Friday September 16, early evening was the opening of the eclectic exhibition at Marcus Crane's gallery. Each artist brought something different to their paintings. The Mccully & Crane gallery, 27a Cinque Ports Street always manages to exhibit the unexpected.
One of the picture collections was "Portraits by JumpstART". It is work by artists who have taken part in Suffok Artlink's JumpstART studio project. These exciting new projects offer people with learning disabilities the opportunity to develop their skills as artists in a supported studio space, using pastels, charcoal acrylic, watercolours and gouache paint.
Hayley Field works part-time in the public arts sector and has worked in the past with JumpstART as well as with mental health service users and children.
She says: "My paintings hover between specificity and openness. They represent intense, personal responses to observations, memories or events.
Rostislav Romanoff says of her images: "I see my art as a journey, also to help me conquer my fears . . . This body of work [in the gallery] shows where I am in my life as a person."
Jacqueline Utley lives and works in London. She likes making small paintings that examine domestic interior spaces. She has shown her work in Berlin, London and Newcastle upon Tyne. (See main picture)
This was the serious part of the evening, after which many of us at the gallery moved on to the Queen's Head to be entertained by Timberlina, the Eco environmentalist, as he presents himself. Held in the back room of the pub it was an intimate atmosphere as everyone squeezed in. The picture tells of Timberlina's love for exquisite clothing, especially shoes.
He has joined a knitting group of all ages which was represented here. They looked as if they had a fun time.
Tim's songs were appropriate to the demise of our environment but also very funny. It felt that the audience was totally engaged. This gig came about because the Rye Arts Festival asked Timberlina to be a Fringe act prior to its opening of the Festival Saturday 17. A wonderful evening was had by all.
Photos: Heidi Foster
