Visiting Al Greenall

My favourite part of the art gallery life is visiting artists' studios. It is a great privilege to to be invited into a personal space where someone reveals the results of work that has demanded so much time, thought, and emotion. I am often met with an artist's sense of pride, expectation and sometimes vulnerability.

A recent visit to Al Greenall's Bristol studio was a particular highlight. Having previously visited Al's Bath based studio, I was delighted to offer him a show in October. For the past few months Al has been working on creating his 'Patron' collection of paintings especially for the show and I paid a visit to get a preview of the work soon after it was finished.

As I entered the studio, I was immediately struck by the colour and shape that attacked my senses. I didn't speak for a moment while I dealt with the overload and then tried to justify my startled reaction to Al. I likened the sensation to filling your mouth with the explosive space sweets that make your taste buds dance. We then started to look at, and discuss, the paintings one by one.

The inspirational sources of Al's paintings are many; he absorbs the architecture and landscape of his environment over time and when he is 'full up' he releases his creativity at an astonishing pace. The colours are vibrant and the palette extensive. The shapes are strong and assertive and applied with a sense of abandonment. The style can appear abstract but offers an endless source of imagery in its depth. The complexity of construction provides multiple 'blank canvases' to create your own pictures.

Al's work often stimulates a musical analogy in me when I describe it. My first response is to hear a loud noise which demands attention. I then listen to the overall sound. It's not a catchy pop song but a more complex orchestral piece with layers of instruments working in harmony, with an edge of jazzy improvisation. The collection offers an album of tracks that grow with you the more attention you invest.

Impossible to ignore, and maybe just as difficult to love, but once you build a relationship with this work, you will want more!

Al Greenall's Patron collection can be seen at View Art Gallery from October 1st to November 15th, as part of the Morphogenesis exhibition.

Morphogenesis Press Release

Morphogenesis

1^st October - 15^th November 2009

View's Morphogenesis exhibition explores the creation of shape.

Fred Swist, Al Greenall, Julian Abrams, and Julian Cox ARBS, study this common theme from very different inspirational origins.

Swist’s digital imagery engages the relationship between art and science, resulting in both aesthetic and technical appeal. Greenall extracts physical and emotional pictures from geographical locations and their experience is shared through multi media paintings. Abram investigates and captures patterns of light through photography and creates the impression of gyroscopic movement in his images. Cox interprets the lines and curves of the female form in his minimalist, elegant ink painting and sculpture.

Rose Popay brings an additional dimension to this eclectic mix of styles and media in her video installations, using her ability to morph into a collection of stimulating characters.

We shall also be dedicating part of the show to an exciting range of prints by local artists, who range from established to first time exhibitors.

About View

View is a contemporary art gallery, situated in Bristol’s Harbourside. We’re here to champion new art and artists, and bring a refreshingly informal approach to viewing and buying art.

The space offers 5 zones over 2 floors, with room for innovative conceptual art alongside traditional styles and media. An active events programme and frequently changing exhibitions keeps the art fresh for new and regular visitors.

Show us your prints!

As part of our next show in October we will be dedicating a large space to prints. This is partly to provide another price dimension for our customers, to compliment the show's original art, and also for when we take part in the West Bristol Art Trail.

So, artists, if you would like to be considered for this space in our October show please do the following:

1. Register as an artist on our website.

2. Send us images of 2 prints, with dimensions and the price you would like to receive (we'll add the commission), by email to sarah@viewartgallery.co.uk.

If your work is selected it will either be exhibited on the gallery wall (if framed), or in a print rack. We will start looking at the submissions this week and give you feedback within a few days.

We look forward to seeing some new and different prints.

SUPERNATURE

The second of our Summer shows is almost ready to go and promises to be an original and innovative collection of work. The show involves 11 artists who have been brought together by artist and curator Jesse Leroy Smith (who is exhibiting in both of our Summer shows). SuperNature is being shown at View as its first venue before being taken on an international tour next year. Have a look at images of some of work.

The common theme is the landscape, but the interpretations are extreme, as are the media used. Exploring new techniques with traditional media and introducing new media is a passion of ours at View and so we are delighted to show a group of artists with such diversity. Photography techniques include pinhole, Polaroid and digital, colour is presented with oils, ink and biro, and installations involve a wide mix of media.

Inviting a variety of emotional responses is something we are also enthused about at View. With SuperNature we aim to create a range of reactions from calm and serenity to wonder and intrigue and maybe admiration of technical excellence. As ever, we hope there is something for everyone.

The artists connection is through Jesse and his Revolver movement - a collection of artists who have a Cornish influence, either by birth, residency, or a love of the physical and social environment. The full list of artists is available here. You can meet the artists at our Private View on August 13th, so if you're not yet on our mailing list, register now to receive an invitation.

The show runs from August 12th to September 27th. We look forward to seeing you there.

Urban Art Success

Just finalised the numbers from the Urban Art Show in conjunction with UPFEST09. The great news is that we managed to contribute thousands of pounds to the NACOA charity, through the Private View, the Show, and the Auction.

Another very positive aspect of the show is that we received a whole new set of visitors to the gallery. We are passionate about creating a friendly and welcoming environment for all types of visitors who can see and buy a broad range of contemporary art in a comfortable environment. The feedback from the show is that we are achieving this and it makes us very happy that we are delivering on one of our key aims. Art sold for between £85 and £4,000, satisfying both the casual buyer and the serious collector.

As I regularly pass the Bristol City Museum it's great to see the queues getting even longer to see the Banksy show. So many new people are being introduced to art and Bristol, which can only be good for all art venues in the city.

As far as Urban Art is concerned, it remains a very lively movement and popular medium. I look forward to adding urban artists to the range of contemporary styles at View, as well as taking part in next year's UPFEST. 

Summer Show 2 - Preview

We have selected the artists and are now finalising the work for our second Summer Show, which starts mid August. The theme is going to be related to landscapes, all with a Cornish influence - either through the artist or the work.

But it would be very misleading to imply these are some picture postcard style paintings of the cornish coast. Take a look at a selection of images from some of the artists, to get a taste of what's to come.

New Summer Show

Our new Summer Show starts next week and we have an exciting blend of new and established artists. The work being exhibited will be a mix of media and styles that is sure to capture the imagination of new and regular viewers. The list of artists are:

Jesse Leroy Smith - Paintings

Richard Southall - Sculpture and installation

Catherine Knight - Paintings

Simon Ledson - Paintings

Nici Ruggiero - Ceramics

Jessica Slater - Paintings

A selection of photos can be seen here. More images of the work on show and a profile of the artists will be on our website next week.

If you would like to receive an invitation to the private view next Friday (3rd July) then ensure you are signed up to our database and an email invitation will be sent soon.