Jemma Appleby, Affordable Art Fair
The recent graduate showcase at the Affordable Art Fair, curated by artist Jessica Hall, was a great success. The exhibition of selected graduate work was chosen with ‘a unifying thread of a high level of technical skill and a balance of concept and craftsmanship’.
Jessica told ARTS THREAD, “We had a particularly strong response to figurative work this year and I thought it was interesting that two of our artists who worked with drawing either sold all, or almost all their work”. She has been approached by several galleries who are interesting in taking on some of the artists. She also said, “The most important measure of success for me as the curator is how many of the artists have also said how much they appreciated being part of the show, with the chance to show to 25,000 people.”
The charcoal drawings by Jemma Appleby were a magnet for many drawn to their haunting, dreamlike quality. Landscapes are encapsulated and distorted in imaginary ‘bubbles’. Jemma began with studies of geometric forms which became architectural volumes, leading to a study of the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. This work was then fused with her photographic studies of forest environments and manipulated on a computer, before being transformed back to a paper and charcoal drawing. The results are dramatic, beautiful and intriguing. Jemma surely has a very successful career ahead of her; recently winning the Haworth Trust Award for Painting.
Maria Ferrero Barrero Ademi, Affordable Art Fair
Brazilian born artist, Maria Ferrero Barrero Ademi graduated with an MFA from Slade School of Art in 2008. Her beautiful, meticulous paper sculptures have an wonderful, ethereal quality. Pure, crisp white paper was used create a pretty, ‘frozen garden’ at the show entitled, ‘Paradise is the Natural State of Man’. Maria explores the notion of paradise – looking at the experiences of early European settlers to the Americas, who thought they had arrived in an exotic paradise, and contrasting this with her personal belief that paradise is to be found in a mental rather than a physical place.
Greg Eason’s minute and meticulous pencil studies quietly draw the viewer in. This intimate scrutiny is an intentional aspect of the artist’s work. Greg’s intricate and intense drawing is often offset by a large expanse of white space, which creates a dramatic effect. Inspired by the hugely detailed work of artist Paul Noble, Greg is also looking at the consequences of humanity’s apparent detachment from nature.
Greg Eason; Andrew Salgado, Affordable Art Fair
Canadian born Andrew Salgado (MFA, Chelsea School of Art), showed some large scale expressive paintings that were striking and impressive. His work usually depicts “a brutalist view of the male body in physical pain, emotional turmoil, transcendence or transformation, but always in a heightened, melodramatic state”. Andrew’s current work is concerned with exploring notions of youth, beauty, sexuality and violence, while challenging classical themes.
For further information on the artists contact Jessica Hall
jessica@affordableartfair.com
Affordable Art Fair
