POSTPONED!!! Due to circumstances beyond our control, Outsiders: Vancouver & Beyond will not be opening this Friday. Please stay tuned for a future date and location. Please share the information and sorry for the late notice.

Outsiders: Vancouver & Beyond

Now accepting applications for the 2009 Yuri Arajs Artist Development Grant

The purpose of this grant is to give a visual artist an opportunity to have direct support from a professional visual arts curator and artist working in the arts community. This will allow the recipient to have one-on-one time to discuss their work critically, portfolio reviews, and plan how to promote their work.
Any artist living with a disability who lives in the USA or Canada is eligible to apply.
This is the third year of the Yuri Arajs Professional Development Artist Grant.

To apply, submit the following:
1. Six (6) or more images of your artwork. They can be digital images on a CD, photographs, prints, or slides. No original work will be accepted.
2. An artist bio / resume, which should include any artistic experience such as arts training and exhibition history.
3. A brief statement, no longer than one page, telling why you should receive this opportunity and how it will help you in your career as an artist.
4. A postage paid envelope for the return of submitted materials. If this is not supplied, no materials will be returned.
5. Applications should mailed directly to: View Art Gallery, Artist Development Grant, #104 – 860 View Street, Victoria, BC, V8W-3Z8, Canada

Recipient will receive:
1. $100 in art supplies, in the form of a gift card.
2. 500 Full color postcards with the artists work on it, for promotional use.
3. A studio visit or phone consult with Yuri Arajs, to be scheduled in 2009.

Important Dates:
April 1, 2009 Applications and all materials are due.
April 30, 2009 Recipient will be announced.

Yuri Arajs is the only juror and will select the recipient of the grant. Decisions will be based solely on the artist’s application submission.

If you have any questions, please contact Yuri Arajs at yuri@yuriarajs.com
Or visit www.yuriarajs

Twenty One Florals by Yuri Arajs opens Nov 1st

Placement Gallery presents:
Twenty One Florals
Works by Yuri Arajs
November 1 – December 20, 2008

Exhibit location:
TwentyOneFlorals.blogspot.com

Placement Gallery, a project and gallery of Yuri Arajs, presents its latest exhibition, Twenty One Florals, a solo exhibit by Yuri Arajs.

This exhibition is the first from Arajs since leaving the Twin Cities for his native country of Canada. The exhibit will feature twenty one (21) new floral paintings on paper, which focuses on his love of mark making.

“It was hard to decide to do a show of just single floral paintings. I make so many of these to get the one that looks “right”. To create twenty I’m satisfied with is not easy” says Arajs.

This is an on-line exhibition. The web location for the exhibit is TwentyOneFlorals.blogspot.com
You will be able to view the exhibition beginning at 12 noon Pacific time on November 1st until 12 noon Pacific time of December 20th. All work will be available for sale.

On-line gallery hours: 24/7

Contact:
Yuri Arajs
Placement Gallery
yuri@yuriarajs.com

Jonathan Hamilton is showing new work at Barbette in June

Placement Gallery and Barbette present:
New works from Jonathan Hamilton
June 2008

Reception with the artist:
Sunday, June, 15, 3-6pm
Free and open to the public

Placement Gallery and Barbette have come together to present a series of new exhibitions at Barbette every 2 months. This series of exhibits will each have it’s own unique focus, presented as group or solo exhibits. This will be the last exhibition Placement Gallery will be hosting at Barbette.

Jonathan Hamilton has this to say about his work:
Much of my art is about landscape. I tend to show the impression or feel of a landscape more than a snapshot of somewhere you may have been. The work for this show was made with oil paint, spray paint, different drawing mediums, and printmaking with some collage and other random techniques that struck me as I built up the many layers of each piece.
My work is more lyrical than descriptive. Starting with a word, poetic phrase, or line from a song, I respond visually and then keep riffing off each step as the layers build. Marks and images are made and obscured, and if its working, each decision leads to a honing of the final piece. Patterns of birds in flight against the sky, the snap of a chalk-line across tar paper, a horizon line separating the sky from the sea...these little elemental moments can be enough for roomfuls of paintings and sculpture for me.

Hours:
8-1am Sunday through Thursday
8-2am Friday and Saturday

Barbette, 1600 West Lake Street, Minneapolis
612.827.5710

Placement Gallery is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2008 Yuri Arajs Artist Development Grant.

