An exhibition of recent Photographic works by Elizabeth James www.caliya.co.uk

Private View: Friday 30th of September 2011 – 6.00 pm to 11.00 pm (Live music by Ivy Chanel)

2nd Live Gig: Saturday 8th of October 2011 (NUBREEZE)

Exhibition runs from: Friday 30th of September – Thursday 13th of October 2011

Gallery Opening Hours: Fri – Weds: 11.00 am to 6.30 pm – Sat: 12.30pm – 5.00 pm

Last day of Exhibition: Thursday 13th of October: 11.00 am to 5.00 pm

“To exhibit what initially starts as a vision through the camera lens of an individual takes courage, self belief and confidence.” (Ian Baxter- Musician / Producer)

Elizabeth James has studied her craft from a young age with an array of detailed projects, which reflects natural growth aided by emerging digital technology. Despite personal diversity, Elizabeth’s unique approach of uncomplicated, honest reflective portfolio embodies, bold, emotive and sometimes contemplative artwork, is now combined with her internal aspiration to produce a series of works encapsulating innovative images.

Her 1st solo exhibition serves as a catalyst launch for selected images from her debut portfolio examining ‘shape’ and ‘form’ of various selected subjects.

This collection is dedicated to, and in aid of a charity close to her heart.

REFUGE

Refuge provides safety for families fleeing Domestic violence, an
invaluable services to communities and countries worldwide.Private Viewing night performance by: Ivy Chanel

USA born Ivy Chanel – is the latest British Artist to hit the transatlantic urban scene. Ivy Chanel is definitely one to watch. Her unique soulful voice mesmerises audiences, taking them on a captivating journey. www.ivychanel.com

Followed by ‘After Party’ and Live music from: NUBREEZE, Reggae-Roots-Soul- Jazz- Fusion

An 8 piece band from London made up of musicians spanning 30 years of music experience drawing an audience seeking that ‘real feel’ of music from classics to originals. Find Nubreeze on Facebook. Saturday 8th October 2011 7pm-1am

SPONSORS: Boutique Princess

London based retailer www.boutiqueprincess.co.uk work hard to capture the latest key looks and trends from the catwalk to the high street, making it easy to buy the season’s key looks.

Cherryhub: CherryHub events are refreshing self-branding and personal development. www.cherry-hub.com

A Selection of Paintings by David Emmanuel Noel

Private View: Friday 23rd of September 2011 – 6.00 pm to 11.00 pm

Live Music Gig/Fundraiser: Saturday 24th of September 2011 – 7.00 pm to 1.00 am

Exhibition runs from: Friday 23rd of September – Thursday 29th of September 2011

Gallery Opening Hours: Fri – Weds: 11.00 am to 6.30 pm – Sat: 12.30pm – 5.00 pm

Last day of Exhibition: Thursday 29th of September: 11.00 am to 5.00 pm

Artist David Emmanuel Noel marks his second exhibition at Red Gate Gallery. The theme explores elements that shape his appreciation of people, places and experiences, the impact of colour, sound and smell are provided through a new collection of acrylic paintings. The exhibition is a celebration of love, family, friendship and human creativity.

The Taoists belief that ‘elements’ provide a healing source is adopted, as is the view that everything we value is a combination of many if not all of these components. Wood, fire, earth, metal and water; the elements normally associated with this philosophy, are not resolutely incorporated but the artist invites you to explore how other elements are equally healing and play a significance in life’s happiness and balance. A percentage of sales from original work will be donated to the Sickle Cell Society, a registered charity formed by a group of patients, parents and health professionals concerned with the lack of understanding and the inadequate treatment for sufferers of sickle cell disorders.

David Emmanuel Noel

http://www.davidemmanuelnoel.com

An exhibition of recent ceramics and drawing works by artist James Cockburn

Private View: Friday 16th of September 2011 – 6.00 pm to 11.00 pm

Exhibition runs from: Friday 23rd of September – Thursday 22nd of September 2011

Gallery Opening Hours: Fri – Weds: 11.00 am to 6.30 pm – Sat: 12.30pm – 5.00 pm

Last day of Exhibition: Thursday 22nd of September: 11.00 am to 5.00 pm

James Cockburn, a British artist now living in France, will be showing his charcoal drawings alongside contrasting earthenware ceramics in bright colours during his first exhibition at Red Gate Gallery.

James lives and works in the Loire Valley, France, where the beauty of his surroundings inspires his art. He studied at St Martin’s School of Art under Freddy Gore and Gillian Ayres. He has held numerous shows in the UK and Europe, and is now rapidly gaining recognition around the world. Exhibitions in Singapore and Australia are scheduled later this year.

The drawings in this show are all in charcoal on hot-pressed water colour paper. James explains: “Charcoal suits me perfectly because of its immediacy and versatility. I can develop an idea very quickly. These drawings are not sketches for paintings, but finished works of art and pieces in their own right. The velvety paper – beautiful to work on – provides the gorgeous counterpart to the blackness coming from the charcoal. These drawings are ‘alive’.”

