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.
Head to Binnel Studios over the August bank holiday weekend and you’ll be in for a treat, as seven highly-accomplished artists – some world-renowned – open their studios to the public.
The seven artists
This year’s event is a great opportunity to meet the latest artist to join Binnel Studios – contemporary wildlife and animal artist, Jacob Light – as well as see new work by the artists; Molly Attrill, Matthew Chambers, Jane Cox, Sue Paraskeva, Amanda Wheeler and Celia Wilkinson.
As you might expect when there are seven artists involved, a wide range of styles and mediums will be on show, appealing to a variety of tastes.
Jacob Light
Jacob Light is a contemporary wildlife and animal artist. His work is richly detailed yet warm, representational images of living animals. He is an associate member of the International Society of Animal Artists.
Jacob studied painting, drawing and illustration at Bournemouth and Poole College of Arts and Falmouth University of the Arts.
Click on images to see larger versions
His work is influenced by his trips to Africa, Asia and the Americas as well as his local area and home on the rural Isle of Wight.
Inspiration for Jacob’s work comes from endangered species, portraiture, disease, animal symbolism, rural scenes and sightings and the relationship between humans and animals.
He works in several different media, particularly in pen and ink, graphite pencil and coloured pencil on a variety of high quality fine art papers.
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.
He has been working on the Island 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.
In addition she is co curating a major exhibition “The Art Of Making” with 40 brothers of the Art Workers Guild exhibiting and demonstrating their work as part of London Craft Week to be held in London October 2021.
This is an ambitious project and the first of its kind at the Guild where all floors of the Guilds superb Bloomsbury building will be involved – with talks, demonstrations and exhibitions and guided tours taking place throughout.
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.
At this year’s exhibition she will be showing more items in her striking black and white range.
These were commissioned by the British Library to go alongside their exhibition on Sacred Texts.
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 this year, the work from the inaugural firing will be exhibited over this weekend for the first time – Stoneware and shino glazed porcelain, stand alone pieces and tableware.
Amanda Wheeler
Amanda Wheeler says she’s relishing 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.”
Click on image to see larger version
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
Celia Wilkinson has recently moved into a larger, refurbished studio which was previously inhabited by David Firmstone.
Celia is taking advantage of the space she now has by painting larger canvases and developing her work.
Click on image to see larger version
Her most recent work is becoming much looser in its mark making and even more vibrant in colour.
Unlike last year when her paintings reflected her travels abroad, this year has been more of a reaction to lockdown and has again turned her attention to more local landscape.
Celia is thrilled to have been invited to exhibit at this years Florence Biennale in October.
Where and when
The Summer Exhibition takes place on Saturday 28th, Sunday 29th and Monday 30th August 2020 – 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.
The Bunker
Over the same weekend, you can also visit The Bunker and see work by Isle of Wight artist, Lisa Traxler. Find out more.
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
