The Century Club is proud to present an exhibition of original paintings by the legendary Frank Norman (9 June 1930-23 December 1980), showcasing around 30 works from a man whose life and art captured the grit and glamour of mid-20th century Britain.
Frank Norman’s story is as compelling as his art. Born on the 9th of June 1930, Norman grew up in Barnardo’s Homes, finding his early escape in a variety of jobs, from working in a tomato nursery to joining a circus. His darker turn into petty crime landed him in prison, where he discovered a passion for art during prison-run classes. On his release, he set out to transform his life, becoming a celebrated writer and playwright.
Norman’s prison memoir, Bang to Rights, was a literary sensation, featuring a foreword by none other than Raymond Chandler. This success was followed by his smash-hit musical Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be, which cemented his reputation as a leading voice of his generation. In Soho, he became a fixture of the infamous Colony Room Club, counting Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud among his friends.
The paintings on display, dating predominantly from 1955 to 1985, provide a window into Norman’s creative soul during one of the most transformative decades of his life. His work captures the spirit of an artist whose journey was marked by resilience, reinvention, and unflinching honesty.
This exhibition coincides with a special show at The French House, which features photographs of Soho in the 1960s taken by his friend Jeffrey Bernard to illustrate the book ‘Soho Night and Day’, written by Frank, offering a broader look at the vibrant, chaotic world that inspired Norman’s art and writing.
Catherine Amakar’s work delves into feminine strength, beauty, and divinity, using abstract representations of the female body to explore historically dogmatic attitudes toward women. Religious iconography plays a central role in her practice, borrowing from classical imagery to create a spiritual space where female power is both celebrated and reclaimed. Through her textured, painterly surfaces, she crafts bold compositions that invite the viewer to engage with themes of femininity, resilience, and the evolving discourse surrounding gender. While rooted in figurative expression, her work also integrates abstract elements, using materials that symbolically reference both the feminine and masculine—such as rope—to challenge perceptions and deconstruct traditional structures.
Amakar is drawn to theatricality and beauty, often incorporating decorative symbolism that reappears throughout her work. She encourages viewers to interpret these motifs in their own way, maintaining an air of metaphorical mystery. While her practice is deeply feminist, she is careful not to subvert masculinity itself but rather critique its more toxic manifestations. By blending rich textures with layered meanings, Amakar’s work aspires to promote gender equality and an authentic expression of self, ultimately forging a space where strength and vulnerability coexist in harmony.
Lynne Russell, a celebrated painter and illustrator, brings her vibrant Carnival Paintings to The Century this March. A graduate of Wimbledon School of Art and former student of Maggi Hambling, Lynne’s career spans fine art, illustration, and mural work, with her first illustrated book becoming a global bestseller.
Her bold, colourful paintings capture the spirit, drama and spectacle of carnival — a theme deeply connected to her experiences painting in Mexico and exhibiting internationally. Hosting this exhibition in March is fitting as it bridges the energy of global carnival season with the renewal of spring—both a celebration of life, creativity, and transformation.
The hallways of The Century Club are home to three striking works by contemporary British painter Josie Appleby—Leaning Palm, Pillars of Pines, and Khmer Tnaot Tree. Best known for her equestrian and wildlife paintings, Josie’s recent travels have led her to a new fascination: trees. These latest works capture the same sense of movement and texture she is celebrated for in her animal portraits, but now applied to the quiet, towering presence of nature’s oldest storytellers.
Josie’s approach to painting is deeply rooted in layering, building up oil paint to create depth, texture, and an almost sculptural presence on canvas. Whether depicting the graceful tilt of a palm tree, the steadfast symmetry of towering pines, or the exotic intrigue of Cambodia’s sugar palms, her brushwork suggests a living energy—trees that seem to sway, breathe, and exist beyond the frame.
Having studied fashion at Instituto Marangoni and later Equine Sports Science at the University of Essex, Josie’s career took off with her debut solo exhibition Extinct Instinct at The Underdog Art Gallery. She quickly became a sought-after artist in the equestrian world, exhibiting at prestigious events worldwide. More recently, her drawings were selected by Hurvin Anderson for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2024, marking a significant moment in her evolving artistic journey. Josie is currently studying with Turps and later this year will attend the Royal Drawing School for their Drawing Intensive term. Additionally, two of her prints were exhibited at the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair 2024 and The London Art Fair 2025, further cementing her presence in the contemporary art scene.
The placement of her tree paintings throughout The Century’s corridors offers members and guests a chance to encounter these works in passing—a fleeting moment of stillness in a space designed for movement, conversation, and creativity. Like the artist herself, these trees are both grounded and constantly in motion, shaped by the world around them.
Francesca Skelhorn, an artist born and raised in Kent, “The Garden of England,” finds deep inspiration in her upbringing and the influence of her grandmother, who raised her from the age of three. This early connection fostered her admiration for strong, unique women—a recurring theme in her work. With a professional background spanning fashion, academia, and life coaching, Francesca’s dedication to empowering young talent and encouraging innovation has become the cornerstone of her artistic journey.