James came to pottery by chance when working in a Benedictine school in Sussex in 1980. He read Bernard Leach’s classic The Potter’s Book while making practical experiments in the Pottery, set up by one of the monks. At first it was all stoneware, but earthenware and in particular slip-decorated earthenware was where he ‘found’ himself. He was enthralled by a trip to Mexico in 1995, where peasant pottery is all earthenware, and has been making little else since

“What I like about making ceramics is the combination of beauty and usefulness: you can make something which looks fantastic from which you can eat,” James explains. “My taste for bright colours made earthenware the obvious choice. These plates, bowls and cups – no two of which are identical – can add cheer to a kitchen and dining room. They are simple to make, but this simplicity takes years to achieve.”

He adds: “The key to my pots has been the twin concepts of ‘generosity’ and ‘acceptance’. For example, when painting a plate, I load the brush with coloured slip until it is nearly dripping, holding nothing back – being ‘generous’ – then I make marks. These marks could be in the forms of nature or simply abstract and arbitrary. It pays to be confident at this point: fortune favours the brave. I try not to be tempted to change these marks, signifying my ‘acceptance’ of them. Any subsequent marks into the brushwork must be done in the same spirit. If I dislike them I remember that, just as old age gives character to faces, these ‘faults’ will give character to my pots.

“Silence, body position and concentration are all potent factors in making something beautiful. Generosity is not the same as carelessness. To be effective one must practise regularly and the good potter will weigh, literally and metaphorically, his or her materials so as to have the best chance of success.

An exhibition of mixed media works by Anthony Ruby, Rebecca Hope, Bruno Deroulede, Olga Koroleva, Maria Christoforatou, Matthew Priest, Dari Bae, Theresa Bruno, Nicholas Allan-Pui, David Stockley, Katie Elder, Fiona Long & Christina Christova

Private View: Friday 9th of September 2011 – 6.00 pm to 11.00 pm

Exhibition runs from: Friday 9th of September – Thursday 15th of September 2011

Opening Hours: Fri – Weds: 11.00 am to 6.30 pm – Sat: 12.30pm – 5.00 pm

Last day of Exhibition: Thursday 15th of September: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm

1.3 Miles from Centre Court is an exhibition of 13 emerging artists, with recently established practices. The title of the exhibition refers to the tennis court, which happens to be very near to the starting point of their careers from the University of the Arts London, Wimbledon. These artists reflect diversity in their practices, they demonstrate the success of Wimbledon Art College in allowing artists to find their own voice, and they all have had a promising start to their careers and early recognition.

Anthony Ruby’s concerns are focused on the polysemic and ambiguous qualities that lie within painting. Focused on alienation, otherworldliness and visual separation, his work involves the manipulation of different visual layers. http://www.anthonyruby.com

Rebecca Hope is interested in our encounters with another, as mediated through fragments of narrative and language. This current work derives from a recent residency at Tooting market and seeks to draw parallels with both local and wider market place activity. The work highlights the forgotten producers of our everyday staples, as food itself becomes an increasingly precious object. http://www.rebeccahope.net

Bruno Deroulede’s practice takes the form of social portraits and addresses the relationship between painting and photography. Some of his work raises the question of identity in the ‘Image-world’, while his group portraits highlight the contrast between the individual and the ensemble. http://www.brunoderoulede.com

Olga Koroleva is an artist working with writing, photography, moving image and sound. Her work is an investigation into the notion of human condition in relation to the immediate and global context. Her practice combines (re)enactment and (re)recorded text based on overheard conversations, news reports and scientific facts, as well as own writing.

http://www.olgakoroleva.com

Maria Christoforatou’s subject area is the concept of House and Home. Her research investigates the house as an essential basic, its pure form and its function as bodily presence and physicality, as an identity. http://www.mariachris.com

Matthew Priest and his unique use of drill to paint on aluminium and brass, presents his new series of cyber paintings. They include an intricate hypnotic mirror effect, interplay between the organic reflection of self and the mechanical manipulation of paint. http://matthewpriest.co.uk

Dari Bae’s work “Chandelier: Hair Filament” attempts to expose and critic capitalistic structures by re-presenting the chandelier and its associations of power and light. Human hair has replaced the lights source. In many cultural traditions hair is a contentious issue and has powerful significance. http://daribae.com

Theresa Bruno’s work plays with the ephemeral through the appropriation of found phenomena. Her interests include ideology, consumerism, discipline, control, morality and domesticity. She encourages the viewer to relook at the overlooked and develop a higher level of visual perception. http://theresabruno.squarespace.com

Nicholas Allan-Pui’s work explores the idea of ‘constructed places’, with a focus on nostalgia and dislocation. The echoes of Chinoiserie reference notions of authenticity, simulacra and Chinese identity. http://nicholasallanpui.com

David Stockley’s paintings deal with questions about the nature of the psychological states of individuals as they inhabit public spaces of transit. They endeavour to explore the dialogue that may develop between those individuals and the constructions that contain those spaces as well as the connections that may or may not exist between the figures. www.davidstockley.com

Katie Elder: The human body is in a constant state of transformation. The development of technology has revolutionized the body. The balance of nature and technology, in relationship to the body, has altered. We are becoming post-human hybrids of our former selves. Elder’s paintings disrupt the female body image, creating unique, hybrid bodies, questioning: How far should humans meddle with nature’s process? http://katieelder.com

Fiona Long’s practice explores the way in which the banal and everyday can be humorously elevated through laborious scrutiny. Communications can become unintentionally subverted and by then capturing and displaying them, subsequently entirely re-read. Her paintings and sculptures playfully challenge our expectations of the urban environment. With attention, the most ordinary details can become magical observations. http://www.fionalongart.co.uk