This is the second year of the Yuri Arajs Artist Development Grant. The purpose of this grant is to give an artist the opportunity to have direct support from a professional curator and artist working in the arts community. This will allow the recipient to have one-on-one time to discuss their work critically, have portfolio reviews, and plan how to help promote and develop their work.

This year, the grant was offered to an artist living in Minnesota, living with a disability. To assist with this, the grant was offered through the help of VSA Arts MN. VSA Arts is an amazing organization offering a number of grants, classes, and services for artists living with disabilities in MN. Visit them online at: www.vsaartsmn.org

This year’s grant recipient is Faye Buffington Howell. Her art work and information about the artist is available online at: www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=172129

In receiving this years grant, Faye will receive a $100 art supplies gift card, 1000 full color postcards with her art on them to use for promotional purposes, and 2 studio visits with Yuri Arajs. This year’s grant received additional financial support from D. Brad Frederiksen. Thank you!

"Pure Pleasure" A 3 day exhibition for Art-A-Whirl

Placement Gallery presents:
“Pure Pleasure: 10 Years of Curating from Yuri Arajs”
May 16 - 18, 2008
Featuring works by Joe Aschebrook, Bill Borden, Jaime Carrera, Jennifer Davis, John Fleischer, Kyle Fokken, Doug Forbes, Greg Gossel, John Grider, Nicholas Harper, Grant Hart, JAO, Ernest Miller, Mari Newman, Douglas Padilla, Terrance Payne, Amy Rice, Richard Saholt, Sean Smuda and Venus,

Exhibit location: Thorp Building, 1620 Central Avenue NE, space 125, Minneapolis
Gallery hours: Friday 5-10pm, Saturday 12-8pm, Sunday 12-5pm

Reception with the artists Friday, May 16th from 6 to 10pm
Featuring a live speed painting performance by JAO and music by DJ Espada.
A fantastic art event and party that is free and open to the public!

Placement Gallery, a project and gallery from Yuri Arajs, former curator and Executive Director of Outsiders and Others Gallery, presents it’s latest major exhibition, “Pure Pleasure: 10 Years of Curating from Yuri Arajs”.

This exhibition brings together twenty artists that Yuri Arajs has shown over the last 10 years. The reason for doing an exhibition of this type, at this time, is because it will be the last major exhibition Placement Gallery will be producing in Minneapolis for a while. Yuri Arajs is moving to Canada this summer and he wanted to do an exhibition that celebrates the many artists he has had the pleasure of working with.

“It’s impossible for me to do an exhibition that features all the artists I’ve worked with. This show will be a small sample of some of the amazing talent this city has to offer “, says Yuri.

This exhibition will also be the largest exhibition Placement Gallery has done. It will be held in a 12,000 sq ft space in the Thorpe Building in NE Mpls. The Thorp Building is the original home to Art-a-Whirl.

Amy Rice Spring Sale at Barbette in April & May

Placement Gallery and Barbette present:
Amy Rice’s Spring Sale
April & May 2008

Reception with the artists
Sunday, April 13th from 3 to 6 pm
Free and open to the public!
Join us for complimentary snacks and happy hour prices on beverages.

This is a great opportunity to see a huge variety of work by one of cities favorite artists, Amy Rice. This is only one of two exhibits she has scheduled in 2008 in Minneapolis. And with four exhibits in four different states this summer, Amy proves that the demand for her work is stronger than ever.

This exhibition with be a great selection of works from the last 5 years. Old stencils, like Amenome’s, as well as new Gocco prints on vintage envelopes, will be exhibited.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have worked with Amy a lot over the last 10 years. This exhibit will be unique in that it brings together a huge selection of works in one place. The wall will be hung edge to edge with work.” Yuri Arajs, Placement Gallery Curator.

Barbette and Placement Gallery have come together to present a series of new exhibitions at Barbette every 2 months. Each exhibit will have it’s own unique focus, featuring group shows and solo exhibitions.

