As we’ve said before, there aren’t many places that can offer an ‘effortless cool’, but Binnel Studios, now fully established at the former site of Isle of Wight Studio Glass in St Lawrence, does just that.
There’s only once chance a year to see the latest work of the eight highly-accomplished artists – some world-renowned – as they open their studios to the public for the August bank holiday weekend.
The eight artists
This year’s event is a great opportunity to meet the latest artist to join Binnel Studios – painter and printmaker, Sadie Tierney – as well as see new work by the artists; Molly Attrill, Matthew Chambers, Jane Cox, David Firmstone (at his Orchid House studio), Sue Paraskeva, Sadie Tierney, Amanda Wheeler and Celia Wilkinson.
As you might expect when there are eight artists involved, a wide range of styles and mediums will be on show, appealing to a variety of tastes.
Molly Attrill
Molly Attrill has been a potter for over 30 years. Inspired by Bernard Leach she initially trained as a repetition thrower with his son, Michael, in North Devon before gaining a place at the prestigious Farnham Art College. She then worked in potteries in France and Canada.
In 1982 Molly established her own pottery at Mersey Farm, Newchurch (now the Garlic Farm). In 2014 she moved to Binnel Studios.
Molly works in stoneware as well as maiolica (tin glazed earthenware). A feature of her work is her distinctive figurative decoration using brushwork, wax resist and scraffito.
Alongside her familiar work, Molly is currently working on a body of work, following the age-old tradition of using political satire as decoration.
Molly says,
“Our current times certainly provide endless material!”
Matthew Chambers
Award-winning ceramic sculptor Matthew Chambers began his ceramics career in 1993 as an apprentice potter, which eventually led to an education finishing at the Royal College of Art in London in 2004.
Matt has been working on the Isle of Wight ever since then and has had his work represented by galleries in the UK, as well as internationally in Paris and New York.
Matthew’s works have been purchased for several museum collections including The V&A London, National Museums Scotland, and The Sevres National Ceramics Museum in Paris.
He has also worked with Spanish fashion House, Loewe, who house a permanent display of his ceramics in their Rome boutique.
Jane Cox
Jane Cox is a Fellow and former Council member of the Craft Potters Association (CPA) and a Brother and Trustee of the Art Workers Guild (AWG).
In January 2019 Jane took over Chairing the Outreach Committee of The Art Workers Guild coordinating a team running projects across various institutions such as the V&A, Courtauld Institute, Watts Gallery and Imperial College. This has been interesting and challenging and quite a different role of Guild Master.
As Chair she participates in the All Party Parliamentary Group on Craft (APPG) set up by The Heritage Crafts Association to raise awareness in Westminster about all aspects relevant to the Crafts including the importance and funding for Craft apprentices and examining current risks, threats and opportunities in the sector.
Jane specializes in earthenware combining slip decoration and sgraffitto with translucent glazes in three main colours: “Aquitaine” a rich vibrant turquoise, “Loire” a deep green, and “Carcassonne” a resplendent blue purple.
Jane says,
“If we think of precedents like William Morris at Kelmscott and the Red House, the designs were created in his garden, as close to the source as possible.
“Working at Binnel, surrounded by green leaves, summer blossom and the sea, I couldn’t be closer to my inspiration. It’s always the dream I had.”
David Firmstone MBE
Award-winning painter, David Firmstone MBE, has been involved in art all his life.
He has won the Turner Watercolour Prize, the Threadneedle Painting Prize, the NOP International Painting prize, the Fabriano International Watercolour Prize and has recently had exhibitions in Italy and China.
David’s landscapes and seascapes of the Isle of Wight and abroad are incredibly commanding and must be seen in person.
David said,
“All my work is concerned with sea and landscapes. I am fascinated by the marks that painters and those that humans make when they work the land.
“The spirits of artists and land workers past and present shape my view. I work in a large scale in watercolour, oils and tempera; I use tradition as my touchstone and modernism as my flight.”
Technique is critical to David’s aesthetic. He constantly searches for new ways to make paintings and can never quite remember his previous approach – so each painting is an act of learning to paint again.
You can see David’s work at his studio, Orchid House, Old Park Road adjacent to the Binnel Studios car park (where you should park to visit both studios).
