scottish descent, growing up in Apartheid and post-Apartheid South Africa, her nudes inevitably tell us more than the artist would initially lead us to believe. These are bodies are simultaneously presented to us as light while not negating the darker places of the soul; the ego mind and the fears associated with inhabiting a temporary, material body in a politically and socially unstable country. The Sacred Nudes subtly confront the Western cannon of beauty by distorting and disfiguring the bodies whilst simultaneously placing them within a ‘safe’ space where the light of wisdom or truth in the form of the Flower of Life can envelope them.

“As humans we have been bombarded with imagery of women. Unfortunately many of these images teach us to constantly view ourselves from the outside, as bodies and objects without subjectivity and presence. I rebel against this limiting portrayal of women and invite the viewer into a private, psychological space where I manipulate the physical body to speak about presence, transcending the ego and letting go of attachments to the body and mind.” – Jessica K. Ballantyne

The Exhibition

Sacred Nude is a free, solo exhibition of eleven mixed-media drawings by Jessica K Ballantyne, combining the nude with a surreal twist, a distortion and doubling of bodies alongside Sacred Geometry.

The exhibition celebrates the psychological, spiritual and the divine feminine and was a tribute to a meditation experience the artist had during a progressive workshop with neuroscientist and author Dr Joe Dispenza.

PRIVATE VIEW:

Saturday 22 September 2018 at 6-9pm.

EXHIBITION CONTINUES:  Saturdays from 13:00 to 17:00 until 20th October.

VENUE:

The solo show and workshops will be hosted by the delightful Retreat Yoga Studio.

ADDRESS:

Retreat Yoga Studio, 367 New Cross Road, London, SE14 6AT

The box-framed, Sacred Nude drawings will be available ( A1 size without frame) as well as hand finished, framed and unframed, signed, diamond dusted prints.

The exhibition includes workshops in mandala making, therapeutic creative arts, expressive arts and life drawing every Saturday.

All workshops need to be pre-booked as there are limited spaces available. Book online via the button below…


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Metamorphosis: A Group Exhibition

Metamorphosis

A Group Exhibition exploring themes in Franz Kafka’s novel; Metamorphosis

 

metamorphosis

 

Opening THIS Friday 2 October 6-9pm!

I’m very excited about The Tunnel’s up coming show, our third group exhibition as a collective! Metamorphosis is a fine art exhibition which is based on Franz Kafka’s novella of the same name.

Artists in the exhibition include:

Jamie Stanton
Chris Paul Godber
Jessica Ballantyne
Lauren Mele
Julie Ann
Genevieve Leavold
Mathew Tudor
Elena Dimitrova
Mervyn Diese
Robyn Litchfield

If you are in the area, please do come along and support the artists!:)

The story revolves around a dutiful man who, overnight, transforms into a giant bug. All ten artists involved have interpreted the theme a little differently, for some of us our usual art work has elements of the kinds of themes present in the book; isolation, transformation, decay, the body, the grotesque, surrealism, etc.

I am making collage/box art objects. They are more sculptural but include photography, textiles and sculptural elements.
The ‘ box houses’ I have made are inspired by the fact that much of the story takes place in the main character’s room where he is a kind of prisoner- in his body as well as the space.
My art objects or “Domestic Dissections” reveal something of the inner world of thoughts,emotions and identity. I will also be showing my painting; Legs that Go, which hasn’t been shown in a gallery setting yet, so that should be interesting!

legs that go go go, Jessica Ballantyne, art, landscape, legs that go all the way up, humourous art, strange art, vibrant art, oil painting, contemporary art, south african artist, surreal, oil painting, painting, studio, artist studio, legs, lace, blue legs, surrealism, dark art, erotic, strange, dream, subconscious, bedding, bed landscape, landscape, desert, sky, clouds, hold up stockings, lace, stockings, fishnet stockings, bright, vibrant, yellow, blue, feet, double, mirror image, mirror, feminism, objectification,

