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:

Poppykins 'New Beginnings' 23 August to 12 September 2021

 

Poppykins

'New Beginnings'

Textile artist and designer Poppykins, AKA Sam Taylor, has installed this 3 panel mixed media textile piece in The Pocket Gallery.

With crocheted sunflowers in her signature amigurimi style, appliqued over denim panels (drawing parallels with the indigoferin-rich woad and false indigo dye plants grown in the garden) alongside honeycomb shaped patchwork panels and decorative embroidered stitches, this work suggests a garden in high summer, full of bright, bold blooms and buzzing with life.

To find out more about Sam and her work visit her social media pages by clicking on the following links:

Facebook

 Instagram: Poppykins Crochet & Poppykins Patchwork

or her Etsy webshop.

Poppykins goods are also stocked in local shops such as Made in Ashford, Canterbury Makers and Made in Folkestone.

Sam Taylor

New Beginnings

Mixed Media

2021.

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UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS:

David Alderman 'Untitled' 2-22 August 2021

David Alderman

'Untitled'

In the second show of our Folkestone Triennial 2021 offerings, David Alderman's graphic line work prints cover all walls of the gallery for this lino print exhibition. 

To find out more about David and his work follow him on Instagram at @davidartdavid

David Alderman

Untitled

Lino print on paper

2021.

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UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS:

 

Candida Wright 'Sea Cave Discoveries No. 108' 12 July - 1 August

Sea Cave Discovery No. 108

Candida Wright

Come and see the latest finds from the book The Adventures of Zebrina - the Marine Biologist.

The image above shows her find No.107, The Sea Drifter.

In the Pocket Garden Gallery will be the find No.108 from her chapter, Sea Cave discoveries

To find out more about Candida and her work visit her website here.

Candida Wright

Sea Cave Discoveries Find No. 108

Ceramic

2021

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UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS:

Suzi Ashworth 'St. Gertrude of Nivelles' 21 June - 11 July

 

St. Gertrude of Nivelles

Suzi Ashworth

St. Gertrude of Nivelles is the Catholic Patron Saint of gardeners, mental health, mice and cats. She is also associated with saving people from plague, as during the Black Death she was venerated for driving out mice and rats. All of which seems very appropriate during these times!

Gertrude was a 7th century noblewoman whose first notable action was at age 10, when she  refused to marry an Austrasian (former kingdom spanning parts of northern france, germany and the lowlands) Prince, stating that she would rather be "married to Christ". Women's  feelings were rarely taken in to account, but the marriage did not go ahead as her father died shortly after. To protect Gertrude's virtue and chastity, and (possibly more importantly) prevent her being taken advantage of by suitors only interested in her families wealth and land, Gertrude's mother Itta is said to have shaved the girls head and placed her in a monastery. Gertrude spent the rest of her life fasting, praying and eventually became the Abbess of Nivelles.

She died quite young (by our standards) at 33 years old, with chroniclers crediting her weakened state to excessive fasting and abstinence. She is associated with two 'miracles'. The first was her vision of a burning sphere appearing above the altar she was praying at, and the second was an incident where a ship was attacked by 'a great storm and a sea monster' and was saved when the occupants cried out to Gertrude for help.

Whether you believe in the miracles or not, I think we can all do with a little help with 'Plague' and our collective mental health at the moment, so a beautiful garden with cats seems a perfect place for a tiny altarpiece to St Gertrude.

The cats portrayed in the altarpiece are (L to R) Bella (my house mog), Toby (the PPCG garden cat) and Archie (Toby's on-again-off-again #itscomplicated gentleman friend). Sweet violets are the flower associated with Gertrude, so these have been included in the painted panels (and sown in the beds beneath the Gallery).

Suzi Ashworth

St Gertrude of Nivelles Altarpiece

Mixed media

2021.

Suzi Ashworth is a Folkestone based yarn dyer and illustrator.

To see more of her work follow Folkestone Harbour Yarn on Instagram or Facebook.

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UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS:

 

Jessica Rolan 'The Secret Lives of Animals: Wasp Edition' 1 - 20 June 2021

 

The Secret Lives Of Animals: Wasp Edition

JESSICA ROLAN

My name is Jessica Rolan, a part-time artist enjoying exploring different media and art-forms. This comic strip came from an art prompt by Sketchy Business for “a day in the life of animals”. 

