Art4Grenfell

Broken Symmetry II. Acrylic on canvas. 45 x 45 cm
© Julie Umerle

Colin Sheaf, Chairman UK and Asia at the international auction house Bonhams, will take to the rostrum at the Art4Grenfell charity auction at the RBS Headquarters in the City of London on Wednesday 21 February. 

The ticket-only event is being held to raise money for the homeless residents and survivors of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. 100% of the funds raised will go to the families. I have donated a painting to the auction where more than 100 works donated by such well-known and respected names as Gilbert and George, Dame Zandra Rhodes, Andrew Logan and Boy George will be up for sale. 

Colin Sheaf said, "This will be an exhilarating art auction, with many acclaimed and noteworthy iconic artists from the UK and abroad kindly donating a painting or work of art to honor the victims of this tragic loss of life in London." 

The auction is open to all guests with admission by ticket only, and is being held on Wednesday 21 February at The Atrium, 3rd Floor, 250 Bishopsgate EC2M 2AA with the Preview and Reception from 6.00pm, followed by the Live Auction starting at 7.00pm. Admission is by pre-purchased ticket only, with all seated and standing tickets available for purchase online at: https://tiny.cc/a4g

Studio photos

Here are some photos from my London studio to start the year. Paint brushes, paint pots, palette knife, canvas and spring flowers in January!

2017: A look back and a look forward

Now we're reaching the end of 2017, I thought it would be timely to post a couple of paintings I made this year which will be exhibited in 2018. So far, this series of new canvases entitled 'Split Infinity' has only been seen by visitors to my London studio. I am very happy now to be able to share these paintings with you.

It's been a tremendous year professionally for me, with a touring show of China and being selected for the APT Open Exhibition in London as just a couple of its highlights.

I'm looking forward to 2018 when I will be continuing my role as artist in residence at The Marriott Canary Wharf. My first group show of the season, Beyond the Surface, is planned for the end of March at The Crypt, St Marylebone Parish Church in London.

Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous New Year! Thank you as always for following me and I very much appreciate your support!

'Split Infinity'. 2017. 152 x 152 cm. Acrylic on canvas
© Julie Umerle

'Split Infinity II'. 2017. 152 x 152 cm. Acrylic on canvas
© Julie Umerle

Artist Residency

'BlueTurquoise' (85 x 95cm) at The Marriott, Canary Wharf
© Julie Umerle

I took up my artist residency at The Marriott in Canary Wharf last month. Exhibiting my work in a public space and outside of an exclusively art environment is an exciting undertaking. I am delighted to have this opportunity to engage with a new audience and to present my work within the context of a non-gallery setting - quite different to how my work is usually viewed.

The residency is very much a collaboration between myself and the staff at the hotel. After a great deal of preparation, measuring the space and considering our options, we began by hanging five paintings in the downstairs gallery. After all, this is the showcase for my project and it has to look impressive!

Then I was invited to hang a further twelve paintings in the upstairs lobbies, one painting on each floor. Right now, there are a further eight paintings at the hotel ready to be hung in the executive suites. This is an ongoing project and will evolve over the course of the residency. No doubt, the work will change too over the course of the year.

One of the best parts of the project is being made to feel so welcome by the staff and management who are genuinely interested in the paintings and each have their own favourite piece. It's a pleasure to welcome visitors and guests to see my paintings in this context.

I do hope that some of you will be able to see my work at The Marriott if you are in London. This is an exhibition that is open 24/7, with the light changing over the course of the day. So far, I have had some useful feedback.

I am very much enjoying the challenge that comes in working with a worldwide brand and no doubt will learn much from the experience going forward.

Location: London Marriott, 22 Hertsmere Road, Canary Wharf, London E14 

London Marriott Canary Wharf

© Julie Umerle

JULIE UMERLE is artist in residence at The Marriott in the heart of London's financial district of Canary Wharf. Her paintings are exhibited throughout the gallery and upper floors.

Umerle is an award-winning abstract painter, known for her use of colour and space, whose paintings combine an experimental approach to materials with precision and thought.

