New mixed media work by Fiona Campbell and Kitty Hillier, on exhibition at Walcot Chapel, Bath
Award-winning artists Kitty Hillier and Fiona Campbell are exhibiting a series of new work in a show entitled ‘Blurred Edges’ at Walcot Chapel Gallery, Walcot Gate, off Walcot Street, Bath BA1 5UG on 14th – 27th October, open 10.30 – 4.30 daily. The Chapel is set back from the top end of Walcot Street in Bath’s artisan quarter - a busy, creative hub in the Roman city centre.
‘Blurred Edges’ exploits undefined boundaries between line and form, distinct contrasts and interesting crossovers between the two artists’ work. Their different use of media (Fiona constructs organic 3-d forms in metal and found materials, Kitty creates abstract 2-d paint and wood pieces) adds to the dynamic interaction. Tactile and open-ended, threads weave through the work, making connections, suggesting conflicts, revealing hidden layers, textures and emerging forms. Echoed shapes allude from one to the other, shared interests become apparent and both artists enjoy the playful concept of taking a line for a walk.
Fiona and Kitty have exhibited together previously. Their joint exhibition curated at Bridgwater Arts Centre ‘Mystery and Mutability’ (’11) revealed many connections within their work. They also have in common strong links with Somerset Art Works, through whom they have each independently been awarded various art commissions including work on the Great Crane Project with schools and most recently the Abundance Garden Trail programme, involving new site-specific contemporary works in selected garden landscapes around Somerset in Sept ’13 for the SAW Festival.
In 2010, Kitty won the Reveal Emerging Artist Award via Somerset Art Works, resulting in a Solo Exhibition at Black Swan Arts, Frome. She also won the Bruton Arts Society Award (’03). Graduating in 2007 with a first class honours degree in Fine Art (painting) at Bath Spa University, she has since developed her contemporary pieces on wood. Her work is a subtle play of muted colours, interacting marks and amorphous painted shapes, often re-worked, chisels obliterating whole areas to reveal new layers within the grain. Motifs are filtered from a constant documentation of everyday details, found images and curious objects, which leave the viewer to draw their own narratives.
Born and bred in Kenya, Fiona graduated from the Byam Shaw School of Art, London with distinction in Fine art (sculpture), later gaining a PGCE at Exeter University. Often approached as ‘drawings in space’, Fiona’s mixed media sculptural pieces include steel, copper, wire, found and recycled materials, built up in layers that are woven, wrapped and welded. Primal nest-like structures in states of growth or metamorphosis, they reflect her interest in primal instincts and nature’s cyclical persistence. Award winner of the DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year ’10 and Atkinson Gallery Summer Show ’11, Fiona was highly commended for her work as Green Capital Artist in Residence ’12, culminating in exhibitions at the Arnolfini, harbour and Create Centre, Bristol.
Comments