CURRENT EXHIBITION Angela Schutz 'Marie de la Mer of Folkestone' 12 Dec - Jan

 

Angela Schütz
'Marie de la Mer of Folkestone'

Payer's Park Community Garden inspires magical creatures in me like this hybrid of the Virgin Mary and a mermaid. Old mermaid myths say, every creature on land has its equivalent in the underwater world and the mermaid was believed to be the alluring sinful side of the female. Carvings in old churches warn folks of her tantalising danger in the shadows of the glorified Virgin Mary who represents the virtues to aspire to.

'Marie de la Mer of Folkestone' is also a nod to the French Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, a place of pilgrimage for travelling folks from all over the world.

With 'Marie de la Mer of Folkestone' I wish all people of all colour and orientation, from this world or otherworldly, who have landed on this shore a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Art made from found objects and recycled materials.

www.artandsoulwork.com

IG artandsoulwork_studio

Angela Schutz 'The Princess of Whelks' 19 September to 9 October 2022

Angela Schütz

'The Princess of Whelks'

....... still not tired of finding the magic beyond the ordinary world. Inspired by the innocence of the child mind and all our imaginary friends.

Art made from found objects and recycled materials.

To find out more about Angela and her work please use the following links:

www.artandsoulwork.com

Instagram: artandsoulwork_studio

Facebook: artandsoulwork

Beth Williams 'Goddess Army' 29 August to 18 September 2022

Goddess Army
Beth Williams

Goddess Army is a collection of hand-molded clay figures inspired by the Venus of Willendorf, a 30,000 year old oolite carving. Discovered in Austria in 1908, she is thought to be one of the earliest pieces of evidence of humans living in Europe.

As part of a larger collection, these three figures are a reminder of the divine feminine and speak of ancient times when a fuller figure denoted status, not shame. They represent the power women hold, both individually and collectively.

To find out more about Beth and her work you can contact via:

beth.faeriequeen@gmail.com

or follow on Instagram: beth_faeriequeen insta 

Goddess Army

Beth Williams

Clay and acrylic

2022.

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UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS:

Beth Williams

Clay and acrylic

Goddess Army is a collection of hand-molded clay figures inspired by the Venus of Willendorf, a

30,000 year old oolite carving. Discovered in Austria in 1908, she is thought to be one of the

earliest pieces of evidence of humans living in Europe.

As part of a larger collection, these three figures are a reminder of the divine feminine and

speak of ancient times when a fuller figure denoted status, not shame. They represent the

power women hold, both individually and collectively

Madi Strong '...promises, promises...' 8 - 28 August 2022

 …promises,promises…

Madi Strong

One of the places I lived as child had a promises box. It contained tiny scrolls of paper with verses of scripture, promises,  printed on them . I loved the pattern and texture they made standing regimented in their box. Sometimes I would be allowed to take the tweezers and extract a scroll . A good girl would then learn the promise by heart. I was not a good girl. In truth I loved the look and feel of it all the best it was a simple pleasure.

As life progresses we all have many experiences with promises, both good and bad. This small installation reflects on them starting with the beautiful fragile material that is porcelain,  which invites touch but is not in this case touchable.

To find out more about Madi & her work please visit:

Instagram @madistrong_ceramics

Facebook Madi Strong. Artist and Arts Therapist

 …promises,promises…
Porcelain,Cardboard,Steel
Madi Strong
£90

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UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS

Hayley Restall 'Meet Me in the Middle of the Sea' 18 July to 7 August 2022

 

Hayley Restall
Meet Me in the Middle of the Sea

Even the most epic of journeys can take us to familiar places. 

Mixed media,

2022.

To find out more about Hayley and her work please visit:
 

www.hayleyrestall.com 

FB: Hayley Restall, 

artistIG: @hayleyrestallartist

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UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS:

HANMAN 'Alien' 27 June- 17 July 2022

Alien
Hanman

The HANMAN, an exploration of 21st Century life for a young alien on earth. The HANMAN is facing the climate crisis and a pandemic on top of all the normal trials and tribulations an alien encounters. This alien provides an honesty for the artist that would not be shared were it to come from the artist directly. HANMAN is open to share the shame of the most suppressed feelings, therefore depicting a true portrait of the artists life. HANMAN is a series of images in varying mediums that form almost a diary of alien life. The alien is a loose theme that does not appear in all works but the majority.

To find out more about Hanman follow her on Instagram.

Alien,

Hanman,

Mixed media,

2022.