Wasps are a very important part of our insect life and deserve more love than they get! I hoped that this little comic would be uplifting and speak to us all - wasp and human alike - that our worth is not dependant on our popularity.

 

Find me on Instagram jessica_rolan.art and follow sketchybusinessuk for awesome art prompts for your sketchbook!

Jessica Rolan

The Secret Lives of Animals; Wasp Edition

Digital Media

2020

If you want to find out more information about how useful and clever wasps are, this video made by Chris Packham for BBC Springwatch is a great place to start:

This is another great clip explaining the essential functions wasps perform in the ecosystem:

Charities such as Buglife and the RSPB have great information about how to help and encourage these essential insects in your garden.

Here's an image of a wasp drinking from the PPCG bird bowl before flying off to chew some wood for its paper nest.

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UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS:

Liz Garnett Coldblow Trees 10 - 31 May 2021

 

Coldblow Trees

Liz Garnett

This image was shot at Coldblow on the North Downs above Maidstone and is part of the Creative Pilgrimage project in which seven artists follow the Augustine Camino pilgrimage from Rochester to Ramsgate.

 

Limited Edition photographs are available from the artist.

www.lizgarnett.com

Instagram: www.instagram/lizgarnett_art

Twitter: www.twitter.com/lizgarnett

Facebook: Liz Garnett Artist | Facebook

'Coldblow Trees'

Liz Garnett

Photograph

2021

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UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS

Ali Bannister Daydreaming/Sweet Dreams 19 April to 9 May

Daydreaming

Sweet Dreams

A hazel dormouse has chosen the gallery to go into a hibernation-like state to save energy. 

Keep an eye out and keep checking back for it starting to stir! 

These types of dormice are rare and vulnerable to extinction in the UK. The People's Trust for Endangered Species are working to prevent this from happening and have already reintroduced a thousand dormice to twelve counties. In eight of these countries the dormice were completely extinct. PTES have already provided over 20,000 dormice boxes to hundreds of sites across England and Wales. With the help of the public, they will release 90 dormice into this country in the next two years and continue to monitor and support them. 

Want to help save these adorable creatures? Click here for more information from PTES; or buy one of Ali's Dormice original paintings or a ready to hang print. 20% of all sales will be donated to PTES.

Ali Bannister undertakes commissioned portraits of animals and people; and sells original artwork and high-quality prints of her work. 

She has won many prestigious art awards including Artist of the Year 2019 from The Society of Art and Artists. Her impressive artistic CV includes work on the Steven Spielberg movie 'War Horse' (as Equine Artistic Advisor), commissions from War Horse author Michael Morpugo, musician Ringo Starr, plus dressage horse Donnersong's owner and rider Kate Carter. Her work hangs in the homes of legendary sports figures including Frankie Dettori and Andrew Strauss, and commissions include work for clients in Australia, U.S.A, Thailand and Hong Kong.  

To find out more about Ali & her work you can visit her website

www.alibannister.com

or visit her facebook page: Ali Bannister Portraits

 Feel free to contact her with enquiries.

 Sleeping Dormouse 'Sweet Dreams'

Eyes Open Dormouse 'Daydreaming'

Ali Bannister

Acrylic paint on gesso board

2021

Original painting £130, Prints £28. 

20% of all sales will be donated to PTES.

The installation includes honeysuckle, one of the preferred nesting materials of Hazel Dormice, plus an audio recording of a sleeping dormouse.

The artist would like to thank professional Ecologist Diana Clark, Kate Heightman from Nutshell Photography and forest ranger Gerry O'Brien for supporting this project by sharing their knowledge and allowing Ali to work from their wonderful photographs.

Late April through to May is around the time that Hazel Dormice wake up from winter hibernation, so check back regularly to see if our sleepy little fellow stirs!

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UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS:

Ben Braudy 'Architectural Details' 29 March to 18 April 2021

Ben Braudy is a Folkestone based artist primarily focused on colourful hand drawn illustrations of architecture. He also collaborates with others on large scale sand art and community projects, such as the Pebble Poppies laid by the Folkestone boardwalk in 2019. In 2018, he co- founded the Kent based group East Cliff Creatives with fellow artist Angus Cameron.

This show features some of the interesting architecture and sculptures I found on a walk around the Creative Quarter. They are all originals, hand drawn in ink and then either coloured with pencil or marker. I also made the frames by hand using coloured matchstick and cellophane for the “glass”. I am quite used to drawing small details in my work but these are definitely the tiniest complete pieces I have ever created, which has been a really fun challenge!

