Visual Music and Poetry: Felix Anaut

About

Zimmer Stewart Gallery are pleased to present an exhibition of paintings and ceramics by the renowned Spanish abstract expressionist, Felix Anaut.

For some years now Felix Anaut has been developing his own unique painting style he calls "Visual Music”, playing on the idea of synaesthesia between the art forms. This exhibition includes his latest series of works, and also some he has worked alongside the British Ethiopian poet, Lemn Sissay

Lemn Sissay met Felix Anaut in the summer of 2015. Felix Anaut invited Lemn Sissay to his studio in France, and despite working in different mediums, both artists found they had a common bond. They were able to jointly express their thoughts and in the process create new works that are greater than the sum of the parts.

During the exhibition visitors will be able to see a video presentation of Felix Anaut artworks with Lemn Sissay poems being read by Dame Diana Rigg. 

Alongside and in conjunction with the paintings, visitors will also see large scale ceramics by Felix Anaut. These and the associated editioned ceramic pieces have been made in collaboration with the Raimundo Abio in Spain.

Felix Anaut, born in Zaragoza, Spain, studied at the L’Ecole de Montparnasse d’Art et Dessin” in Paris in 1978-79, and has lived in Madrid, Tangier, Ibiza, England, Belfast. In 1986 he became a member of the Association of Irish Artists. He currently works between the South West of France & Ireland

In December 2003 Felix was awarded the “Career Recognition” award at the Florence Biennale 2003. in 2005 Felix Anaut was been listed by the Spanish national newspaper, El Mundo, in their annual year review as one of the most influential personalities in the Arts, 2005-2006.

He has exhibited widely since 1978 and has had many solo and group exhibitions in France, Ireland, Spain, Italy and the UK  (Contact the gallery for a full list).

Felix’s works are held in numerous private collections throughout Europe, The United States of America and Australia, and in several public Institutions including: The British Museum; Casoria Contemporary Art Museum, Naples; Ulster Museum; Instituto Cervantes (Bordeaux & Dublin); Musea de Isaba (Navarra – Spain).

Following his “London Symphony” exhibited in 2010, Felix Anaut showed his “Zaragoza Visual Symphony” an exhibition of large paintings accompanied by music written by Gonzalo Alonso specifically for this event, in Zaragoza in 24 May 2011. The piece includes an aria written by Felix Anaut and to be sung by the international soprano Marta Almajano.

Since 2012 Felix has exhibited works in the UK, Belgium, France, South Africa, Spain and most recently at Musee Marmande, France in October 2015 when Felix Anaut was the “Artiste d’Honneur” and in April 2016 at Galerie Egregore, Marmande, France.

For a full C.V. of Felix Anaut’s career, please contact us or www.anaut.eu

Lemn Sissay is a poet and has written plays for stage and BBC radio. He published his first book of poetry when he was just 21. His work has been featured in a variety of places including the Royal Academy and British Film Institute.

His sculpture poem Gilt of Cain was unveiled by Bishop Desmond Tutu and he is the first poet to write for the Olympics (in London).

He received an MBE for services to literature in 2010.

He is associate artist at the Southbank Centre, and an honorary Doctor of Letters (University of Huddersfield).

In October 2015 he was appointed Chancellor at the University of Manchester, and in the same month was invited on Desert Island Discs.

He was judge and host for the Creative Future Literary Awards for marginalised writers and was presenter of BBC's "Ten Pieces", described by Tony Hall, BBC Director General, as "the biggest commitment the BBC has ever made to music education in our country".  

Of the new works, Inspiration is a full poem by Lemn Sissay but some of the others (Scars, Dreams and Seeds) are sourced from his daily Tweets.

The Menier Gallery is an exciting and dramatic space to view and exhibit works of contemporary art and design. 

With its high walls and unusual layout it is perfect for viewing Felix Anaut's large paintings, with more intimate spaces in which to see the smaller works and ceramics.

The gallery is situated within the historic Menier Chocolate Factory, minutes from London Bridge, Borough Market and Tate Modern. The gallery is located at the heart of one of London's artistic hubs, and attracts many visitors, including art lovers, theatregoers, local residents and tourists.

The Menier Gallery is managed by the registered charity Paintings in Hospitals who be benefit from the hire of the exhibition space.