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Upcoming Exhibitions:

Katie Szysko 'Hyrc Krabowski' 6-26 June

 

HYRC KRABOWSKY

Katie Szysko

The strongest immigrant crab, fundament of the seabed found his way to Folkestone. After the long journey through the oceans of the world, he now sits at the altar, overlooking vast and foreign land. Coronated with the Pharaoh-like claw crown, he strives for the skies.

He cleaned the depths of the waters and clawed his way to the top. He’s seen the world at its gravest and its most profound. He earned his crown.

Hyrc is the altar of newly found peace. It represents the challenging journey; the struggles and obstacles one must overcome, and the strength gained. He’s homed on the pedestal above the wisdom of the written word in the little pocket as though still in his cave. For all to see his powers and put a light on in the tribute to his new life. Here, In the secret garden full of flowers, growth, and love.

Hyrc’s name is based on the sounds crabs make when feeding, fighting, and fornicating. Created by the Folkestone based artist duo Katie and Joseph.

Katie is a multi-disciplinary artist working in art, installation, film and creative writing.
To find out more about her work you can visit her instagram feed at 
Creative Writing Folkestone

'Hyrc Krabowski'

Katie Szysko.

Mixed media.
2022.

Sophie Wyllie 'The Nature of Being' 16 May - 5 June 2022

 ‘The Nature of Being’

Sophie Wyllie

This mini series has been inspired by Sophie’s book 'A Different Perspective, the nature of being' written in collaboration with her partner, music producer Scott Wyllie, to tell the story of how we can nurture the creative element within us. 

The inspiring little journal, illustrated throughout, offers a journey of self discovery to our highest potential and creating  new states of being to empower and thrive. Embodying the message into our daily lives we can create with ease from an inspired point of view. 

The journal can be purchased from Sophie’s website along with the audiobook and original artwork. 

www.sophiewyllieart.com

 ‘The Nature of Being’

Sophie Wyllie

Ink on card

2022.

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UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS:

Michał Kamil Piotrowski 'Visual Poetry' 14 March 3 April 2022

 Michał Kamil Piotrowski

Visual Poetry

Michał Kamil Piotrowski is a visual poet and text artist living and working in Folkestone. He writes experimental, visual, and technology-powered poetry. He enjoys making poetry interactive and he mostly works with found text. The themes he explores the most are technology, politics, love, and mental illnesses. His interactive book The Cursory Remix (2021, Contraband Books) has been co- written by Google Translate.

Below are some of his Visual poems:

'Druggy Pac-Man'

'Smile'

'Sonic Sonnet'

To find out more about Michał and his work, you can follow him on Instagram @somecoolwords or @artBLAB

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Jane De Bono 'Art Function Waste' 21 February - 13 March 2022

 

'Art Function Waste'

Jane De Bono

In this mixed media exhibit, sustainable designer Jane De Bono showcases her design mantra 'Art Function Waste' alongside one of her beautiful hand stitched leather purses.

Jane's luxury leather goods are hand painted and stitched, and crafted to the highest standards from sustainably sourced materials. 

Each one is unique, not mass produced, and her range includes smaller items which cleverly re-purpose offcuts into stylish accessories including earrings, pendants and key fobs.

Her simple, urban prints celebrate colour whilst being classic enough to stand the test of time.

Items can be purchased from her website, or from Native Three gift shop at 60 the Old High Street, Folkestone, or from All Aboard Collective pop-up shops and stalls at market events around Kent.

To find out more about Jane and her designs please visit:

Instagram: @ JaneDeBono

or her website at www.janedebono.com 

'Art Function Waste'

Jane de Bono,

Mixed Media,

2022.

BooYay Designs 'Welcome to my Echo Chamber' 7-20 February 2022

 

'Welcome to my Echo Chamber'

BooYay Designs

For Children's Mental Health Week 2022, Katie Bradley aka BooYay Designs, exhibits a piece which recognises social media as a place of whimsy, whilst also recognising the struggles such a platform can possess.

To find out more about Katie and her work please visit:

 Instagram @ BooYayDesigns 

'Welcome to my Echo Chamber'
Katie Bradley aka BooYay Designs
Acrylic on board, 10 x 10 x 10cm,
2022.

Amanda Wood 'Winter Hare' 10-30 January

WINTER HARE

AMANDA WOOD 

Winter Hare was created in December 2021 specifically for ZILCH! - an exhibition curated by Sue Bridge at Eight Squared Gallery on The Old High Street, Folkestone. 

