Feature: Exhibition - The Millinery Works of Contemporary British Art 2011 Until February 26
Published: 13 January, 2011
by PETER GRUNER
THE recent arctic weather is reflected in several of the 40 new paintings on show at the annual exhibition of contemporary art at the Millinery Works in Islington.
The colourful collection, with scenes which include parts of Hampstead, Islington and Hackney, goes on show later this month at the gallery in Southgate Road.
Richard Rowland’s bleak limited edition etching “Snow at Crickmer Corner, Hampstead”, and John Bird’s striking oil painting “Snowstorm in De Beauvoir, Hackney”, are a reminder of winter. A more mellow tone is evoked by James Mackinnon’s “Canal Bridge” set on Islington’s Regent Canal – one of three studies by him of the waterway. Hampstead artist Rosemary Clunie provides the perfect contrast with her red and blue face “The Breather”.
The exhibition is entitled Contemporary British Art 2011 (40x40x40) and represents the work of 40 mainly London and home country based artists on canvases not bigger than 40cm x 40cm in size. Prices for work range from £400 to £5,000. Among the leading artists exhibiting will be Humphrey Ocean and Patrick Hughes and Sir Peter Blake with his limited print “Love Me Do”.
The gallery’s director Derek Rothera says that in difficult financial times art is an excellent investment. “Good art should appreciate in value and give you something wonderful to put on the wall,” he says.
• The Millinery Works Annual exhibition of Contemporary British Art 2011. January 25-February 6. Tuesday to Saturday 11am-6pm. Sunday 12-5pm. 85/87 Southgate Road, N1. 020 7359 2019. www.millineryworks.co.uk