Hours:
8-1am Sunday through Thursday
8-2am Friday and Saturday

Barbette, 1600 West Lake Street, Minneapolis
612.827.5710

Contact:
Yuri Arajs, Placement Gallery, PO Box 18496, Minneapolis
612-242-9199, yuri@yuriarajs.com

Yuri Arajs and Placement Gallery featured in the new issue of Minnesota Monthly Magazine

The March issue of MN Monthly has a very nice article on me. If you haven't seen it yet, you can go to the link below to read it online. Many thanks to Tim Gihrin, senior writer at Minnesota Monthly, for taking the time to do this story.
- Yuri

http://www.mnmo.com/media/Minnesota-Monthly/March-2008/This-Way-In/

Lindsy Halleckson & Eric Inkala exhibit @ Barbette in February and March

Barbette and Placement Gallery present:
New works by Lindsy Halleckson & Eric Inkala
February & March 2008

Reception with the artists
Sunday, February 17th from 3 to 6 pm
Free and open to the public!
Join us for complimentary snacks and happy hour prices on beverages.

“When I’m thinking of artists works, these two artists always come to mind at the same time. Not only because of their bold use of color, but mainly because of how strong their work stands on it’s own. ” Yuri Arajs, curator for Placement Gallery.

Lindsy Halleckson and Eric Inkala have been painting and showing for years, both nationally and internationally. Their work resembles two different ways of expressions one’s desire for more information from the world. This can be seen in Lindy’s mutli layered fields of color, which seem to resemble one’s struggle to find balance. And Eric’s pieces go in a different direction. They never seem to end. They feel like a single moment that runs of the edge to infinity, leaving an endless story to unfold for the viewer.

From Lindsy Halleckson’s statement:
My current work is a body of paintings that are created with a slightly off-complimentary color
scheme. This series of paintings aims at depicting sound through color.

Barbette and Placement Gallery have come together to present a series of new exhibitions at Barbette every 2 months. Each exhibit will each have it’s own unique focus, featuring group shows or solo exhibits.

Hours:
8-1am Sunday through Thursday
8-2am Friday and Saturday

Barbette, 1600 West Lake Street, Minneapolis
612.827.5710

Now taking applications for the 2008 Yuri Arajs Artist Development Grant

The purpose of this grant is to give a visual artist the opportunity to have direct support from a professional curator / artist working in the arts community. This will allow the recipient to have one-on-one time to discuss their work critically, portfolio reviews, and plan how to help promote their work.
Each year, the grant will be given through a different organization. This year I am pleased to be offering this grant to a member of the VSA Arts Minnesota community. Any artist living with a disability who lives in Minnesota is eligible to apply. For more information on VSA Arts and the services they offer, visit www.vsaartsmn.org.
This is the second year of the Yuri Arajs Professional Development Artist Grant.


To apply, submit the following:
1. Six (6) or more images of your artwork. They can be digital images on a CD, photographs, prints, or slides. No original work will be accepted.
2. An artist bio / resume, which should include any artistic experience such as arts training and exhibition history.
3. A brief statement, no longer than one page, telling why you should receive this opportunity and how it will help you in your career as an artist.
4. A postage paid envelope for the return of submitted materials. If this is not supplied, no materials will be returned.
5. Applications should mailed directly to: Placement Gallery, Artist Development Grant, PO Box 18496, Minneapolis, MN, 55418

Recipient will receive:
1. $100 in art supplies, in the form of a gift card.
2. 1000 Full color postcards with the artists work on it, for promotional or sale purposes.
3. Two (2) studio visits with Yuri Arajs, to be scheduled in 2008.

Important Dates:
April 1, 2008 Applications and all materials are due.
April 30, 2008 Recipient will be announced.

Yuri Arajs be the sole juror and will select the recipient of the grant. Decisions will be based solely on the artist’s application submission.

If you have any questions, please contact Yuri Arajs at yuri@yuriarajs.com or
visit: yuriarajs.blogspot.com

Keegan Wenkman showing new works @ Barbette

Placement Gallery and Barbette presents:
New Works by Keegan Wenkman in December 2007 & January 2008.

Self-taught artist Keegan Wenkman returns to the Twin Cities with a dynamic new series of drawing that will be featured at Barbette in Uptown in December and January.

After leaving Minneapolis for Portland 6 months ago, Keegan took time to slow down and take his work to a new level. These new, large scale and grand illustrations bring Keegan’s work to a new level of personal and human investigation. Emotional details, text and scenes are intricately illustrated in these glorious new works.

From Keegan Wenkman’s artist statement:
“Each drawing is an experiment where the purpose, meaning and outcome are as puzzling as the content.”

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with and showing Keegan’s work for the last 4 years. This has allowed me the opportunity to see his work grow and develop into the work you will see in this exhibition. I will offer up these adjectives to describe the new work: momentus, insightful and overly informative.” Yuri Arajs, Placement Gallery curator.


