Pallant House Gallery is delighted to announce a new solo exhibition of works by Stephen White, runner up of Outside In 2007 and member of the Outside In Advisory Group. This exciting studio exhibition will showcase 20 paintings inspired by the architecture of the beautiful city of Venice.
Stephen White was given the unique opportunity to exhibit at Pallant House Gallery as a recognition of his hard work and contribution to the Community Programme. His artistic journey began when Stephen joined The Hans Feibusch Club at Pallant House Gallery, which was set up to offer free art workshops for people who require additional support to access art. Although Stephen had always ‘dabbled in painting’, working with others and learning more about art in the context of the Gallery, gave him the confidence to develop his skills as an artist. Stephen went on to win runner up for Outside In in 2007 for his colourful painting ‘Let the Blue Birds Fly Free’. The biennial Open Art Competition is the main vehicle for Outside In, set up to bring work by marginalised and outsider artists to a wider public.
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Stephen believes that it was by taking part in workshops at the Gallery which reintroduced art and creativity into his life, that he found an outlet for his mental health issues. He has also developed new skills taught through ‘Step Up’, part of the Community Programme at Pallant House Gallery which provides professional training for marginalised artists. Through this he learned how to run classes, and got involved in researching the collections at Pallant House Gallery in relation to the lives, stories, impact and work of outsider and marginalised artists.
The subject of outsider art and marginalisation is of particularly interest to Stephen, who is currently studying BA Fine Art at Northbrook College. His dissertation, entitled ‘Is Outsider Art a style?’ addresses the important issue of ‘marginalisation’ and ‘outsider art’, which he says are ‘very broad terms’. Speaking on whether he sees himself as an outsider artist, he said ’We live in post-modernist times, therefore I can be whoever I want to be!’
Stephen has also been able to put into practice his experience, contributing ideas for Outside as an Advisory Member. Speaking of his solo exhibition, Stephen said; ‘It’s brilliant. Art is my life and to be able to share this with others is a rare opportunity which I am very grateful for’. Visitors will see my impression of Venice, my response when I was there and the feelings it provoked’. With inspiration taken from artists such as Willem de Kooning and Frank Auerbach, but with an original and vibrant quality, Ten Days in Venice is sure to charm and delight and with all works for sale, visitors can take home their own glimpse of this fascinating city.
Ten Days in Venice is free to the public and runs from 2 August-28 August 2011
Outside In 2012 will be launched on July 21st 2011 with submissions opening on 22 July. For more information visit www.outsidein.org.uk
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