Wealth managers might not be an artist’s first port of call in terms of exhibiting their work, but Wise Investment is delighted to be hosting nine Oxfordshire Artweeks artists in their converted historic barns near Chipping Norton, for the first time.
The art on display includes paintings, photography, glasswork, ceramics, silver jewellery with seaglass and stone; printmaking, felt work, and even some unusual hand-crafted hats.
Their endeavours will be further enhanced by the work of local GCSE and A level art students at Chipping Norton School.
“We are really looking forward to, and are very excited about, hosting an Artweeks exhibition from our office for the first time,” CEO Alexandra Rae says.
“We like to support local art and culture and our office is a lovely converted barn which lends itself well to the artists showcasing all their amazing work.
“We are looking forward to hopefully welcoming lots of visitors and if all goes well we hope to do this again next year.”
Artists to look out for include ceramicist Vivien Sieber who uses a pale organic palette with hints of blue, green, pink and purple for her bowls and vases, and Debbie Page whose trademark spherical vessels are inspired by the moon and an ancient Eastern past.
The exhibition also includes eco printed wall-hangings, clothes and homewares by textile and mixed media artist Caroline Nixon who captures the beauty of nature using the natural pigments and imprints of leaves in a process known as eco-printing or botanical contact printing to make clothing, scarves, home textiles and wall art.
Check out Evelyn Baxter’s glass work which celebrates bright and beautiful colours in striking fused glass designs. Influenced by reflected sunlight, she captures passing moments of colour from the garden, landscapes and water in her designs. She has also recently been investigating ancient Egyptians techniques and gilds some pieces with gold.
Painter and print-maker Rosemary Atkins is inspired by the natural world in the form of dry stones walls, old gates and lichen, translated through the medium of lino cuts and paintings.
Jeweller Rosie Colvin incorporates pebbles, shells, sea glass, fossils, semi-precious stones and felt and using patterns & textures created with stamping & hammering techniques into her silver creations.
Tim Labuscagne is a watercolour artist inspired by nature and our relationship with it, taking inspiration from the classic plein air painters such as Van Gogh and Sargent to create artwork that captures the reality and mood of a scene.
Jane Stillwell – A must see is the work of abstract expressionist photographer Jane Stillwell who pushes conventional boundaries, and ventures beyond what is expected from a photograph.
Verna Wass, the ‘Kitchen Table Milliner’ will be showcasing a vibrant collection of couture millinery in silk, fur felt and para sisal, richly embellished with beading, ribbon work and feathers for anyone with a big do or occasion to dress for.
As for Chipping Norton School‘s offering, witness the art on display from Chipping Norton School’s GCSE and A-level students which includes portraiture, natural forms and structures.
To see these Oxfordshire Artweeks artists at Wise Investment go to The Great Barn, Chalford Park Barns, Oxford Road, Chipping Norton OX7 5QR from 10.30a,-5pm from Saturday May 13- May 21, excluding May 15.