Barbette and Placement Gallery have come together to present a series of new exhibitions at Barbette every 2 months. Each exhibit will have it’s own unique focus, featuring group shows and solo exhibitions.

Hours:
8-1am Sunday through Thursday
8-2am Friday and Saturday

Barbette, 1600 West Lake Street, Minneapolis
612.827.5710

The Placement Gallery Shop is open on Nicollet Mall!

Placement Gallery is open on Nicollet Mall for the holidays! The Shop features original art works & gifts by some of Minnesota’s most talented artists. You will find works by Amy Rice, Allen Brewer, Tom & Nancy Coleman, Jennifer Davis, Greg Gossel, JAO, Nick Howard, Yuri Arajs, Allen Christian, Keegan Wenkman, and Ernest Miller, to only mention a few.

For original paintings, ceramics, miniature wood carvings, Gocco prints, cards, or anything else you might want to buy someone for the holidays, you can be sure that this will be the only place to find these wonderful gifts of art.

Here is the vital information:
The Placement Gallery Shop
November 19 – December 24, 2007
651 Nicollet Mall, Gaviidae Common, street level, next to Saks
Minneapolis
Gallery Hours: M-F 10-7pm, SA 10-6pm
p. 612.338.3799

Placement Gallery presents John Schuerman at Barbette in Oct & Nov

Placement Gallery and Barbette present:
Works by John Schuerman
October & November 2007

Reception with the artists
Sunday, October 14th from 3 to 6 pm
Free and open to the public!
Join us for complimentary snacks and happy hour prices on beverages.

From John Schuerman’s artist statement:
“I work in the great artistic tradition – that of reckoning with nature, consciousness, and the unknown. Mythology and contemporary conceptual art both follow from this human impulse. This kind of art renders the unnamed, and language follows, creating new levels of consciousness, which in turn produces new art.”

“I have always found John’s work intriguing. The work is complex, dense and never tires.” Yuri Arajs, Placement Gallery curator.


Hours:
8-1am Sunday through Thursday
8-2am Friday and Saturday

Barbette, 1600 West Lake Street, Minneapolis

Did you miss the opening for OCD?

Well if you did, you can now see it online!
Just click on the icon under "Art for Sale" at the top right of this page and it will take you right to the entire exhibit. And don't be afraid to shop.

And while you are there, look at some of the work by other artists that we are working with. Look around!

But nothing can replace seeing the show in person. So come on down! We are at 509 1st Ave NE on the 2nd floor, open TH, SA, SU from 12-5pm, until October 14th.

And thanks to all the press that has come out on the show! We got nods from Citypages, Vita.mn, Minneapolis Observer Quarterly, This Next, and METRO. We will have links posted for these soon. Thanks!

"Obsessive Compulsive Drawing" opens September 14th!

Placement Gallery presents:
Obsessive Compulsive Drawing
September 14 – October 14, 2007
Featuring artists Ben Boylan, John Fleischer, Melissa Gahagan, David Gaul, Nick Howard.

Exhibit location: 509 – 1st Avenue NE, 2nd floor, Minneapolis


Opening Reception
Friday, September 14, 7 to 10 pm
A fantastic art event and party. Free and open to the public!

Placement Gallery, the new project and gallery from Yuri Arajs, former curator and Executive Director of Outsiders and Others Gallery, presents it’s second major exhibition; Obsessive Compulsive Drawing.

This exhibition brings together five artists whose work focuses on drawing; both literally and conceptually. Each one of these artists brings his or her own style of “drawing” and their own message, and push the boundaries of what one may consider to be traditional drawing.

Ben Boylan comes from a traditional art background and works on found materials instead of a pristine surface. His found surfaces help to inform the viewer about the history of the other-worldly creatures that find their way into Ben’s work.

John Fleischer creates work that lives on many levels. Aesthetically, the work is rich with texture, color and lots of visual manipulation. Conceptually, the work is provocative and raw.

Melissa Gahagan’s work speaks to the side of us all that desire the simple life. This would include family, friends, security, animals and home. Melissa says “The landscapes are secure, primitive environments that exist outside of any contemporary conflict”.

David Gaul is a self-taught artist who started making art in 2002. He has explored many art forms; watercolor and graphite drawing to mention a few. His work in this show will focus on his love of pointillism. David creates portraits and landscapes that look as playful as his love of playing the harmonica.