Christina Christova’s work is a voyeuristic intrusion into the fantasy, secret desires and escapism. The world she invents is one of carnivalesque exhibitionism, ambiguity and delusion; an alternate reality. http://www.inachristova.com

An exhibition of sculptures by Marta Fuks-Frankiewicz, Choreographer Alexandr Azarkevitch & Mikołaj Czekalski

Curated by Yara Tschallener

Private View: Friday 2nd of September 2011 – 6.00 pm to 11.00 pm

Exhibition runs from: Friday 2nd of September – Thursday 8th of September 2011

Opening Hours: Fri – Weds: 11.00 am to 6.30 pm – Sat: 12.30pm – 5.00 pm

Last day of Exhibition: Thursday 8th of September: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm

Participants of the Space-body-soul project include dr Alexandr Azarkevitch, a dancer and choreographer, direction of Associate Dean: Dancing on the Art Department of the Academy of Humanities and Economics in Lodz who, together with Marta Fuks-Frankiewicz, initiated the realization of the dance-sculpting project. The project also includes students specialties: Dancer-choreographer Direction: Dancing the Art Department at the Academy of Humanities and Economics in Łódź who are in fact an inspiration for sculpturing as dancers animate the sculptures through a selection of dance movements.

Performed by students of the Dance major, Faculty of Art, University of Humanities and Economics in Łódź, under the artistic direction of Alexandr Azarkevitch, Ph.D.: Natalia Kielan, Malwina Czyżewska, Sara Sobieraj, Katarzyna Więckowska, Damian Gilewski.

The project can be divided into three elements, all of which realize the artistic goals of all the people engaged in the project as a whole. The first dimension of the project is SPACE – it relates to the urban space of the city of Łódź. This dimension is being explored by a film – a performance presenting dancers in a nostalgic urban scenery. It is in attempt to present the specific climate of the 19th century tenement interiors. It is also an attempt to combine the energy and vitality of the dancers with the past that sinks into the oblivion. This goal is achieved with the visual contrast between the gentleness and etherealness of a classically dressed ballerina and the destroyed and squalid interior of the tenement. (The buildings where the scenes were filmed are located at 10 and 55 Piotrkowska Street.) The film was made by Mikołaj Czekalski a student of Film and Television Picture Production at the School of Art and Design in Łódź, Poland.

The second dimension of the project is BODY and it is directly related to the sculpture work. Similarly to the first unveiling of the project called BALANCE-DISBALANCE the sculptures are the impressionistic work of Marta Fuks-Frankiewicz and is inspired by the specific motion in ballet. This movement, however, is only apparent and captured at the very beginning – the moment when the dancer only intends to make a movement. It is also the actual movement in a pose that lasts only for a split second, however, when captured by the sculpture it will last forever. This is where the sensual pleasure for the spectators comes from – when they look at the sculptures it is real feast for the eye – the gracefulness and ephemeral charm permanently captured in bronze. These sculptures also have another dimension – the Author uses them to make us aware of the equal value of a Man and a Woman, who according to the Author are equal and therefore they are treated as one. They seem to be polar opposites of the balance in life. Their relationship, in order to be perfect, needs to be based on the balance of the spirit, body and soul and its motion force is the thin line between balance and imbalance that allows to achieve, if only for a moment, the absolute harmony. This is where the whole issue of sculpting, inspiration and appreciation for the dance are expressed by one word – BODY. Body is the carrier of emotions and energy and a tool with which the dancers tell their story.

The third dimension of the project –SOUL – bonds together the previous two. It bonds, as well as interpenetrates, both the concept of space and the concept of body. The soul revives these values and gives them a deeper sense. Without the element of soul a sculpture showing dancers’ bodies would only be a superficial record of the muscles, joints and tendons in motion and the space would only be a complex of deteriorating buildings which are irritating with their ugliness rather than attract with their mysteriousness. This dimension carries out the most important value – the spirituality which allows discovering the hidden beauty that subtly revives our sensitivity.

W projekcie SPACE-BODY-SOUL biorą udział dr Alexandr Azarkevitch, tancerz i choreograf, prodziekan kierunku: Taniec na Wydziale Artystycznym Akademii Humanistyczno-Ekonomicznej w Łodzi oraz Marta Fuks-Frankiewicz, rzeźbiarka

i malarka. Zainicjowali oni realizację projektu taneczno-rzeźbiarskiego. W projekt zaangażowani są studenci specjalności: Tancerz-choreograf, kierunku: Taniec na Wydziale Artystycznym Akademii Humanistyczno-Ekonomicznej w Łodzi. Poprzez szereg układów ruchowo–tanecznych tancerze „ożywiają” rzeźby.

Performance podczas wernisażu, pod opieką artystyczną dr Alexandra Azarkevitcha wykonują studenci III roku specjalności: Tancerz-choreograf, kierunku: Taniec na Wydziale Artystycznym Akademii Humanistyczno-Ekonomicznej w Łodzi: Natalia Kielan, Malwina Czyżewska, Sara Sobieraj, Katarzyna Więckowska, Damian Gilewski.