Sue Paraskeva
Sue Paraskeva‘s collection of tableware was first developed during a residency that brought her to the Isle of Wight in 2000.
Over 20 years Paraskeva has built an international reputation and produces work for many high profile brands across the US, Canada and Europe, including Calvin Klein Collection, Madison Avenue New York, Design Museum London, Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge for the Hand and Flowers in Marlow and Toast.
Each piece is hand-thrown in Paraskeva’s studio and the fine forms are glazed internally, leaving an unglazed exterior. The light grey and dark speckled ware are composed of recycled porcelain and stoneware.
Pieces are fired in a reduction atmosphere to create a distinct finish that brings the iron speckle to the fore. The porcelain is fired in an oxidising atmosphere to a high temperature in an electric kiln, producing a cream vitrified body which is burnished for a smooth finish and strength for everyday use.
Having built her wood-fired kiln last year, you’ll be able to see work from recent firings – Stoneware and shino glazed porcelain, stand alone pieces and tableware.
Sadie Tierney
Sadie Tierney’s paintings and prints are based on sketches of places, but the work takes on a life of its own through unique marks and distinctive colour.
Trained at the Royal College of Art, and recently represented at Art Basel Miami and London Art Fair, she currently has a print selected by Grayson Perry for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.
Previous selected solo exhibitions include Flowers East Gallery, Rabley Gallery and Eton College.
Her work is represented in numerous public collections including Imperial Health Charity, The Bronx Museum of the Arts (New York), Gdansk Museum (Poland) and The Royal West of England Academy, along with private collections worldwide.
Sadie says,
“I recently joined Binnel Studios, bringing along my Dutch etching press. I’m looking forward to opening the doors and welcoming visitors over the August Bank Holiday weekend.”
Amanda Wheeler
Amanda has relished her new larger studio space in this creative haven, surrounded by the inspirational, beautiful coastline and talented friends.
Amanda explained,
“This new larger studio, which I love, has allowed me the freedom and space to be more creative.
“It’s symbolic as this extra room has enabled experimentation and bigger works – so expansion on all levels.”
Amanda focuses on sea and coast, and says that will always be her main inspiration.
“The more I sit sketching and observing a place, the more it keeps calling me back….and of course, each time it’s never the same, the colours, the light, the water, always changing, always challenging.”
Her work is forever evolving, but primarily she paints semi-abstract coastal seascapes using acrylics and watercolours.
Celia Wilkinson
Isle of Wight based landscape painter Celia Wilkinson primarily works with Acrylic on canvas. She completed her BA Hons in 1989 at St Martin’s College of Art, London.
Celia comes from
a long line of artists in her family. Her unique style of painting
incorporates the design influence from her father and painterly
influence from her mother.
Her paintings are semi abstract , vibrant and colourful ,and although they depict landscape, they are very much about her, presenting a visual diary of her life and events . Sometimes brooding, sometimes optimistic.
Celia was invited to participate at Florence Biennale last year alongside Vivienne Westwood and was awarded Second Place for painting receiving the prestigious Lorenzo Il Magnifico award.
Since 2010 when
she turned her focus on the landscape, her paintings have developed
their own unique style and are constantly evolving. Her paintings are
exhibited widely across the UK and abroad, including a gallery in
West Palm beach, Florida.
Celia says,
“At Binnel, it’s great to be among other professional artists as there is good creative energy here – it’s a beautiful setting to work in.
“I also love meeting people at the studio – they like to hear where the paintings come from. They often fall in love with them.”
Celia’s work has been bought by collectors worldwide.
Where and when
The Summer Exhibition takes place on Saturday 27th, Sunday 28th and Monday 29th August 2022 – open daily between 11am – 4pm.
If you are unfamiliar with St Lawrence, from Ventnor continue on the A3055 past Ventnor Botanic Garden until you reach Old Park Road (on your left) and then follow the signs for Binnel Studios.
Entry is free, but don’t forget to visit the cash-point first, because you might just fall in love with what you see. Credit/debit cards can also be used.
See the Binnel Studios Website for more information.
Our thanks to Binnel Studios for sponsoring this event feature. They and other businesses taking paid promotion enables you to continue reading OnTheWight for free
