Attention Brighton! A5 Open Art Exhibition open until April and worth a visit

The inaugural Brighton A5 Open Art Exhibition (until 6 April 2012), went off to a flying start at the private view  on Sunday 27 November when one lucky first prize winner and four runners up were announced. The exhibition which takes place at the Outside In Community Gallery in Brighton, is now open for visitors to come and see the winning works as well as the other 180 entries from the competition, which was organised by Pallant House Gallery and Outside In earlier this year.


The prize of their own solo exhibition at the Outside In Gallery went to Ian Pyper, for his original, eye-catching work entitled ‘Hairy Monoped (Sciapod)’.  Speaking of his work Ian said ‘I was inspired to draw the image as I'd drawn identical versions of this as a child at every opportunity I could. I have no idea where the image came from, but it somehow came to represent me and my 'identity'. I scribbled it on books and pieces of paper for quite some time afterwards.’ Ian has recently started to draw on found paperback book pages, the ideal size for the A5 competition requirement! When asked about this unconventional mode of working, he said ‘book pages lack the intimidating 'blank white surface' that ordinary drawing paper does.’

Ian Pyper 'Hairy Monped (Sciapod)'

The four lucky runners up were awarded a community pass which includes free entry to Pallant House Gallery for a year and a year’s subscription to the gallery magazine. Judges were impressed by Paul Bellingham’s moving portraits ‘Head Study’ and ‘Face Study’ and by Michelle Brown’s colourful and playful drawings of animals entitled ‘Like’ and ‘Understood’.  Runner up was also awarded to Shirley Hart for her work ‘Vicar’ and Millie Popovic for her landscape painting ‘Viewpoint’.

Michelle Brown 'Like'

Michelle Brown 'Understood'

Every artist who entered the competition is a winner, with all work featuring in the exhibition. The interesting entry requirement of A5 sized work meant that a larger amount of work could go on display, which is an important factor for the Outside In Community Gallery which aims to bring work from the local community together, providing a link to the local area in which it is based. The A5 requirement particularly suited Ian Pyper who said; ‘I very rarely work on drawings much larger than A5 and in many ways it's the particular 'psychological format' for creating my art.’

Ian is already looking forward to his solo exhibition. He said ‘I've never had a big solo exhibition before, so this will be a very exciting and new experience.’ In the meantime, visitors can come and see Ian’s work as well as the huge variety of other works by exciting local artists until 6 April 2012. 

*Entry to the Outside In Community Gallery is free to the public. The gallery is open Tuesdays and Fridays, 1.30 until 3.30, with viewings also by appointment. To arrange a visit please call Outside In on 07735 68531 or Wellington House Day Centre on 01273 296240      

Ten Days in Venice at Pallant House Gallery- 2 August– 28 August 2011

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.

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