Kamienica przy ul. Piotrkowskiej 53

Eklektyczna kamienica powstała w 1885 roku według projektu Juliusza Adolfa Junga na zlecenie wywodzącego się z rodziny kupieckiej Hermana Konstadta. Ten urodzony w Sieradzu kupiec w latach 50 XIX wieku przeniósł się do Łodzi, gdzie wraz z innym kupcem Jakubem Dobranickim założył sklep handlowy na ul Nowomiejskiej. W roku 1883 ze spółki odchodzi Dobranicki.

Sam Konstadt w latach 80. XIX w. zaliczany był do najbogatszych mieszkańców Łodzi. Znaczną część swego majątku lokował w nieruchomościach. Jedną z inwestycji był zakup (za 40 tys. rubli) drewnianej parterowej posesji z wielkim pasem zieleni na tyłach budynku umiejscowionej na ul. Piotrkowskiej 53. Pas zieleni stał się wkrótce ogrodem, zaś od Piotrkowskiej postawiono kamienicę. Charakterystycznym elementem jest wykusz nad bramą, który dźwigają postacie dwóch mitycznych atlasów. Na wyższych kondygnacjach umieszczono kariatydy. W eklektycznej fasadzie odnaleźć można liczne motywy i detale zaczerpnięte z neorenesansu francuskiego. Dominującym akcentem jest tu ryzalit wspierany przez figury atlantów, zwieńczony cynkowanym hełmem. Samą kamienicę wieńczy charakterystyczny wysoki “francuski” dach z mansardami i żeliwną balustradką na kalenicy. Z powodu bogatej dekoracji kamienicę zwano niekiedy pałacem. Ma ona piękne owalne okna dachowe z ozdobami. To tutaj Herman Konstadt przeniósł z Nowomiejskiej siedzibę firmy, część pomieszczeń wy dzierżawiąc również różnym firmom i spółkom handlowym. Konstadt znany był z działalności filantropijnej, m.in. był współorganizatorem Ogólnołódzkiego Komitetu Wsparcia Biednych. W podarowanym przez Konstadta Gminie Żydowskiej, dwupiętrowym budynku (przy ul. Pomorskiej) powstał przytułek dla biednych, starców i kalek. Kolejną działaniem był komitet społeczny przy Łódzkim Oddziale Rosyjskiego Czerwonego Krzyża. Komitet sprawował opiekę ambulatoryjną nad robotnikami. Konstadt pomagał finansowo budowę szpitala (obecnie ul. Sterlinga). Kupiec przekazał znaczne sumy na budowę Wielkiej Synagogi oraz soboru św. Aleksandra Newskiego. Konstadt to jeden z założycieli Towarzystwa Kredytowego Miasta Łodzi oraz Banku Handlowego, Członek Rady Miejskiej, radny, honorowy kurator łódzkich szkół żydowskich. Konstadt był kawalerem orderu Świętej Anny i orderu Świętego Stanisława. Przed śmiercią u notariusza sporządził testament, w którym rozporządził swoim majątkiem. Zabezpieczył majątek w taki sposób, by stał się on funduszem wieczystym (Fundacja im. Hermana i Miny Konstadt), z którego dochody mają być przekazywane tylko na cele przez niego wskazane.

Herman Konstadt zmarł bezpotomnie w 1895 r. w wieku 70 lat. Spoczywa na Cmentarzu Żydowskim przy ul. Brackiej.

Magdalena Susdorf

An exhibition of Paintings by Lanre Olagoke

Second Private View: Thursday 25th of August 2011 – 6.00 pm to 11.00 pm

Exhibition runs from: Thursday 11th of August to Wednesday 31st of August 2011

Gallery Opening Hours: Mon – Friday: 11.00 am to 6.30 pm – Saturday: 12.30pm to 5pm

Last day of Exhibition: 11.00 am to 6.30 pm

Lanre Olagoke was born on the 18th of August 1962 in the United Kingdom. A painter over 30years, who founded Art-Alive Arts Trust in 1999 when he was homeless and at the brink of giving up everything. An encounter with an Irish man who had served twenty years in prison ignited the vision of Arts Alive. Lanre was told that his gift for painting needed to be shared in prisons. Lanre’s belief is “What keeps me is my art”. When he paints, he can express his emotions, feeling peaceful and at his most fulfilled. Lanre set about going into prisons and tutoring in-mates in art. According to Lanre, “I believe in second chances because I was given a second chance to get my life back on track. Otherwise, I would be in the same position as many of those I tutor”.

Outside of prison, Art –Alive Arts Trust provided a studio space for Lanre’s students to create their artwork and express themselves freely. Art Alive has helped more than 5,000 inmates and ex-offenders learn skills such as furniture design, painting and ceramics. The Trust hosted an art exhibition in 2008, titled Breaking Out, to showcase artwork by ex-offenders.

Cocaine, cannabis and gambling led Lanre Olagoke to go from being a promising student to being homeless in the United Kingdom. Lanre hit the drugs and drinks hard, and at one point was sleeping at his mother’s garage, squatting and washing in shower rooms of local swimming pools. “People, including my family, thought I was going crazy. I was taking a lot of drugs and gambling. The bills just got higher. It got to a point where I did not have a place to stay,” he recalled. “My experience in the last ten years has proven what I already believed”. To his family, being an artist was odd, how could he make it? Did that make him want to change his direction? “I never thought of giving up, that was my joy. Whenever I’m painting, I’m so happy, and anytime I’m going through pain, all I need is a brush and paint. I don’t get drunk or drink, I used to smoke weed and take cocaine but I’ve stopped all that. My greatest pride is when I’m creative. I love people and it brings greater joy when you are appreciated” he responds.

