Art Bermondsey Project Space

Finally, it is time to start making firm plans for my forthcoming solo exhibition 'Rewind' at Art Bermondsey Project Space in London. 31 August - 10 September 2016. This exhibition is funded by Arts Council England. I received a Grants for the Arts award from them last year for a period of research and development in my work and I am very excited about this, the last stage of my project - showing the paintings.

A meeting this morning at the gallery with the gallery manager, Serenella, makes it all seem very real. I shall be updating everyone through my blog over the course of the next few months in the lead up to the show. I hope to see some of you there at the exhibition.

Please save the date and put it in your diary: the exhibition opens Wednesday 31 August with a private view in September. Contact the gallery for details if you would like to attend the private view.

I will be reading from the manuscript of my memoir 'Art Life and Everything' at an event chaired by Anna McNay on Saturday September 3rd, and there will also be one or two educational events in the gallery, including a tour of the exhibition led by artist and educator, Louise Cattrell (BSL enabled), organised by Shape Arts.

A catalogue will be published to accompany the exhibition including an essay about my work by Anna McNay.

Much is still in the planning, but the work is more or less ready so that is one less worry!

Arts Council England Award

In January this year, I won a Grants for the Arts Award from Arts Council England.

I am delighted to receive this award: it is a rare achievement, especially for a painter. Such grants are extremely competitive in the current economic climate with the recent cuts to the Art Council's budget. The award will make a huge difference to my practice in 2015 and what I am able to achieve, as well as giving me great self confidence in my work. Thanks go out to all my friends and colleagues for your good wishes and congratulations.

This award is for professional development and will fund a period of research and development within my practice, enabling me to create new paintings. I have already made a detailed plan as to how I intend to develop my work and have outlined a budget of materials and a timeline to pursue. 2015 is going to be an extremely productive year where I will be able to paint under optimum conditions.

Now it is all about achieving results and making the most of the support I have been given at this time. I will keep you posted as my project develops.

A big thank you

Thanks to everyone who came out last night to the opening of my solo show in Shoreditch, 'Cosmos or Chaos', braving the snow and the ice!  It was wonderful to see so many people there, despite it being the coldest night of the year.

A big shout goes out to Michael and Keran from studio1.1 for hosting the show, and to Arts Council England who made it all possible. The exhibition continues until 24th January.

I'm having some installation shots done on Monday, so shall try to post a pic on the blog next time,  if I can find out how to do so....

Meanwhile, there are a couple of exhibitions that I want to see before they close - I'll try to get to the John Baldessari show at Tate Modern over the weekend, and then go see 'Sacred Made Real' at the National Gallery before the 24th January.