Monday, 21 April 2014

April Exhibition Roy & Pat Abell


Exhibition April & May 2014

Throughout April and May, Artifex Gallery will be holding a selling exhibition of work by husband and wife Roy and Pat Abell. This is a rare opportunity to view a collection of Roy’s powerful, large scale oil paintings, together with Pat’s decorative Japanese themed ceramics.

Roy studied at The Royal College of Art alongside David Hockney and Peter Blake, before embarking on a successful career as a painter and art teacher, while Pat worked for many years as a graphic designer.

 The shear scale of Roy’s large oil paintings provide the viewer with an amazing sense of place.



He explains:
“What emerged from doing the large scale paintings was that when viewed from an appropriate distance, the picture extended beyond one’s field of vision and allowed the sensation of “being there”, which might for example bring the sounds of wind and water. The abstract qualities and dynamics of the painting would be exploited to suggest these sensations”.

These large works would make a dramatic statement in any living or work area and contrary to popular perception large paintings often enhance rather than diminish the feeling of space in which they are displayed.

Pat’s amazing ceramics would suit both traditional and contemporary interiors with their strong use of pattern and eye-catching colour. 



She says:
“Although my training and career was as a graphic designer I have always loved ceramics and I have concentrated on this during recent years. The designs on these plates reflect my admiration for oriental art and are examples of one of the themes in my work I feel constantly drawn to”.

The exhibition runs from 5th April throughout April and May and is open daily 10am – 5pm.

Saturday, 8 February 2014

Throughout February

Designer Furniture

Workshop Reductions

Throughout the month of February, many of our designer furniture makers are reducing the price of their handmade furniture, by up to 50%.

This is a great opportunity to own a beautiful unique piece by one of the country's leading contemporary British furniture designers.
Why not come along and see what's on offer, many more pieces are available.



'Stumpy Desk'  Native Ash, Oak Burr & Black Walnut 
Was £4300 Now £3600

Monday, 11 November 2013

ARTifex is 20 years old!

COME & JOIN US FOR OUR 
20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION ON
Saturday 16th November, 10am - 5pm

Artifex Gallery, the Midlands’ leading gallery for contemporary British Arts & Crafts, will be celebrating its 20th anniversary on Saturday 16th November.

Karen Van Hoff
There will be the opportunity to win numerous prizes, including an original painting by Robert Perry titled ‘Last Glimmers of Daylight’, worth £680. Robert is one of the Midlands best known artists, and he will be in the gallery to chat about his work. Jeweller, Karen Van Hoff, will be demonstrating her jewellery techniques and customers can win one of her flamboyant necklaces.

Robert Perry

Meet other artists and makers and watch demonstrations, including pot throwing.
Get inspiration for your Christmas gifts & wish list


On the day, Artifex will be supporting ‘Speight of the Art’, a charity set up by artist and BBC ‘SMart’ presenter Mark Speight’s family, following his tragic death in 2007. ‘Speight of the Art’ organises projects and events throughout the UK to bring the benefits of ‘The Arts’, in their many varied forms, to children of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.

Keep in touch!

All our invites, offers and competitions are now sent via email.
If you would like to be included please email us with your name, postcode and the words “please add to emailing list”.

Mitchell Centre for Art and Craft
Weedford Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. B75 6NA.

Tel: 0121 323 3776 | Fax: 0121 323 2380 | Email: sales@artifex.co.uk

Tuesday, 16 July 2013

Bernie Wisniewski, Presents ‘Bright and Bold’

An Exhibition of Original Paintings throughout July in our Birmingham Art Gallery!

The work of Bernie Wisniewski will be filling the gallery with bursts of vibrant colour for the month of July. His inspiration comes from the North East and Scotland, and the exhibition will feature his distinctive paintings of landscapes and still life.


‘Being self taught, I let my paintings come from the soul, working rapidly to convey the emotion generated by a subject in an expressionistic style. My studio is bright and always full of music, excitement and activity.’

Consequently Bernie’s work is loose and dramatic, with bold shapes and textural brushstrokes. Strong, bright colour also characterises his work, reminiscent of the Scottish Colourists and Fauve painters.


‘I’m not influenced by fashion or the current trend – these things are transient. I’ve been working for the last 12 months to create some of my brightest, most colourful work, which I hope will provide impact and interest wherever they may hang.’

Tuesday, 2 April 2013

New Paintings by Al Saralis



The paintings of Al Saralis reflect the classical beauty of the human figure. The dramatic use of light, coupled with the directness of the pose, results in images that are powerful and sometimes confrontational, while also echoing the fragility and vulnerability of contemporary man.


Al is a professional painter and a teacher of Fine Art. He was born and brought up in South Wales and now lives and works in Hampshire and has exhibited extensively over recent years and has been involved in a number of group and one-man exhibitions. Since his early life drawing sessions at Art College, the human figure has always been Al's main source of inspiration. This fascination of the form, structure and movement of the figure continues to be central to Al’s work.



The paintings usually consist of a single figure which is stripped of any narrative reference. Recent works have included a series of paintings where the figure has been fragmented or left incomplete. These were in part inspired by a trip to Florence where Al saw the unfinished ‘Prigioni’ sculptures of Michelangelo.

Monday, 26 November 2012

British Designer Jewellery - The Perfect Christmas Gift!


This Christmas at Artifex, we’re hoping to dazzle you with some of the best pieces from our British Jewellery Designers and inspire your Christmas gifts & wish list!
Make your gifts truly shine this Christmas with our unique jewellery designs, all lovingly hand crafted in Britain 'by the individual, for the individual'.
Silver Animal Pendant Collection by Helen Lea, from £54
Helen Lea is one of the talented jewellery designers here at Artifex. Inspired by animals and nature, Helen’s pieces consist of miniature hand-modelled solid Silver animals, which she makes into charms or pendants or places into a little scene representing their natural habitat in a stylised way. Helen’s latest Silver Animal Pendant Collection, with it’s typically British quirkiness, is the perfect gift idea for the animal lovers amongst your loved ones.
You won't find these beautiful, high quality designs on the High Street so your loved ones are sure to feel extra special when they find these gems sparkling under the tree on Christmas morning!

Thursday, 18 October 2012

Football Nostalgia - Sid Kirkham - Watercolour depictions

Artifex Gallery are holding their first exhibition of Sid Kirkham’s football themed paintings, many inspired by Midland teams, throughout October 2012.

Sales of his nostalgic watercolour depictions of industrial landscapes have “gone through the roof” since his works were described as “Lowryesque” by Nick Owen on BBC Midlands Today.  Inspired by his childhood spent in The Potteries, Sid’s paintings are social commentaries on life as it once was in industrial towns and on the working man’s love of football:
 
“I think it’s the nostalgic, story-telling aspect to my work that people enjoy.  Many people find my work very affectionate and warm, a painting becomes almost like a friend”.

Sid took up painting professionally at the age of 60.  Despite never receiving any formal artistic training, his talent was noticed at school when he was offered an art scholarship.  However, he was unable to take it up due to the need to earn a wage. Now, decades later, Sid paints furiously to keep up with demand and intends to keep painting as long as he can.  Often, he’ll wake up in the night with a flash of inspiration, rush downstairs, reach for the pencil and sketch out his ideas.

“It’s what I enjoy doing and if other people enjoy my work then I’m happy.”

We definitely enjoy Sid’s nostalgic depictions and we know you will too so don't forget to pop in and take a look!