He also adds “Working in and out of prison is great, but could be daunting sometimes; however in-mates and ex-offenders have used art to reach their creative potential, build their confidence with extraordinary results” Now the question is what about the victims of crime? Lanre has started a project which also helps those who have been affected and been victims of Crime. He has had numerous successful exhibitions in the United States and also in Europe, mostly in London. He has worked in prisons across England showing inmates an alternative to crime through Art. He has worked in schools, communities, and with different organisations such as British Airways, The Place Theatre, St Martin’s In the Fields to name a few.. He has also lectured in colleges when invited to talk about his journey as an artist. In February 2006 Lanre was featured in the BBC INSIDE OUT Programme when he spoke about Art beyond Bars.

Lanre became a partner of Ruach Ministries in 1999, married and now with two beautiful daughters, where he later became the coordinator of the Outreach Ministries. They go out on every Tuesdays to feed the homeless and destitute and visit prisons all over the United Kingdom. Due to the magnitude of the work, Lanre had to employ other artists to accompany him. On one of such occasions at the 150th anniversary of HMP Wandsworth Prison, Princess Anne was there, he revealed. So, what do you tell those confined behind the bars of Her Majesty the Queen’s prisons?

Lanre and his wife Simone are the co-coordinators for the homeless team in Ruach Ministries, who feed over 100 people in Brixton every Tuesdays without fail. He supported the Anti-Firearms campaign 2005 (rally against gun crime) in Wind rush Square in Brixton, which was prompted by the brutal New Year’s Eve murder of Solomon Martin (24). Lanre has worked with the London Probation Service and also with the youth offending team to find ways in which crime can be reduced in our community. In 2010 Lanre managed one of the FTC (Foundation Training Centre) in Hackney to rehabilitate and see how vulnerable adults and those at risk of offending can get out of crime and find a sense of belonging. This has managed to save the Tax payers money and reduce re-offending rates like never before.

Lanre went with a team of 5 to Haiti in 2010 when it was hit by an earthquake. The devastation was beyond what you hear on the news or see. They managed to raise almost £30,000 which wasn’t for administration, but for food, clothing, tents and essential commodities. This year Lanre and his wife are also going back with 30 more volunteers who are professionals in October 2011. They have managed to raise almost £20,000 during the Mission Walk from Brixton to Kilburn. Last time they fed and clothed over 2000 Haitians. It was a life changing experience and they are looking to 5,000 Haitians on this trip in October

Certain percentage of proceeds from Lanre’s exhibitions/ paintings will go towards the Mission to Haiti when sold.

An exhibition featuring contemporary African Art by Seth Nii CLOTTEY & Issa ISSIFOU (Chris)

Private View: Friday 8th of July 2011 – 6.00 pm to 11.00 pm

Exhibition runs from: Friday 8th of July – Thursday 14th of July 2011

Gallery Opening Hours: Fri, Mon – Wed: 11.00 am to 6.30 pm – Sat: 12.30pm – 5.00 pm

Last day of Exhibition: Thursday 14th of July: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm

African Art Inspirations is pleased to introduce an exhibition of African Art showcasing the work of two highly talented contemporary African artists, Seth Nii Clottey (Ghana) and Issa Issifou (Togo). The one-week event brings together selected works by these painters.

The show emphasizes a growing trend of creative talents pushing from the African Continent through to the international art scene. The pieces depict the artists’ realities and their own take on everyday life in their respective communities. The compositions on display capture the vibrancy and richness of Africa showing tradition and spirit of this vast multi-ethnic community.

African Art Inspirations has a big passion for African Art and has been sourcing highly talented contemporary African artists and exposing their work to a wider audience via the Internet and selective exhibitions. In doing so the artists gain a well deserved coverage and visitors get to enjoy African Art at its finest.

This exhibition is a testament to this new revival of African Art, featuring beautiful works from this dynamic yet under-represented art community.

Seth Nii Clottey (1962) currently lives and works in Accra, Ghana. He graduated from the Ghanatta College of Art in Accra and has exhibited his work throughout Ghana, West Africa, UK, USA and Japan.

He draws on the nature, landscape and of people going about their daily lives. His work encompasses a wide range of subjects, from beachscapes through Market Scenes to City Scenes. A rare display of passion and commitment is evident within his works, which are in private and corporate collections across Ghana, UK, Europe and USA.

Issa Issifou (1977), artist name “Chris” has been painting since a young age. He has taken part in and has won numerous youth art competitions. After his A level and due to a lack of art related university degrees in his native country Togo, he travelled across West Africa to perfect his painting techniques.

Chris is inspired by his surroundings and his painting style can be described as figurative. The subjects of his works are African women doing their everyday tasks depicting everyday life and landscapes.

In his quest for beauty, Chris describes painting as an inner pleasure. He currently lives and works in Cotonou, Benin.

SETH NII CLOTTEY

Seth Nii Clottey is born in 1962 in Accra, Ghana where he currently lives and works. He graduated from the Ghanatta College of Art in Accra and has exhibited his work throughout Ghana, West Africa, UK, USA and Japan.

