Hidden Realities

About

Hidden Realities showcases a new collection of artworks by five international emerging artists from U.K., Brussels, Spain, Bulgaria & South Africa. These original, unique one-off works convey an abstract, fractured sense of reality where clarity is neither present, nor required as the artists happily 'live their moments' through art-making.

Expressionist characteristics of strong colours, abstraction/distortion and individual experiences, exploring emotions, identity, character and narrative through portraiture and abstract works feature heavily. The provocation of happy accidents reveals desirable textures. For these 5 artists, 'to create is to breathe'.

Come and socialise, enjoy art, nibbles and music over a glass or two:)

Joss Rossiter

Joss was born in South Africa and spent 38 years there before moving to the UK. She turned to art at the age of 58. She creates mixed media art using different textures and techniques including pastels, acrylics, gouache, inks, food colouring and scratching.

Her art is heavily influenced by her life in South Africa, and she believes that there is joy and an intensity of love and passion amongst people even in the most difficult of economic situations. She has just been awarded the Mall Galleries Pastel Society Catalogue Award – First Prize, For Joss 'Art is such fun and brings me such joy. If this ever stops, then so will I”

Liesbeth Willaert

Liesbeth is a Belgian artist who fell in love with Barcelona after moving there in 2015. After her Belgian Masters Degree she started a Master in Digital Photography at the U.A.B. She went on long-term travels in Asia, Indonesia, Brazil. Her paintings are characterised by a strong and abundant colour palette and composition.

Her technique is mixed media on canvas. Starting with the foundational layers of acrylic paint and pastel, materials such as tissue, paper, dried coffee, sand, fine stone, and metal are gradually added in later stages to provide structure and strengthen the composition. Painting for a week in the studio of artist Jenny Verplancke (in 2005) definitely marked her style. It was during that particular creative “residency” that Liesbeth found her own painting voice and the Mediterranean life is a nonstop source of inspiration, especially the light, ever-changing colours of the sea and structure of the water.

Stéphanie Maillart

Stéphanie is an Antwerp-based artist, born in Brussels, where she studied Interior Architecture in St-Luc. Her working process is always triggered by a feeling of sudden dizziness. Inspiring vibes are on, it is now the perfect moment to express her vision. Time doesn't exist anymore. Magic happens. She uses acrylic paint and collages, scratches and rubs the multiple layers, provocating happy accidents to reveal desirable textures.

Milena Zdravkova

Milena studied at the National School of Applied Arts in Sofia, Bulgaria and attended the National Academy of Arts, where she received an MA degree in Textile Art. Through her academic pursuit, she had the chance to study tapestry design and weaving, fabric design along with screen printing, yarn and fabric dyeing, oil painting, drawing, history of art.

She is most fulfilled while painting in her studio, where she uses acrylics, aquarelle and pencils. Her personal experiences and inspirations are transformed into decorative abstract paintings or textile creations. She believes creativity is a life-long process, in which exploration never ceases, and the artist is always guided by imagination and pursuit of perfection. Milena lives and works in the UK.

Brad Kenny

Born in Epsom, Surrey, UK is an International contemporary artist, Brad studied and achieved an MA Degree in Fine Art from the University of Chichester.

Inspired by artists, such as Jenny Saville, Frances Bacon, Andrew Salgado and Lucien Freud. A dyslexic artist, Brad sees painting as a language, that it's not easily written or expressed; it is a way of communication and interoperation. Brad's has works in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Switzerland, Germany, Spain and Russia.

Brad's style, technique and subjects continues to develop; the abstract element of his paintings, allows him a form of expression which focuses on the human condition for the contemporary age.

There will also be a collection of complementary contemporary accessories on show. Art on show from 1st Aug.