Julie studied fine art at Parsons School of Design, New York and at Falmouth University, Cornwall. She exhibits extensively in the UK and internationally with recent shows including the Royal Academy, Maidstone Museum, Scope Miami Art Show and Yantai Art Museum.

Julie's paintings are collected by global brands such as Deutsche Bank, Societe Generale Bank and Pinsent Masons LLP. Her work is represented in several museums and private collections.

Location: London Marriott, 22 Hertsmere Road, Canary Wharf, London E14

Shape Arts at The Hospital Club: Benefit Art Showcase and Sale

Blue/Green. 45.8 x 45.8 cm. Acrylic on canvas
© Julie Umerle

Please join Shape Arts for a prestigious contemporary art benefit exhibition and sale at London’s renowned The Hospital Club on Tuesday 3 October 2017, coinciding with the week of the Frieze Art Fair.

On display and for sale at the evening reception will be 24 affordable works generously donated by artists in recognition of the legacy of disabled sculptor Adam Reynolds, namesake of Shape Arts’ flagship art award, the Adam Reynolds Memorial Bursary – now in its tenth year – and the continued importance of the organisation’s work in pushing for a more inclusive and accessible arts sector for disabled people. Artworks have been donated by Anish Kapoor, Anna Ostoya, Barnaby Barford, Charlie Godet Thomas, Christian Furr, Clare Kenny, Diana Al-Hadid, Fiona Banner, Gary Hume, Gavin Turk, Imran Qureshi, John Baldessari, Joy Miessi, Julie Umerle, Marc Quinn, Martin Creed, Mona Hatoum, Penny Slinger, Pipilotti Rist, Rachel Pimm, Rivane Neuenschwander, Stuart Pearson Wright and Tim Etchells.

In an exciting range of media including painting, print, photography, sculpture and art object, and valued across a broad price range, the donated works, many of them newly-created and not previously exhibited, are set to appeal to a diverse base of collectors, buyers and art lovers. The works will be displayed and sold at a drinks reception at The Hospital Club, 24 Endell St, London WC2H 9HQ from 6 - 9pm on Tuesday 3 October 2017, which will be open to the public and accessible.

Allowing buyers to engage in philanthropy while adding to their collections, proceeds from the sale will contribute to sustaining and expanding Shape Arts’ prestigious Adam Reynolds Memorial Bursary. The upcoming tenth Adam Reynolds Memorial Bursary will offer the successful recipient an award of £10,000 and a three-month residency with Pallant House Gallery, Chichester from 6 February to 29 April 2018.

Location: The Hospital Club, 24 Endell Street, London WC2H 8HQ

Artist in Residence at London Marriott, Canary Wharf

The Marriott, Canary Wharf

Julie Umerle announced as Artist in Residence at the prestigious 5-star London Marriott in Canary Wharf

From 3rd October 2017 to 3rd October 2018, the 5-star Marriott in the heart of London's financial district of Canary Wharf is hosting an exhibition of extraordinary paintings by award winning painter Julie Umerle.

Julie is one of London’s most outstanding contemporary abstract artists known for her innovative use of colour and space and her experimental approach to materials and process.

The Marriott’s innovative artist-in-residence programme facilitates encounters with exciting contemporary art. As Bertrand Dijoux, the Marriott’s manager observed: “The gallery space adds yet another dimension to our hotels' offerings. In addition to infusing every gathering with an element of glamour, it brings a little bit of London's iconic culture within our walls for a truly original experience.”

Umerle will be resident artist for a year and during that time she will exhibit a series of paintings throughout the gallery and upper floors which will enhance the experience of guests and visitors alike. In this collection of work, colour and space are used to dramatic effect. Umerle commented: “I am delighted to be chosen by the London Marriott as artist-in-residence. I look forward to collaborating with them on this exciting project and reaching a new audience with my work.”

London Marriott Canary Wharf

22 Hertsmere Road

Canary Wharf

London E14 4ED

For further information, contact Bertrand Dijoux, General Manager:

E: Bertrand.Dijoux@Marriotthotels.com, Tel: +44 (0) 207 093 1000