Seth draws on the nature, landscape and of people going about their daily lives. His work encompasses a wide range of subjects, from beachscapes through Market Scenes to City Scenes. A rare display of passion and commitment is evident throughout his works, which can be found in private and corporate collections across Ghana, UK, Europe and USA.

From the outset after his graduation, Seth displayed the attributes of a future made certain for a young artist. Unwilling to follow trend or settle for a safest option he express himself in his work challenging standards and boundaries, and holding high the leading torch of his generation on today’s art scene.

Solo Exhibitions:

2004 : Art Workshop and Restaurant – Accra, Ghana

2000 : Artists Alliance Art Gallery – Accra, Ghana

Group Exhibitions:

2001 : Golden Tulip Hotel

2000 : Mbitel Head Office

1997 : Panafest

1996 : Golden Tulip Hotel

1995 : Wangara Hotel

1994 : Golden Tulip Hotel

Selected Exhibitions:

2004 : Goethe Institute Acrra

Alliance Francaise School – Accra

Kofi Setorgis Art Haus

2002 : The Loom Gallery

Practising Artist International / National Theatre Gallery

1999 : Charity Show (PAWA) Pan African Writers Association

SOS Charity Show – Novotel Hotel – Accra, Ghana

1998 : SOS Charity Show – Novotel Hotel – Accra, Ghana

Collections:

Shell Ghana Limited Head Office – Accra

CAL Merchant Bank Ghana Limited Head Office – Accra

Ghana Commercial Bank Head Office – Accra

Ghana International Bank – London, UK

CHRIS:

Born in 1977 in Togo, Chris Issa Issifou has been painting since a young age. He has taken part in and has won the youth drawing competition organised by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in 1990 and 1991.

After passing his Baccalaureat Chris studied law due to a lack of art related university degree in his native country. In pursuit of his painting dream he embarked in a long learning journey across West Africa to perfect his painting techniques and he eventually dedicated his full time to painting.

Chris is inspired by his surrounding and his painting style can be described as figurative. The subjects of his works are African women doing their everyday tasks depicting everyday life and landscapes. In his quest for beauty, he describes painting as an inner pleasure. He currently lives and works in Cotonou, Benin.

Selected Exhibitions:

2011: Marseille International Modern Art Fair (SIAC) – Marseille, France

2010: Solo exhibition at the Marina Hotel – Cotonou, Benin

Waba 2010 Art Fair – Cotonou, Benin

2009 : Dak’Art Biennial of Contemporary African Art – Dakar, Senegal

2008 : Foire de Paris – France

Libr’Arts Art Fair – Belgium

Solo exhibition at the Palace of Congress of Paris – France

2007 : Solo exhibition at the French Consulate – Cotonou, Benin

Solo exhibition at the Art Village – Dakar, Senegal

Group exhibition by artists from Benin – Cotonou, Benin

Group workshop Atelier Miwonovi – Cotonou, Benin

2006 : Solo exhibition at the American Cultural Centre – Cotonou, Benin

International Art and Craft Fair Ouagadougou (SIAO)

2005 : Solo exhibition at the Marina Hotel – Cotonou, Benin

2004 : Solo exhibition at the Marina Hotel – Cotonou, Benin

2003 : Solo exhibition at the Marina Hotel – Cotonou, Benin

Solo exhibition at the Togo Bank for Trade and Industry – Lome, Togo

2001 : Residency Uncle College of Art – Ghana

2000 : Work for Couronne d’Or Gallery – Cotonou, Bénin

1999 : Residency at Atelier SACOBA – Ivory Coast

1991 : Laureate children drawing competition organised by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

1990 : Laureate children drawing competition organised by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

Works by Art Therapists belonging to the London Regional Group of their professional association, The British Association of Art Therapists (B.A.A.T)

Private View: Friday 1st of July 2011 – 6.00 pm to 11.00 pm

Exhibition runs from: Friday 1st of July – Thursday 7th of July 2011

Gallery Opening Hours: Fri – Weds: 11.00 am to 6.30 pm – Sat: 12.30pm – 5.00 pm

Last day of Exhibition: Thursday 7th of July: 11.00 am to 5.00 pm

In Art Therapy the image forms part of a triangular relationship consisting of the art therapist, the person in therapy , and the use that person makes of the art materials and the studio environment. Within this relationship is the potential for a range of verbal and non-verbal communication and interaction to evolve. Imagery and imagination therefore play a central role in Art Therapy.

For art therapists, exploring the potential of the image is a fascinating and never-ending process. While this exploration can take the form of academic or clinical research, it also happens just as importantly through each practitioner’s continuing development of their own creative interests and identity. Art therapists normally have a background as artists or designers and this experience very often helps to inform their practice as therapists.

All fifteen of the exhibitors are qualified art therapists, with varying amounts of experience in the field. Training and working as an art therapist generally impacts on an individual’s work to some degree, often profoundly. The work shown is therefore part of each individual’s personal involvement in exploring and developing their own creative interests and ideas, both as artists and therapists.

The show has been curated by the group.

