Quay Arts in Newport is preparing to unveil Living | Room, a solo exhibition by Isle of Wight artist Steve Baxter. This collection of recent and new works is the culmination of Baxter’s success as the winner of the Quay Arts Biennial OPEN 2023: The Art of Sculpture.
The exhibition opens in the West Gallery on Saturday, 7th December, and will run until Saturday, 25th January 2025. Visitors are invited to a launch event on the opening day from 2pm to 4pm.
A platform for creativity
The Quay Arts Biennial OPEN Exhibition occurs every two years, offering artists from local, national and international backgrounds the chance to respond to a specific theme.
This prestigious win has enabled Steve Baxter to explore new dimensions in his art, both in scale and scope, while creating a cohesive collection that resonates across the exhibition space.
Exploring the instability of the everyday
Steve’s work draws inspiration from the Isle of Wight’s natural ecosystems, coastal landscapes and geology.
Using domestic materials and everyday objects, he transforms them into striking artworks that explore themes of genesis, growth and decay.
His pieces invite reflection on the often-overlooked instability of the objects and environments surrounding us. Speaking about this exploration, Steve explained,
“When you move through a coastal landscape you see the fundamental forces of survival and growth that are shared by humans and the landscape.
“You can see how much of our terrain is unstable. But it’s not easy to see that same instability in the burrowings of our lives.
“It is perhaps the job of this work to make that more visible.”
Each piece in Living | Room reflects these shifting states, challenging perceptions of permanence in our everyday world.
Meet the Artist
For those keen to delve deeper into Steve’s creative process, a Meet the Artist event will take place on Saturday, 14th December, from 10am to 11am.
This free event offers a guided tour of the exhibition led by Steve himself, accompanied by the Quay Arts team.
About Steve Baxter
Born in Cowes, Steve honed his skills studying Fine Art at Portsmouth University, Wimbledon School of Art and St Martins School of Art.
His career has included artist residencies with Ballet Rambert Academy and Kew Gardens, as well as managing artist studios across England.
Returning to the Isle of Wight, Steve has drawn inspiration from the Island’s shifting landscapes and his childhood experiences at St Helen’s Duver. Since 2015, he has focused on creating works that capture the effects of environmental change, presenting these in gallery spaces to critical acclaim.
A celebration of Island talent
Living | Room is set to inspire and provoke thought, offering visitors a unique opportunity to engage with the ever-evolving relationship between humanity and the natural world.
Living | Room is open to all and entry is free. For more information, visit the Quay Arts website.