Nick Howard finds himself on a constant search to better understand human relationships in his work. Who holds the truth? How do “truth’s” effect our perception of the world? These questions are brought forward in the work by the use of fine lines; massive amounts of lines to create a single image.

Gallery hours: Thur, Sat & Sun 12-5pm or by appointment

Contact:
Yuri Arajs
Placement Gallery
PO Box 18496, Minneapolis, MN, 55418
612-242-9199
yuri@yuriarajs.com

Allen Brewer and Greg Gossel exhibit @ Barbette in Aug/Sept

Barbette and Placement Gallery present:
New works by Allen Brewer & Greg Gossel
August & September, 2007

Reception with the artists
Sunday, August 12th from 3 to 6 pm
Free and open to the public!
Join us for complimentary snacks and happy hour prices on beverages.


From Allen Brewer’s statement:
An innate ability to re-create life’s beauty has always been the driving force behind Allen’s work, whether it’s with realism or a more simple style.

From Greg Gossel’s statement:
My work is about life, the struggle, and the beauty. I try to accomplish this through the interplay of many diverse words, images, and gestures.

“What draws me to both of these artists’ work is their ability to approach fine art from a design perspective. Each artists work stands on it’s own. While these works don’t seem to want to live next to each other, there is a happy visual symmetry when viewed together.” Yuri Arajs, curator at Placement Gallery.

Barbette and Placement Gallery have come together to present a series of new exhibitions at Barbette every 2 months. Each exhibit will each have it’s own unique focus, featuring group shows or solo exhibits.

Hours:
8-1am Sunday through Thursday
8-2am Friday and Saturday

Barbette, 1600 West Lake Street, Minneapolis
612.827.5710

Placement Gallery announces the first recipient of The Yuri Arajs Artist Development Grant

Placement Gallery is pleased to announce the first ever recipient of The Yuri Arajs Artist Development Grant.

This is the first year of the Yuri Arajs Artist Development Grant. The purpose of this grant is to give an artist the opportunity to have direct support from a professional curator and artist working in the arts community. This will allow the recipient to have one-on-one time to discuss their work critically, have portfolio reviews, and plan how to help promote and develop their work.

This year, the grant was offered to an artist from RESOURCE / Spectrum Community Mental Health; an organization that enables people to achieve greater personal, social and economic success by providing employment, training, mental health and chemical health services. You can learn more about them at www.resource-mn.org.

This year’s grant recipient is Audrey Bernard. Her art work and information about the artist is available online at Audrey’s blog; artistaudrey.blogspot.com

In receiving this years grant, Audrey will receive a $100 art supplies gift card, 1000 full color postcards with her art on them to use for promotional purposes, and 2 studio visits with Yuri Arajs.

Join us for Art-a-whirl this weekend!

29
Originally uploaded by placement gallery.

This is the last weekend for the exhibit and we have killer hours for art-a-whirl.
Friday 5-10pm, Saturday 10am-8pm, Sunday 10-5pm.
We are opening at 10am on Sat and Sun so you can stop by before all the other studio's open at noon. I might have coffee there for you.
Don't forget, we are at 509 1st Ave. NE.

See ya then!

Print Gocco Demonstration

Print Gocco Demonstration by Amy Rice
Placement Gallery
509 1st Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN
May 12, Saturday, 1-3 pm


The Print Gocco is a Japanese toy, a mechanism for making small screen prints. They are extremely common in Japan, with one in three Japanese households owning a machine. Production of Print Gocco Machines ended in 2005 and it is estimated that there is only two more years left of Gocco supplies at current use (screens, special light bulbs and specific ink).

Come and observe local artist, Amy Rice, as she demonstrates the Print Gocco Machine. You'll learn how the Print Gocco works, see samples, and find out where to buy Gocco Printers and supplies. Amy will be making a print based on one of her most popular paintings, “Flo Finds a Cupcake” and chocolate vegan cupcakes will be served.

View "Paintings in Place" Online

You can now enjoy the current Placement Gallery show, “Paintings in Place” on Flickr.

