Exhibition title takes on special significance
2020 Vision is the title of the exhibition from a group of artists known as Octagon at Chichester’s Oxmarket Gallery from September 29 to October 4. The artists are Linda Nevill, Bea Veness, Jenny Smith, Maggie Bacon, Sue England, Amy Tattersall, Carolyn Mackwood and Sam Mccormack. They are based in Chichester, Hove and Emsworth.
Sue explains: “Octagon is a group of eight artists from the south coast who met while most were studying fine art at the University of Chichester. We have been a ‘show and tell’ group for some years, enjoying the enthusiasm and encouragement to be found with like-minded friends.
“Last year we had a very successful show at the Oxmarket, The Heart of the Matter, which encouraged us to exhibit again this year. When the group chose the theme 2020 Vision in 2019, none of us had an inkling of what lay ahead in 2020. We just thought it was a good title for a diverse show! At a time when we suddenly had more time on our hands to develop ideas, all of us have struggled with motivation. The uncertainties and fears seemed to stifle creativity.
But by meeting regularly and encouraging each other, we have, we think, come up with interesting and diverse work.
“Bea Veness referenced the current COVID testing measures, each week printing one positive and one negative image in modern, abstract prints. Also on show are wonderfully evocative oil paintings inspired by the sea, wide sands and big skies from Carolyn Mackwood. This is where she goes to walk, feel almost normal and be inspired to start painting again. Jenny Smith has found solace in her exquisite small oils of flowers, relaxing in the exotic beauty of nature. Nature was also a stimulus for Linda Nevill who researched the songbirds of Great Britain and created works depicting some of the most outstanding singers. Using inks and detailed graphite drawings Linda remembered us exclaiming that in lockdown we could all hear the birds.”
Maggie Bacon, from Hove, added: “My 2020 vision is in the form of mini sculptures of people, Men of Actimel and Women of Kefir. They are created with re-cycled materials and text from the news which highlights Coronavirus.”
Large atmospheric charcoal drawings from Amy Tattersall relate to her journeys to a deserted London. Travelling bubble to bubble, she watched the capital gradually coming to life through the lens of her car window.
Sam Mccormack has produced felted semi-abstract images. In the making, the layers of fibres shrink with friction, and one of the joys of this medium is the unpredictability of its outcome, she says.
Influenced by her immediate surroundings, Sue England has worked on small paintings themed as Close to Home and made artists books and sketchbooks using her own prints and papers.
Sue said: “Although never intended to be an exhibition about the pandemic, by necessity we have all been influenced by it and hope this exhibition will have a wide appeal and be joyful and uplifting.”