Tag: Horsfall

Your Truth is not My Truth: Pool Arts respond to the Life and work of William Blake

Some of the work from our Blake exhibition October 2019

 

 

Preview Thursday 3rd October  5-9pm All Welcome

Exhibition Dates:

3rd – 12th October 2019 (Weds/Thurs/Fri/Sat) 2-6pm

Workshop: Make your own lino print date:

Thursday 10th October 4:30-6:30pm (please contact to book, places limited)

The Horsfall, 87 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester, M4 5AG

 

The poet and artist William Blake (1757-1827) lived his life in poverty and received very little recognition during his own lifetime. He was considered at best an eccentric and at worst a madman by the critics of the time. However, a few dedicated followers preserved much his prolific work and he is now considered one of the most important British artists of all time, influencing art, literature and music from the Pre-Raphaelites to Patti Smith. 

For this exhibition at Horsfall, Pool Arts researched the life, work and influence of William Blake and wondered what relevance he might have to our own experiences. Certainly we live in a time of political change and upheaval. Blake saw visions throughout his life that influenced his art but he was also an Enlightenment radical who contemplated the American and French revolutions; questioned religions and challenged dominant ideologies that he felt stifled imagination and the human spirit.

In this exhibition, our artists have looked at Blake’s biography, his art and poetry and from there created new work. What is Truth? Blake searched for a spiritual truth and found it rooted in imagination. Then as now, the fight between different Truths shaped the world. The exhibition features thoughtful responses from the Pool Arts artists, including; Alan S’s large scale painted installations, Paul Richards’ sensitive works of visionary mythologies and Roger Howard’s work exploring current political concerns. Becky Mary’s print “Quotation” perhaps sums up how difficult it has been to really understand the work of William Blake, deciphering a history through second and thirdhand research, viewing one of the Fathers of the modern age in art, from the perspective of a Post-Truth age.

Contributing Artists include: Another Adele, Akinyemi Oludele, Annette Ebanks

Becky Mary, Alison Kershaw, Alan S, Simon Mawdsley, I. Baron, Lee Hadfield, David Speers, Ruqia Artiste, Roger Howard, Eddie Price, Tess Lomas. 

 

11th September 2019By Alison KershawIn Alan S, Archive, Blog, NewsComments Off on Your Truth is not My Truth: Pool Arts respond to the Life and work of William Blake

R H Y T H M: the work of Akinyemi Oludele – opening sensation

Akinyemi Oludeles exhibition opening at Horsfall in Manchester was a great success last night. We are all buzzing about the great atmosphere. With live Jazz, three floors filled with the audience of his followers and supporters plus those who wandered in from the bustling Great Ancoats Street stream of traffic to see what all the excitement was about. Those who came were treated to an historic live drawing performance by the artist, which illustrated just how he is inspired by the music. In fact more than inspiration; Akinyemi is truly in collaboration with the musicians – a part of the band, creating a visual trace of the moment, responding and even guiding the music. He sang, rapped and moved in and out of the beats and tunes. Absolutely electrifying. We need to be seeing much more of Akinyemi Oludele. People came from far and wide, those who have known the artists from his presence and involvement in live music nights in Manchester over the years – and there was a lot of love in the room for his achievement with his first solo show. A more diverse audience you couldn’t wish to meet – of all ages and backgrounds. Thanks again to Horsfall for hosting us.

E X H I B I T I O N continues Thurs – Sat 2-6pm until closing event 2-6 on Saturday 22nd September. Don’t Miss!

 


13th September 2018By Alison KershawIn Archive, Blog, NewsComments Off on R H Y T H M: the work of Akinyemi Oludele – opening sensation

Join in with our crowd fund! Akinyemi Oludele’s first solo show

27th August 2018By Alison KershawIn Blog, News, UncategorisedComments Off on Join in with our crowd fund! Akinyemi Oludele’s first solo show

Exhibition at The Horsfall opens Wednesday 12th September

Continuing The Horsfall’s exhibition partnership with Pool Arts, we present the work of Manchester based artist, Akinyemi Oludele in his first solo exhibition.

Perhaps Manchester’s best known artist whose name you haven’t yet heard, this is a rare chance to experience his extraordinary abstract and documentary work from the last 10 years.

Oludele is a familiar figure on Manchester’s arts and music scene and if there is a gallery event, jazz concert or a poetry reading, Oludele can often be seen mingling in the crowd with sketchbooks in hand, capturing the event in his own inimitable style. He is also a prolific sharer or work on social media based; delivering political satire just as succinctly as capturing the atmosphere of a jazz concert.

Encompassing his vibrant and expressive abstract painting, drawings and digital work, the exhibition is a window into the movement and rhythm of Manchester. Oludele’s work expresses a world where art and human interaction are intertwined and where music is vital to life.  