Leoncia Flynn

My most recent work has been using film to explore and gather the images and sounds of social events, in this case a recent political march, as a way of capturing their atmosphere, their chaos and sense of community. Through the processes of reviewing and editing I’ve re-worked and developed shots to build upon, blend or overlay them to allow a kind of play which brings an unrestricted sense of movement that often does not conform to traditional film concepts of narrative or linear notions of time and the geographical routes that marches commonly have.

Vanessa Jones

As an artist I have lived and worked in the UK, Canada and North America for many years before moving to Nigeria where I worked within a large NGO for a further 3 years. I understand this period of continuous relocation as both personal and political. Interaction with different geographic, economic and cultural landscapes was fuel for my life and work. At that time “live art” was my primary practice.

Sometimes my work was conceived on a grand scale as in “This Land is My Land” were choirs of ordinary men, women and children sang as I looked out from the windows of a life size, purpose built, cardboard doll’s house cemented to the floor of a disused car factory in Buffalo, New York. Other works were made for an audience of one as in the “The Chair Piece” and “From Dark to Dust” (a performance uttered from within a disused crumbling chimney breast within an old city building in Newcastle Upon Tyne).

Gini Lawson

This new work is informed by my art therapy practice with dying people and by two recent, significant rituals… marriage and graduation. They have been inspired by the landscape of my life and the lives of others. These paintings, for me, are like stepping stones to the other side, an unknown world, the fertile void. They are connected to the past, present and future. They represent a consolidation of my creative journey thus far. I don’t paint to prove anything, but rather to show what I see and feel, and to describe my own unique reality. I hope that these paintings can enrich the viewer, just as they have enriched me in the process of making them

Hanako Chiba

These images are about memory, dreams and reminiscence. They were all produced using ‘old-fashioned’ photographic printing processes that themselves are fast becoming part of our history.

Rubbena Aurangzeb-Tariq

Rubbena Aurangzeb-Tariq is a British Asian artist born in Surrey and trained at Central Saint Martin’s and Goldsmiths. Her work explores the relationships between multiple personal identities, reflecting her experiences of living as a Deaf Asian woman in mainstream British society. Unheard Until Marriage is a new installation piece based around the ideas underpinning traditional Muslim wedding ceremonies, where three structures represent the process a girl goes through before emerging into newfound womanhood as a wife. The installation responds to the complicated way in which society views Asian weddings, as a celebration, rich with cultural strength but rigid in the role that the woman is expected to fulfil, passing from one family into another from a life as a daughter into a role as a wife.

With the installation, Rubbena Aurangzeb-Tariq is exhibiting new abstract paintings in oil.

See http://rubbena.blogspot.com for more information about the development about the project.

Jess Lammin

As an artist I am interested in colour, texture and layers and how they interact with one another. My work has been influenced by my training and subsequent work as an Art Therapist within a counselling and therapeutic service for young people in an inner city borough. Rather than offer insight into the sometimes personal background of my work I prefer the spectator to make their own interpretations and to view my work without any preconceptions, thus bringing a fresh eye and their own experience to the work.

I have always been inspired by other cultures and countries that I have visited and have continued to incorporate the images photographed during my travels of road side shrines and other places of worship in countries such as India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam. The interplay between the everyday object (coke cans, plastic flowers, incense) and the gold /silver reliefs with the more natural materials used for sculpture (such as stone and wood) that are so common at the roadside cafes and on the mountain passes is something that continues to fascinate.

Eve Johnson

Eve Johnson undertook a Psychology degree prior to completing her MA Art Psychotherapy with Roehampton University in 2009.

A keen artist with no formal training, Eve has worked abstractly for many years. During the years she spent studying for her Masters she began to explore faces, with an ‘up close and personal’ theme.

The paintings submitted to this exhibition were completed in 2008 during her time spent working as a trainee Art Psychotherapist in a Psychiatric Hospital. This is the first time Eve has exhibited. Aside from caring full time for her two year old twin boys, Eve Coordinates the Region 13 Membership for BAAT alongside Leoncia Flynn.

Lesley Fox

Painting, drawing, dancing or playing music, all help me to be in the moment, which is the essence of my work. As an Art Therapist it is vital to sharpen this faculty. I’ve always loved photography because it is so immediate -an image presents itself for a response, and it is done in a moment of heightened awareness. I’ve chosen to exhibit photographs which express my way of seeing my surroundings – aspects of living in South London as me.

Andy Ridley

This work is in part a response to my working in palliative care and cancer services.

It is also something to do with voluntary and involuntary expression and what we might lose and leave behind for others. The initial processes that made these surfaces have been forgotten. Some of the surfaces contain and hold those processes, others don’t. There is probably something morbid about the work, too – frozen moments, still bodies, dead labour. If only they could always move.

Moshe Teller

The history of our planet is indented in the rocks and buried in the soil.

We look for those marks and we unearth the evidence, a story begins to unfold in front of our own eyes: The story about us and how we came to be.

I am but a mere observer of those indented marks, signs, trying to create a narrative around them and expose them to the greater audience. I feel connected, I create. In doing so, I become a particle of this vast universe.

One day somebody will start digging and find a mark… It was mine.

Julia Shepherd

I use a variety of materials as well as photography to record observations of objects and moments from the world around me that ignite some meaning in me. I also like playing on the border between 2D and 3D using 3D materials such as beads and clay on a 2D surface such as paper and card. At times the images can become more like objects.