"Paintings in Place" A-Listed in the City Pages and other nice press

City Pages
A LIST RECOMMENDED EVENT
Amy Rice; Yuri Arajs; Alex Alexander; Ben Olson: Paintings in Place

Placement Gallery isn't so much a gallery as a concept: A revolving residence for art from the Twin Cities and all over. The brainchild of Yuri Arajs, a local artist and co-founder of the recently shuttered Outsiders and Others Gallery, Placement Gallery promises to emerge like a tulip in new spaces all over the Twin Cities. Arajs's first Placement show, "Painting in Place," features his own paintings, as well as work by local artists Alex Alexander, Amy Rice, and Ben Olson (all of whom Arajs championed at Outsiders and Others). It all finds a well-lit spot to, er, hang for a month in a giant warehouse at 509 First Ave. NE. City Pages recently caught up with Arajs to ask him about the new project.

City Pages:Outsiders and Others seemed like such a gallery success. Why did it close?

Yuri Arajs: It's a complicated answer. When you choose to close a business, there are a lot of reasons to do it. Outsiders and Others was an incredible project. It lasted four years. I was surprised at how much support the gallery received. I just think it was time to do the next thing. There were so many constraints: primarily self-taught artists, nonprofit status, primarily Minnesota artists. I'm 40, I'm not 70. I've got a lot more to do.

CP:So how will Placement Gallery be different?

YA: Placement Gallery is a for-profit venture. For the first exhibit, it will be in the 4,000-square-foot warehouse for one month. This is an opportunity for people to step up and really recognize things that are happening in small spaces. And I am always going to support self-taught artists and Minnesota artists, but this will be about artists from all over.

CP:Shows like "Will Work for Food," in the old Theatre Antiques building, are cropping up in random, temporary spots. Why do you think this is happening in the Twin Cities? What does that mean about the art community?

YA: It's a town that is changing. Minneapolis is a shitbox of construction right now, and there are so many opportunities for artists. It's an opportunity for people to see things in a new way, for people to step up and recognize things that are happening in small spaces. Like the space for this first show, it's heavenly. I hope that people come out and embrace it.

"Paintings in Place," the inaugural Placement Gallery show, opens Saturday, April 28, with a reception from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Visit www.placementgallery.blogspot.com for more info. Through May 20 —Molly Priesmeyer

ALSO:
In Vita.mn
and PINCH TWIN CITIES

Premier Exhibit: Paintings in Place

Placement Gallery presents:
Paintings in Place
April 28 – May 20, 2007
Featuring artists Amy Rice, Yuri Arajs, Alex Alexander, Ben Olson

Exhibit location:
509 1st Avenue NE, 2nd floor
NE Minneapolis

Opening Reception
Saturday, April 28 from 7 to 10 pm
A fantastic art event and party. Free and open to the public!

Scheduled Events:
April 28, 7-10pm Opening reception
May 3, 6-9pm, First Thursday NE Art Crawl
May 12, 1-3pm, Amy Rice demonstrates “Gocco” printing
May 18-20, Art A Whirl, Fri 5-10pm, Sat 12-8pm, Sun 12-5pm

Gallery hours:
Sat & Sun 10-5pm or by appointment



This exhibition brings together four painters whose work explores their own world and the world around them primarily through the use of paint. The unique vision each artist brings to their work allows viewers an intimate moment in time with each piece in this unique exhibit.

Amy Rice finds comfort in childhood and nostalgic imagery, which is reminiscent of supposed innocence. Primarily using spray paint, hand cut stencils and collage, Amy’s attention to her working surfaces is just as important as the message conveyed, both aesthetically and emotionally. Old reclaimed kitchen cabinets and shelves are used among other objects. Additionally, Amy will feature a series of limited edition “Gocco” prints in the retail shop.

Yuri Arajs looks at the world around him in form and color. Primarily painting landscapes, Yuri creates serene, minimal scenes with an element of paranoia that is inescapable. Large oceanic scenes, vast fields or detailed floral images; each work can feel relaxed and comfortable in gesture and space, but cold and stark in precision and technique.

Alex Alexander’s work focuses on human relationships. She explores the idea of beauty in relationship to people; both friends and lovers. In the majority of Alex’s work, the focus is on the interaction of figures and other narrative qualities that inform (or not) the personalities and situations involved. Alex creates a world of unspoken but not quiet moments.

Ben Olson has two obsessions in his work; his wife Emma and himself. Ben’s lyrical and arguably aggressive paint technique brings detail and emotion to very still and almost lifeless portraits, with the rare addition of a toy pistol or a bed sheet to additionally inform you, Ben’s portraits command a strong presence.