Exhibition: All Things Fishy!

Saturday 30th April 2011 – Monday 13th June 2011

For our early summer exhibition, Otterton Mill's Gallery is showcasing a range of South West artists who are inspired by their shared fascination for fish and creatures of the sea. The theme makes for an interesting and diverse collection in its portrayal of an underwater world.

The first featured artist, Tim Lee, is exhibiting a mixture of original paintings and prints of underwater seascapes and their fishy inhabitants. Tim's exhibits are painted on deep edge canvas on which he uses layers of naturally dyed 'strawsilk' fibres, acrylic, metallic glitter, gold/silver leaf, and gouache paints. The result is that the paintings (and retouched prints) view differently in any changing light, natural or artificial, causing the painted fish to flicker, glow and sparkle. Tim says: "my painting style tries to convey the effects and perspectives created as changing light converges with the changing currents and flows of the ocean." Tim's canvasses are bursting with colour and movement and would make an eye-catching focal point to any wall. Otterton Mill has also been exhibiting Tim's glass work for 3 years now and it is always a best seller. His delicate glow pots, lamps and vases are unique, as he describes: "you will not find two pieces exactly the same. The colour, texture and individual nature of the materials make it impossible to produce identical pieces."

The second artist, Chris Hooper, is exhibiting acrylic canvases depicting mackerel and gold fish. He has a very contemporary feel to his work, marrying his realistic and detailed studies of fish with abstract backgrounds. Chris has lived in Budleigh Salterton for a year, but previously studied Art, Design & Print Science at Southampton faculty of Art & design. For the last 12 years he has worked with Autistic children. Since moving to Devon, Chris admits he has "felt a strong sense of inspiration from the Devon seascapes." He enjoys capturing local scenes and laughs, "I am always on the hunt for a foreboding sky or a landscape with a sense of drama!" He uses acrylics in a traditional style, but also produces abstract work using mixed media. Chris recently won the Talisman trophy for 'Best Acrylic' at the Budleigh Salterton Art Club Summer Exhibition for 'Storm & Wild Flowers'.

John Woolner, the Mill's third exhibiting artist, is showcasing a range of small and large ceramic fish displayed on driftwood, which he collects from Devon's coastline. A keen fisherman inspired by the north Devon coast, John is fascinated by the power of water and the way its dramatic force tortures and twists the coastline. Watching shoals of mackerel during his fishing trips has also given his beautiful ceramic fish an incredible life-like quality; their shining glazes make them look as though they could swim off their driftwood mounts.

The fourth featured artist, Paul Anderson, has based both his home and studio in Hartland, along the wild North Devon coastline. "I guess that this landscape and my love of discarded materials have both been powerful influences in my work," Paul admits. Using relic oak from defunct barn roofs, boats, gates and fences, Paul makes small, whimsical, fish-themed objects, which he describes as, "quirky, intimate and very one-off." Paul also enjoys creating commissioned pieces, a process that he finds "rewarding and exciting - it stretches me creatively."

The Mill's fifth and final exhibiting artist, Rosemary Jacks, is showcasing a range of ceramics (domestic ware) with a simple, but effective fishy design! Working from her studio in East Devon Rosemary Jacks makes a range of practical, yet quirky slip decorated tableware - that would look lovely in any home. She is strongly influenced by traditional North Devon and Staffordshire slipware and English Mediaeval pottery. She uses a variety of techniques including: scaffito, slip trailing, sprigging, paper resist and brush work to produce her own style of practical pots. Rosemary's previous exhibitions include; Devon Art Week, Pecorama Autumn Exhibition 2009, Westcountry Potters' Association exhibition and the Potter's Market at Exeter Quay. She also sells through local shops and galleries and a stall at the popular Bridport Market.

We are really excited to exhibit this wonderful collection of work that celebrates the beautiful coastline and its fishy residents. With its energetic use of colour and fascinating mix of medias/ techniques this exhibition encapsulates the fluid movement of the underwater world and its elusive inhabitants - you can almost smell the sea air! We are also proud to support and champion the skills of local, South West artists, illustrating the wealth of creative talent on our very doorstep.

The exhibition runs daily until 13th June. Entry is free.