Oxfordshire Artweeks opens on May 2, and there’ll be hundreds of open studios and pop-up exhibitions in every corner of the county – wherever you see the bright yellow and blue flags waving.
Yes, there are fabulous paintings of local views, stylish sculpture, pottery, photography, and lots more besides, as well as an on-line Spring Show which offers a tantalizing glimpse of the talent, extent and variety of art by the county’s artists and makers. Check it out here: www.artweeks.org/latestshow
But there’s also a quirky side to the festival this year, and as the first week focuses on South Oxfordshire and the Vale of the White Horse we will start there, as well as offer some ideas for later in the festival.
Ayres House Studios in Wallingford, an old rectory building in which there are 14 artist studios ranged over three floors, where visitors will find a remarkable diversity of techniques, materials and creative voices. Look out for intricately-folded paper works by Amy Hughes created from repurposed Waitrose magazines
Plus layered cardboard pets and portraiture by Aneta Pochatko, sustainable black rubber jewellery with a twist by art conservator Aniko Dioszegi. Artweeks Venue 68. https://www.artweeks.org/v/ayres-house-studios/
On Watlington High Street, a hive of Artweeks activity, portrait artist Harriet Riddell works with free-motion embroidery, stitching you as you stand in a single line of thread with surprising accuracy. https://www.artweeks.org/v/harriet-riddell/ Artweeks venue 141
Jewellery inspired by archaeology in the National Trust Heritage & Rural Skills Centre in the NT village of Coleshill alongside a new ‘Coleshill Collection’, inspired by the story of the Estate’s lost grand house. And here too you’ll find other art and design including sheet metal sculpture by Artweeks first-timer Andy Bunyan W and leather and wood bellows handcrafted by Anne Mills.
https://www.artweeks.org/v/heritage-crafts-coleshill/
For something whimsical for your wall, head to the Tap Room of Oxford Brewery, Horspath for The History of Art told by Toothbrushes – from Van Gogh’s sunflowers influenced by the tooth mug in your bathroom to The Girl with a Pearly White Earring, by Claire Parker. www.artweeks.org/v/claire-parker venue 169
In the nearby Methodist Church artist Jules Bishops works with natural materials at the intersection of art, science, and ecology, transforming the Oxfordshire landscape into living inks and pigments. https://www.artweeks.org/p/jules-bishop/ venue 126
Alongside landscape photography and a series of Oxford reimagined, in Abingdon’s gorgeous Thames-side St Ethelwold’s House, Merrill Jacobs presents PetFlicks where dogs get ‘Indiana Jones’ or show themselves as celestial superstars.
https://www.artweeks.org/v/merrill-jacobs/ Venue 28
If you’re a cat lover rather than a dog fan, but still fancy a bit of fun, then in Ruth Harris’ home studio in Harwell, you’ll find cat imposters in William Morris’ ‘The Strawberry Thief’ and cat versions of the United Kingdom’s national flowers influenced by Cicely Mary Barker’s Flower Fairies. https://www.artweeks.org/v/ruth-harris/ Venue 41 image 17
And you’ll find rocking Horses by wood carver Michael Wrottesley in North Moreton Church where he’s exhibiting with an artist collective – and look out for the church’s beautiful newly-restored stained glass window. https://www.artweeks.org/v/north-moreton-artists/ Artweeks venue 61
North & West Oxon (9-17 May)
In Banbury Jeremy Wilton is inviting visitors into his workshop in which he will be demonstrating the magical Victorian processes of tintype and ambrotype photography. Artweeks venue 245 https://www.artweeks.org/v/jeremy-wilton/ image 23
In Bampton, you’ll find a celebration of ten years of Downton Abbey by painter Pip Shuckburgh and sculpture by Barbara Hepworth’s granddaughter, Tuula Nicholson, maker Marjolein Trewavas is presenting a collection of textile animals made with Victorian and vintage fabrics, presented on interesting antique items items. https://www.artweeks.org/v/marjolein-trewavas-woa/ venue 177
Oxford, week 3 (16-25 May)
In Jericho, look up Roger Nathan’s Optical illusion tables inspired by mathematical equations. A New Zealander who has worked as a scientist, he’s inspired by Escher and the patterns in nature. The beautiful smooth shapes, ovals, curves and spirals of his sleek marquetry are derived from simple mathematical functions – converting Fibonacci’s sequence and chaos theory into something to treasure. https://www.artweeks.org/v/roger-nathan-2/ Venue 393
Oxfordshire Artweeks runs from May 2-25. For more info go to https://www.artweeks.org
