East Midlands Finest

About

This month Surface Gallery is proudly showcasing its very 1st annual East Midlands show. The exhibition consists of a diverse range of media; including painting, photography and sculpture to film and installation, featuring a selection of recent graduates talent scouted by our volunteers from the following local universities: Loughborough, De Montfort, Derby and Nottingham Trent. Some of whom have already been selected for national awards, such as the BP Portrait Award 2008. The exhibition offers the chance to explore and observe the array of talent produced by new and upcoming artists of today. Some artists have had the chance to create and install an individual piece for the show, allowing the opportunity for the artist to stretch their creativity and offer something unique to the gallery and its visitors. The broad and dynamic range of art that has been produced within the East Midlands addresses the fundamental processes of contemporary expression. Abi Benford shall be creating an exclusive wall and floor installation that shall explore and present a new concept of abstract geometric painting and the relationship of colour through a range of mediums and strict processes. Neil Dixon is also making a piece for the show; his work is captured by abstract forms based on grids which begin to question the tension between the illusion of space and the diagrammatic and propositional qualities the work ultimately portrays. Benjamin Cohen captures paint and the human figure with an exquisite energy, brought to life through the expression and emotion of paint alone. The relationship between these components derives a composition that carries the sitter's character to life and beholds a strong spell upon the viewer. Alex Mazzitelli uses second-hand objects to create humorous sculptures depicting a function of some sort. These provoking pieces of ‘junk' are built to life-size, performing a presence as they would in everyday life. Featured artists include: Abi Benford, Benjamin Cohen, Charlotte Ratcliff, Jessica Harries-Wood, Joanna John, Andrew Martyn Sugars, Neil Dixon, Bobby Goulding, Sarah Roberts and Alex Mazzitelli.