15th November (6pm-8pm) Kevin Hickson and Beth Smith exhibition:
A Jab in the Eye With a Sharp Stick.
A new exhibition, featuring artwork by Kevin Hickson and Beth Smith.
Firstly it was good to see a bustling exhibition, right from the word “go” at 6pm. Indeed I wanted to explore the exhibition for myself and, for this blog piece, interview both artists and other visitors for their opinions. I am happy to say that as I mingled with the crowd, I was not short of interviewees. As I talked to fellow observers, it was clear that the busy-nature of the event had by no-means gone unnoticed; both Jamie (a volunteer at Inkwell Arts) and Emma Bolland (a visual artist and regular attendee of our previews) noted this when I asked them what they thought. Jamie commented “I’ve never seen a show as busy as this”, whilst Emma too said “I haven’t been to such a crowded opening night in a long time”. Paul Digby, artist and tutor at Inkwell commented how ‘great it was to see Inkwell thriving in the community and putting the arts at the heart of the community’ and was very impressed with the turn out for the show.
So, what pieces are on display at Inkwell’s new exhibition? The art-forms used ranged from sculpture, painting, ceramic pods, and a video collection of computerised art-work to ornaments in glass cases and paintings by both Beth Smith and Kevin Hickson. Within their paintings each artist portrayed their unique artistic style. Doreen had visited many or our exhibition evenings and commented on Kevin’s work saying “you can tell by the ceramics that he had done the paintings”. Kevin uses materials such as acrylic and a variety of mixed media in his paintings. Beth Smith on the other hand used materials such as oil pastels and watercolour in her work. Listening to the thoughts expressed by other exhibition-goers people had positive feedback when it came to what they saw. Mikkal who attends our classes said “I think it’s breath-taking”. Further, when I talked to Emma about Beth’s work she said “it’s really nice to see her exhibiting again after such a long break”.
What I also found interesting was how some people were particularly drawn to particular pictures, out of the motivating assortment displayed. One wall was dedicated to several large scale abstract works painted by Kevin Hickson and were described as “a visual feast”. Emma Bolland alluded to the format and context of Kevin’s paintings, and admired how in some he had chosen to “integrate landscape work with abstract work, and they work really well as a suite”. A couple of people were also moved by the same three art-works: ‘The Impossibility of Imagining Infinity’, ‘The Great Escape’ and ‘Sub Atomic Miasma’ (each by Kevin) but for different reasons. Doreen remarked that she did “find them peaceful and I appreciate how much work has gone into it.” Another viewer also liked these three, but instead “because they have a biological structure”. He also expressed appreciation for Beth’s work when he added “I really like Beth’s stuff, particularly on the screen as it is a good way of viewing”.
When I got the opportunity to ask Kevin Hickson how he thought the exhibition, and its opening night, had gone he was positive as he talked briefly about what has gone into producing the exhibition and about his successful collaboration with Beth. At one point stating “I’m really pleased for Beth”.
To conclude, if asked to put my own opinions about the exhibition into words it would be difficult to do easily. However to add my own personal view to the above, I do think the uniqueness of the work of both artists means they were an effective paring for an art exhibition, resulting in something for every individual who walked through Inkwell’s doors to see what is sure to become a success: A Jab in the Eye With a Sharp Stick.
Reported by Amanda Lynsdale.