When

Opening Night:This Friday 2 October 6-9pm
runs from
3 October – 6th October
12-5pm

Where

Rum Factory,
Unit 4 Pennington St,
Wapping,
E1W 9DB

Closest public transport : Shadwell (DLR) and Tower Hill

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Punch Opening Party 20th August at Espacio Gallery

Punch Opening Party 20th August at Espacio Gallery

Punch
Sweet ‘Art, a non-profit arts organisation based in London, are hosting their first Summer Arts Festival in collaboration with curator Shannon Rose, including an Art Bar Crawl. I am very excited to be a part of the opening party for Punch, part of Sweet ‘Arts summer Festival!

Join me tonight at Espacio Gallery for the opening party! If you are keen to learn about the artists and their works, we will be having artists talks and Q&A at Espacio Gallery on Saturday 22 August from 4;30pm.

Sweet ‘Art’s Summer Festival will be an exciting week of art, music, installations and activities, free to all and supporting the charity Papyrus.

Sweet ‘Art will also be hosting London’s first ever Art Bar Crawl. Visitors will be welcomed with drinks at each venue, with talks and Q&A by our talented artists, before heading to the next venue with aid of our Festival Map and Art Tour Guide.

For more information, see Sweet ‘Arts page here or Espacio Gallery’s website here

 

Where?

Espacio Gallery

159 Bethnal Green Road,
London,
E2 7DG

Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday 1-7pm, Sunday 1-5pm
Closed on Monday
Tube: Liverpool Street Station, Bethnal Green Station
Overground: Shoreditch High Street
Buses: 8, 388

When?

Private View: Thursday 20 August 5-8:30pm (Afterparty at Juno Bar 7pm – late)
exhibition runs until 23rd August

Art Bar Crawl: Sunday from 4;30
Venues; Espacio Gallery, Juno Bar, The Looking Glass Bar

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The Outsider; A Group Exhibition inspired by Albert Camus at 5th Base Gallery, Thursday 23 July 2015

The Outsider; A Group Exhibition inspired by Albert Camus at 5th Base Gallery, Thursday 23 July 2015

I am pleased to invite those of you in the UK to the second fine art group show this year with my new artist collective group; The Tunnel. The art exhibition will be a mix of very talented upcoming artists with some interesting and eclectic range of styles. We are looking forward to sharing our art work with you at 5th Base Gallery on the 23 July to the 28th July!:)

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the outsider, albert camus, exhibition, london, 5th base gallery, July exhibitions, contemporary artists,

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Please RSVP on the Event page on Facebook here – this is a free event

This exhibition is inspired by Albert Camus’ novel; The Outsider. The work in the exhibition responds to the themes of social normality, insanity and perception of ‘other’.

Featured Artists:

Elena Dimitrova,

Elana, Dimitrova, Elana Dimitrova, parrot, art, artist

 

Matthew Randle

Matthew Randle, art, artist

 

Genevieve Leavold

Genevieve Leavold, art, artist

 

Jessica Ballantyne

jessica ballantyne, artist, collage, erotic, surreal, feminist, contemporary, flowers, african mask,wallpaper, polka dot, pink polka dots, mask, colonialism,

 

Chris Paul Godber

Chis Paul Godber, art, artist

 

Mathew Tudor,

Mathew Tudor, delirium, art, artist
Lauren Mele

Lauren Mele, art, artist, london

 

Julie Steward

Julie ann steward, julie ann, art, artist

 

Mervyn Diese

Mervyn diese, art, artist, london

When and where

Opening Night is Thursday 23 July 6-9pm
Exhibition runs from 23-28 July

Gallery opening hours 9-5pm
5th Base Gallery, 23 Heneage Street
E1 5LJ
London

Please RSVP on the Event page on Facebook here – this is a free event

Join us for drinks, good vibes and, most importantly, mind blowing art!
P.S if you like table tennis, we are having an amateur showdown at the pub down the road after the opening:)

 

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