Made from a little bit of wire (for the armature), tissue paper from an old shoebox and gold paint. The natural garden environment of The Pocket Gallery is the perfect home for Winter Hare - although she better watch out for the visiting foxes! 

Amanda Wood works from The Woodshed Studio & Gallery on the Bail Steps - leading to the historic Bayle from The Old High St. 

The Hare has been a reoccurring theme over the last 3 years, which you can see in Amanda's work on Instagram @thewoodshed_folkestone

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UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS:

The Mushroom Babes Christmas Special 6 December - 9 January

 

The Mushroom Babes

Christmas Special

The Mushroom Babes (aka Folkestone based illustrator Georgia McGain-Harding) has installed an exquisitely detailed wintery forest scene in The Pocket Gallery for the festive period.

Featuring real dried polypores, dyed moss, a real pinecone and snail shell and two miniature versions of her gorgeous body positive prints, this miniature marvel needs to be viewed to be truly appreciated. The more you look, the more detail you will find!

On display until 9 January 2022.

Georgia McGain-Harding

The Mushroom Babes

Pencil on paper, ink, moss, static grass, fake snow, found woodland objects

2021

To find out more about The Mushroom Babes artwork and/or purchase prints, clothing, badges, stickers and more please visit:

 Website: The Mushroom Babes

Instagram: 🍄Georgia McGain-Harding🍄 (@themushroombabes) • Instagram photos and videos

Also available to purchase in the Native Three shop, 60 The Old High Street, less than 100 yards down the hill from The Pocket Gallery! Native Three (@native_three) • Instagram photos and videos

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UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS:

Joypolloi 'The Herald (of What?) 15 November - 5 December 2021

 

Herald (of what?)
Joypolloi

Hand cut and pasted collage and assemblage using Tunnocks Caramel Wafer wrappers, a magazine image and arms from a plastic doll.

Joypolloi is a collage and assemblage artist based in Folkestone.

You can buy Joypolloi greeting cards and prints at Objectables, just down the road at 67 The Old High Street. Joypolloi will also be selling cards and prints at the Harbour Arm Festive Market as part of the Daughters of Industry stall on 27/28 November and 5/6 December. You can also buy work via etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/joypolloi. If you have a commission in mind please get in touch!

Thanks to @thingsfoundandmade (instagram handle) for helping to name this work.

To find out more about Joy and her work please visit:

www.joypolloi.co.uk

instagram @joypolloi

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/joypolloi

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UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS:

White Paper Pen 'Love Me Love Me Say That You Love Me!' 25 October - 14 November 2021

LOVE ME LOVE ME SAY THAT YOU LOVE ME!

In the midst of the winter lockdown, when I was due to be travelling through Mexico, an entity now known as “Steve” emerged in paint. He came seemingly out of nowhere and has been present in my work ever since. A presence I’ve found unsettling and somewhat ridiculous. Despite trying to kill him off, he’s become as resilient as he is colourful,  appearing in numerous guises and predicaments. Manic, often crying, he’s nostalgic, likes to dress up and be silly, travel the world and isn’t afraid of a bit of controversy. It’s even got to the point where people ask me how he is. A scenario that I find beyond comical yet at the same time intriguing. 

I’m asked regularly if “Steve” is actually me to which my knee jerk response is “Christ, I hope not” but I’ll admit there’s a strong resonance between us. There are days where I love him and days I hate him. Our evolving relationship is both bizarre and confusing but I’ve become resigned to the fact he isn’t going anywhere. A therapist would have a field day with this no?

This diorama is a further step in accepting his presence and is inspired by the Mexican tradition of the Nicho.  A form of folk art I’ve become fascinated with whilst researching my eventual escape to Mexico… 

White Paper Pen

'Love Me Love Me Say That You Love Me' Wood, Clay, Paint, Paper, Swarovski Crystal 10cm x 10cm x 10cm 2021.

Love Me Love Me Say That You Love Me (2021)

White Paper Pen is the studio of Folkestone based artist Steven Aron Williams. His work encompasses ideas about identity, politics, mortality and commemoration, bound together in a style which finds its origins in the cartoons of his childhood. Travel and popular culture are also recurring themes. He sees his  practice as an introspective process underpinned by anxiety, ageing and a dark humour ; an attempt to make sense of the world and his place in it.

Love Me, Love Me, Say That You Love Me is an extension of the exhibition entitled “Self” at the Eight Squared Gallery, Folkestone from the 28th Oct - 8th Nov.

25th October - 14th November

The Pocket Gallery / Payers Park Community Garden / Folkestone