All the pieces are available for £10 each, all proceeds will be donated to the Kent Refugee Action Network. 

1. Blue Window

2. Brickwork

3 Green Door

4 Window with Cornicing

5. Ice Cream Kiosk

6. Water Tower - SOLD

Find out more about Ben's work using the following links:

Website: benbraudy.com

Instagram/ Facebook: @benbraudyillustration

Email: benbraudy@gmail.com

Ben Braudy

Architectural Details

Mixed Media

2021

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UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS:

Ben Braudy is a Folkestone based artist primarily focused on colourful hand drawn illustrations

of architecture. He also collaborates with others on large scale sand art and community

projects, such as the Pebble Poppies laid by the Folkestone boardwalk in 2019. In 2018, he co-

founded the Kent based group East Cliff Creatives with fellow artist Angus Cameron

Di Burns 'Don't Let The Bastards Get You Down' 8 to 28 March 2021

'Don't Let The Bastards Get You Down'

Di Burns

Di Burns is a Textile Artist and Record Label owner based in Folkestone.

Working under her own name and also as organiser of the Purl Queens yarn bombing collective she has exhibited throughout the U.K. and internationally, notably as a repeat contributor to the Trivento International Yarn Bombing Festival. 

Folkestonians will be familiar with her work, particularly the much loved crocheted poppy installation on the Road of Remembrance, which has been installed, updaited and maintained by Di & a group of volunteers since 2011. In 2016 the Poppies Project received a Judge's Special Mention in the Community Engagement category at the Civic Voice Awards, held annually in London.

In 2018 Purl Queens hit the news again, this time for an installation of Kaffe Fassett inspired yarn bombing organised to mark the legendary textile designers lecture visit to Folkestone's Quarterhouse.

To find out more about Purl Queens visit their blog here:

Blog – Purl Queens

'Don't Let The Bastards Get You Down'

Di Burns

Embroidery on vintage textiles with wooden hoop and mixed media.

2021

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Upcoming Exhibitions:

Simon Davenport 'A Pipe' 15 February to 7 March

 

'A PIPE'

Simon Davenport

Simon Davenport is a sculptor and filmmaker based in Folkestone.

Recent projects include Helen Keller holding a Magnolia with Cerith Wyn Evans, Josey, Norwich (2019), Pale Havoc, Maison Grégoire, Brussels (2017), Tinitus Detritus, Second Room, Ghent, Belgium (2016) and New Pabulum, Kunstraum, London (2015).

In 2012, Davenport was included in Young British Art curated by Ryan Gander and Christina von Rotenhan at DIENSTGEBÄUDE, Zurich. In 2017, he contributed to Peter Coffin’s project Imaginery Concerts published by Printed Matter, USA.

Davenport was recently commissioned for Folkestone Triennial 2021.

To find out more about Simon's work visit:

www.simondavenport.info

'A Pipe'

Simon Davenport

Mixed Media

2021.

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Upcoming Exhibitions:

Clare Hamilton 'Weather the Storm Together' 25 January to 14 February 2021

 

'WEATHER THE STORM TOGETHER'

Clare Hamilton

In these lockdown days, some of us are coping better than others. We really are all in this together and need to look out for each other now more than ever.

If you are struggling to weather the storm - financially, practically or emotionally - there are local organisations who can help, including:

Kent Together 

can help you with:

- making sure you have enough food and supplies

- picking up prescriptions (except in Tunbridge Wells)

- making sure you have someone to talk to by phone, Skype or Facetime.

Kent Support and Assistance

can provide short term assistance to households facing financial hardship as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Money Advice Service

can give you advice about how to manage your money and what support is available from your account providers.

Live Well Kent

can offer free, confidential support when mental health is impacting your life, work, money, relationships, housing or physical health.

Wellbeing advice

Here you'll find suggestions that can help your wellbeing as well as children and young people's wellbeing.

The pandemic has created uncertainty and anxiety and the constant news can feel overwhelming. This anxiety is natural, and we are all feeling it. Fortunately, there are things we can do to protect our mental health and to support the wellbeing of our friends and family.

'Weather The Storm Together'

Clare Hamilton

Driftwood boat and ceramic wave sculpture.

2021.

You'll find out more about Clare's work using the links below:

Instagram @clare_hamilton_design and 

The Woodshed Gallery Folkestone 

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Upcoming Exhibitions: