Shane Wheatcroft is an artist from Colchester in Essex, now based in Sittingbourne, Kent. For most of his career, he’s worked as a painter and screen printer, but in the last few years, Wheatcroft has focused exclusively on collage and assemblage. The source material for his collages comes from an increasingly large collection of vintage magazines, old books, stamps, and any interesting bits of paper ephemera the artist can find.
“In my recent series of portraits, I’ve tried to create scenes of drama within the face of the portrait subject. Often the subject is an eyewitness to the scene, or the drama represents a memory or an incident in the subject’s mind. The single eye motif is a way to connect the portrait with the scene, aesthetically and emotionally, but also represents the surveillance culture we live in. I’ve always been interested in juxtaposing the glamorous with the mundane in my work. My 3D pieces often start with a single image from a book or magazine, which I’ll cut into pieces and reconstruct to create the basis of a 3D diorama within the face of the portrait.” – Shane Wheatcroft, 2022
Wheatcroft’s influences come from a variety of sources, from music, current affairs, plays, films and life experiences. Artistically, he draws upon Andy Warhol, Peter Blake, Cindy Sherman and Bridget Riley, amongst many others, but it was discovering John Stezaker’s work that encouraged him to begin working with collage. His work has been exhibited at Below 65 Gallery, Maidstone, Playhouse Theatre, London and Wooden Box Gallery, Ramsgate.
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.
Visual artist and art historian Iluá Hauck da Silva was born in Campinas, Brazil and has been based in London since 1997. She received her BA in History of Art from Goldsmiths, University of London in 2002, and her MA in Christianity and the Arts from King’s College London (in association with the National Gallery, London) in 2020. She is currently doing her PhD in Fine Arts at the University of East London.
Hauck da Silva has exhibited nationally and internationally, including at the National Trust Sutton House, Brompton Cemetery (The Royal Parks), The College of Optometrists, The West of England Royal Academy of Arts, The Royal Landscape, York Art Gallery, Augustijnenklooster Ghent, Belgium, Museu Padre Lima, Brazil, and the Kabinett Gallery, Boston, USA.
The artist’s practice is focused on visually investigating the human condition and its conundrums. A strong sense of the relationship between what can potentially be described as beautiful and the brutality of existence is deeply infused in her work.
Her solo show at Century, Visceræ, will bring drawings and miniature glass sculptures of internal organs. Fusing medical and botanical imagery, these pieces hinge on anatomical precision and surrealist uncanniness to explore the poetry and beauty of various psychological, emotional, and physical afflictions.
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.
Cathy Ward was born in Kent, England. In a career spanning more than thirty years, she has exhibited in such major venues as PS1/MoMA, the Drawing Center, the Walker Art Gallery, and the Whitechapel Gallery. She was appointed artist-in-residence for the “Madge Gill: Medium & Visionary” retrospective at Orleans House Gallery in London and her work has been featured in many underground and cultural spaces, including the Horse Hospital (London), and Maggs Counterculture (London). Her work is in the permanent collection of the College of Psychic Studies (London).
Hans Bellmer exhibition in the Cocktail Lounge from September.
Hans Bellmer (1902-1975) was a German Surrealist artist known for his provocative and unsettling works that explored themes of desire, sexuality, and the human psyche. He is most famous for his series of meticulously crafted and disturbing dolls, which he began creating in the 1930s. These dolls were constructed with ball-joints, allowing them to be contorted into unnatural positions, challenging societal norms and perceptions of the female body. Bellmer's work often delved into the darker aspects of the human subconscious, reflecting the anxieties and turmoil of the interwar period in Europe. During this time, he formed close friendships with fellow Surrealist luminaries such as André Breton, Max Ernst, and Salvador Dalí, engaging in spirited discussions about art, eroticism, and the boundaries of creativity.
Bellmer's art was not only visually striking but also conceptually challenging. His work pushed the boundaries of eroticism and surrealism, often blending the two to create a powerful commentary on the human condition. Despite the controversial nature of his art, Bellmer remains an influential figure in the history of Surrealism, inspiring subsequent generations of artists to explore the depths of human psychology and the taboos of sexuality through their work.
Tessa Paul is an Anglo-French abstract artist based in London who has gained critical acclaim for her bold and dynamic paintings. Her work is characterized by its vibrant colors, expressive brushstrokes, and bold geometric forms, which create a sense of movement and energy on the canvas.
Paul's paintings often explore the relationships between color, shape, and texture, and are influenced by a range of artistic traditions, including Abstract Expressionism and Post-Painterly Abstraction. She has exhibited her work in galleries and art fairs in both Europe and the United States, and her paintings are held in private collections around the world.
Paul's commitment to her own artistic practice has made her a notable figure in the London art scene and beyond.
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.
Tony McGee is a British photographer known for his innovative and striking fashion and advertising images. He started his career as a photojournalist in the 1970s, but quickly found his niche in the world of fashion photography.
McGee's photographs often push boundaries and challenge conventional beauty standards, featuring unconventional models and unique compositions. His work has been featured in top fashion magazines and advertising campaigns for major brands around the world.
In addition to his fashion photography, McGee is also an accomplished portrait photographer and has captured images of many famous faces, including Prince, David Bowie, and Madonna.
Overall, Tony McGee is a highly respected and influential figure in the world of photography, with a career spanning several decades and a body of work that continues to inspire and captivate audiences today.
Rory Hancock is a highly talented and accomplished artist who is known for his photorealistic oil paintings that explore the seductive nature of high glamour. Based in the UK, Hancock's works are highly sought after by collectors and have been featured in galleries and exhibitions around the world.
Hancock's paintings are characterized by their meticulous attention to detail, vibrant colors, and rich textures. He draws inspiration from the world of fashion and luxury, and his works often feature images of beautiful women adorned in high-end designer clothing and accessories.
Despite the highly stylized nature of his subject matter, Hancock's works also possess a deep sense of emotional depth and complexity. His paintings explore themes of desire, temptation, and the human condition, and his photorealistic technique allows him to capture the subtle nuances of human expression and emotion.
Overall, Rory Hancock is a highly skilled and innovative artist who has made a significant contribution to the world of contemporary art with his seductive and thought-provoking paintings. His ability to capture the essence of high glamour and fashion, combined with his technical skill and attention to detail, have earned him a reputation as one of the most exciting artists working today.
Visual Arts
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