Nat Dive

Whilst working on this series my main focus was my recent transition from trainee to professional and the merging of myself as an artist and an art therapist. Creating a mixed media element by the use of basic and professional materials intends to combine these different aspects of myself. The loss of a part of oneself which allows for new development and growth to emerge links to life cycles, to the seasons of our lives. In these three images I have attempted to create some of the feelings that we are left with at these times in our life: the chaos that can surround the empty space of loss, the repair and coming together that can follow, and the full richness that can then develop.

Daniela Raimes

I display my work with some shyness, feeling uncomfortable with being an Artist and probably not comfortable with being an exhibiting Art Therapist either. I was flattered to be asked to contribute to this exhibition and reassured by exhibiting amongst fellow Art Therapists, who probably also share my anxiety with display and performance. My work is produced sporadically and in self session. I supply myself with some materials to work with and get on with it until I get fed up, or give up in frustration at my inability to translate what I think or feel at the time in to an equivalent or satisfactory representation. I make a big mess, using my fingers and anything that comes to hand in a very haphazard way. I don’t respect my material, because I don’t really understand the concept. For me it is a form of play therapy, I connect with the childlike, and I think this is reflected in the lack of actual skill involved and a certain silliness that appeals to my sense of humour or desire to play down the Artist thing or to avoid being pretentious. As an Art Therapist I try not to think in terms of good or bad at art, making it clear to each client that every mark has value and that their creative expression is just that, their creative expression. This invitation to free and none-judgemental creative expression is what I seek in my work, I am my client and this attitude helps me to work and to show you my work. For me the experience of exhibiting here has dredged up anxieties from my shadow self, has posed questions about the nature of performance, my attitude to money, my fear of judgement and much more. This exhibiting has played a part in my road to greater self awareness, my self therapy.

Dawn Kalu

I trained in textiles but out in the real world, as Teacher and Art Therapist, I turned my hand to whatever was instantly available, mostly papier-mâché and keeping sketch books. At the moment I am using paint and putting together flotsam and jetsam from photos, magazines, landscapes, dreams and bric à brac around the house – whatever is occurring. I mix styles and subject matter under a theme.

Red Gate Gallery, Fotosynthesis Community Projects & Positive Futures present

“Exploring Surroundings”

A group exhibition of photographic works by participants from Fotosynthesis Community Project

Private View: Saturday 25th of June 2011 – 6.00 pm to 11.00 pm

Exhibition runs from: Friday 24th of June – Thursday 30th of June 2011

Gallery Opening Hours: Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri: 11.00 am to 6.30 pm – Sat: 12.30pm – 5.00 pm

Last day of Exhibition: Thursday 30th of June: 10.00am to 5.00pm

“Exploring Surroundings” is a group show by participants of Fotosynthesis Community Project. The exhibition brings together the work of novice photographers, lone parents and young people from all over London and diverse ethnic backgrounds. All participants have, over the last few months, discovered their love of photography, whilst engaging deeper into the discipline.

Exploring Surroundings tries to push the limits of photography and showcases different ways of investigating the medium. Through their work, participants explore the language of photography, in studio as well as in the street, both digital and dark room, with a particular focus on alternative processes, such as camera-less cyanotype, photograms and pinhole made with recycling paper. This project is the result of a close collaboration between students and professional photographers, who encouraged them to think critically and responsibly about the images and their messages.

Fotosynthesis is a project that runs photography workshops for community groups that aim at keeping traditional photography alive. It is based at the Lilian Baylis Community Hub in Kennington, South London, where an abandoned darkroom and studio space has been refurbished. Fotosynthesis believes in the social utility of art and offers a supportive and inclusive environment where participants can develop their potential, build confidence and discuss ideas in a stimulating and participatory way. It is a space where everyone is welcome to explore their creativity, engage with a variety of people and use photography to fight against stereotypes.

An exhibition of recent paintings by artists Emel Michael & Emrah Kaleli

Private View: Friday 17th of June 2011 – 6.00 pm to 11.00 pm

Exhibition runs from: Friday 17th of June – Thursday 23rd of June 2011

Gallery Opening Hours: Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri: 11.00 am to 6.30 pm – Sat: 12.30pm – 5.00 pm

Last day of Exhibition: Thursday 23rd of June: 10.00am to 5.00pm

Emel Michael and Emrah Kaleli, two emerging artists practicing differing styles, bring together a Mish Mash of unusual works. Though originating from different cultural backgrounds, both artists tell their tales through the medium of painting, applying within their works mixed themes of colour, pattern and portraiture

Emel Michael: As a self taught fine artist, she finds her inspiration through colour; she sais about her practice: “I look upon a pallet of colour, I find my mood and then I’m off!” (Michael 2011)

Setting challenges, Emel endeavors to capture emotion and atmosphere bringing to life a small portion of the world. Working on portraiture as a focal project her aim is to bring to light many of her subjects invoking life through their expressions. Since the age of five she has always had a fascination for art, and hopes to enhance her skills by working for others, whilst striving to find further inspiration.

Emrah Kaleli: Kaleli is a self taught artist creating oil on canvas pieces. With major influences from the Turkish (Ottoman) and Japanese cultures, he creates unique works of fusing elements of both cultures.

From portraits to scenes of human nature, Emrah embarks on a discovery of our hidden desires.