Her art celebrates the diversity of the female form, with a particular focus on faces, using bold patterns, vibrant colors, and distinctive elongated necks to reflect the individuality and mood of each subject. Inspired by Yoko Ono’s “We’re All Water,” Francesca’s project of the same name embraces the shared humanity that unites us all. By naming each character and imbuing them with unique personalities, Francesca’s work fosters connections to inner joy, confidence, and self-expression, resonating deeply with collectors who describe her creations as centering and uplifting.
Jana Nicole's show opens in the Dining Room on the 1st May 2024
Jana Nicole, a US-born artist based in the UK, stands out for her vibrant mixed-media collages, blending papercutting and relief sculpture with pop art.
Her latest collection, Botanical Troupe, earned her the prestigious Prix Puvis de Chavannes from France's Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, marking her as the first non-French recipient. This collection combines photos and drawings with natural elements, delving into the unseen world of mosses, mushrooms, fungi, and the intricate mycelial networks linking nature.
Her earlier projects include Portraits of the Self, featuring interviews and personalized portraits of icons like Norman Cook and Joe Strummer, and Cirques Des Enfants and Animal Attraction, which highlight the magic of the circus and exotic, anthropomorphic figures, respectively.
Richard Butchins is an award-winning filmmaker, artist and writer. He has created ground-breaking work across television and art platforms providing rare insight into the disabled experience. Motivated by the continual exclusion and misrepresentation of marginalised people in society, his work aims to shift dominant perspectives, seeking to amplify liminal voices above all the chatter and discourse. Through documentary and personal art practice, he attempts to convey the humanity, value, and self-determination of the disabled community on its own terms, rather than as burdens, objects of pity or inspiration porn. He has a Ph.D. by practise from the University of Kent for a study into the aesthetics of disability.
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Jennifer Latour was born in Seven Islands, Quebec, and now works and lives in Vancouver, BC.
She is a self-taught artist who has worked internationally in special effects makeup for film and
television since 2003 and began practicing photography in 2006. Her love for photography,
cinema, sculpture, and creating characters runs through all her work, and has heavily influenced
her Bound Species series.
In an era of AI and sophisticated digital tools, one of the most impressive elements of Jennifer’s
practice is that each species is created by hand. Temporary organic sculptures which she then
photographs either in her studio or sometimes even releasing her creations back into the wild.
Bound Species draws comparisons to the work of past masters such as Karl Blossfeldt whose
early depictions of locally found specimens continue to inspire artists and designers around the
world, celebrating nature’s patterns, structures and intricate beauty. Also more contemporary
conceptual artists like Joan Fontcuberta whose playful interventions and creations with wildlife
and fauna explore similar themes.
Jennifer Latour began creating her species in her studio during the first lockdown back in 2020.
She uses her skills as a special effects makeup artist to construct ‘new species’ of plants from
locally sourced fresh flowers and plants. Each piece is its own delicate and surreal creature, a
beautiful Frankenstein of sorts.
While each piece has a unique character and stands on its own, the series as a whole is
evocative of the interconnectedness found in nature, and serves as a reminder that all creatures
are bound simultaneously by both their similarities and their differences.
London based artist Mark Illuminati draws on his real punk roots and lifelong passion for rock music for his dynamic neon art works.
Illuminati’s work evokes the raw power of a misspent youth living on tour buses with the likes of The Sex Pistols and The Damned. His art is a joyful celebration of the legacy of anarchy in the UK with a glamorous contemporary flair.
Using vintage and historic flags, clothing and distressed materials, each neon art piece is hand blown to the highest standard and created in Illuminati's west London studio. His works are also available in print form with each piece individually painted and customised with hand applied gems and crystals before being framed by the artist in hand sourced and customised ornate frames.
Illuminati is collected by musicians, actors and Hollywood stars across the globe who are often seen photographed with their works: from Danny Dyer to Trey Parker, Boy George, Elton John and of course multiple punk icons themselves including members of The Sex Pistols.
Stefan Sieler is a still life photographer based in London who has gained recognition for his captivating and thought-provoking works. Sieler's career began in his native Germany, where he worked as a graphic designer before transitioning into photography.
Sieler's photographic style is characterized by his meticulous attention to detail, precise lighting techniques, and use of vibrant colors and textures. He has worked with numerous high-profile clients and his work has been featured in prominent publications such as Vogue and Harper's Bazaar.
In 2019, Sieler created the Moments of Being exhibition at the Andaz hotel in London. The exhibition showcased a collection of Sieler's still life photographs, exploring themes of memory, identity, and personal transformation. The exhibition was highly praised for its innovative approach to still life photography and its ability to evoke emotional responses in viewers.
Overall, Stefan Sieler is a highly respected and influential figure in the world of still life photography. His dedication to his craft and his ability to capture striking and evocative images have earned him a reputation as one of the most talented photographers in the industry.
Visual Arts
EXPLORE MEMBERSHIP
Our membership is drawn largely from the arts, media and creative industries, but we welcome individuals from all walks of life. Century membership not only includes access to our club in London’s theatreland, but also opens doors to our roster of over 30 sister clubs around the world.