Curated by Pool Arts Artists Alison Kershaw and Lisa Risbec, the exhibition is presented over three floors with rhythm as the central theme; whether the captured movement of a live sketch or the marks made in an abstract piece. Visitors will be led through abstract paintings, live dance and music drawings and digital art posters by a soundtrack of the very music that inspired Oludele’s work.

“Drawing is about developing a relationship between myself and other people – connecting through the medium of art. I realised there was so much division, racial and in other ways around the city and drawing helped to break down some of the barriers, helped me to relate more and to feel safer. Later, drawing at live music performances, I began to use the rhythm of music to guide the mark making process, for me, art is about feelings, expression and connection” Akinyemi Oludele

Oludele’s work will be for sale at the exhibition. See www.onashileart.gallery

 

16th August 2018By Alison KershawIn Archive, Blog, NewsComments Off on Exhibition at The Horsfall opens Wednesday 12th September

Art & Reflections of a Retired Trained Killer : Alan S @ Horsfall, Manchester

We are delighted to announce a new exhibition by artist Alan S,

Press Release

Preview Thursday 7th June 6-9pm

Exhibition Fri 8th – Weds 13th June 2-6pm (closed Sunday)

The Horsfall, 87 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester, M4 5AG

 

With titles such as I would not have passed the anti-doping test or Shot at Dawn, Alan S. presents installations that speak of his life as a Guardsman in the Grenadier Guards and his experiences of homelessness.

Alan S began making his expansive installations, intricate dot paintings and poetry whilst he was homeless and has continued to develop work over the last eight years. He intuitively combines collections of discarded, found materials often discovered around the city in skips, bins and charity shops, together with paint and words; conveying his own experience, memories and personal histories.

This exhibition stems from the 100 year anniversary of the First World War and explores the personal histories of Manchester based artist Alan S. It features two floors of large scale installation works using found objects and explores the line between humour and seriousness.

With titles such as ‘I would not have passed the anti-doping test’ or ‘Shot at Dawn’, the installations explore his life as a Guardsman in the Grenadier Guards, his experiences of homelessness and his views on topical issues. This work is juxtaposed with painstakingly intricate dotwork pieces, each one taking over 50 hours to complete; a practice which the artist developed using accessible materials as a way to switch off and relax.

Alan S began making expansive installations, intricate dot paintings and poetry whilst he was homeless and has continued to develop work over the last eight years. He intuitively combines collections of discarded, found materials , often discovered around the city in skips, bins and charity shops on his daily explorations through back streets and alleyways. He combines these with paint and words; conveying his own experiences and memories.

In Alan’s words, “The work is ⅓ life experiences, ⅓ army, ⅓ fun of it. I like finding stuff, I don’t have a clue what I will turn it into. I like thinking about topical issues and turning the pieces I find into something new. I was in the 2nd Battalion of the Grenadier guards, making the work is my way of remembering the lives lost, doing it a bit differently than the ‘official’ way.”

Alan S’ exhibition is part of a wider partnership between The Horsfall and Pool Arts to showcase work which has been informed by the mental health of the artist or takes mental health and wellbeing as its central theme.

Media enquiries:

Julie McCarthy, Creative Producer (The Horsfall @ 42nd Street)  @TheHorsfall

About Alan S

Alan S has spent over 10 years living and making work in manchester, from intricate dotwork pieces to large scale installations based on his personal experience as a Guardsman in the Grenadier Guards and his experiences of homelessness. His work covers serious topics but always conveys a sense of humour and fun.

Initially creating work to ‘switch off’ and relax, he became a member of Pool arts 9 years ago and began exploring the larger scale, installation work whilst being a studio member of Hope Mill, continuing his practice at their studio in Ardwick.

“I am Interested in showing how accessible it is to make art and only use affordable materials. I find more joy in finding stuff in a skip than buying it.”

 About Pool Arts

This exhibition is in association with Pool Arts; an artist led organisation which challenges the barriers that some artists face and aims to provide studio space, support, training, professional and personal development opportunities.  

They are working to create a supportive framework, giving their members opportunities to produce, promote and sell their own artwork, as well as raising awareness of the positive role that art and culture can play in the wellbeing of the community. Pool Arts now has studio space in Ardwick and welcomes new members. Please contact for further information.

About 42nd Street and The Horsfall

42nd Street is a Greater Manchester mental health charity committed to supporting young people aged 11-25 years with their emotional well-being and mental health, promoting choice and creativity. With an excellent 35 year reputation, our unique holistic service model combines therapeutic psychological interventions with advocacy and social care. We reach 2000 young people each year via individual therapeutic support, projects and activities, leadership, peer research and a creative programme. The Horsfall is 42nd Street’s creative venue and programme dedicated to improving young people’s mental health and wellbeing. Projects, workshops and events sees artists from across all artforms co-creating work with young people to interrogate their own stories and to imagine new futures.

www.thehorsfall.org.uk

21st May 2018By Alison KershawIn Alan S, ArchiveComments Off on Art & Reflections of a Retired Trained Killer : Alan S @ Horsfall, Manchester