Event type: Exhibition

Degrees of Abstraction brings together three abstract artists, Hilary Dron, Jessica Slack and John Sharp; each pushing the boundaries of gestures, geometric and natural forms.

Abstract art can trick the human eye, as it searches for form and representation, and unlike figurative art, can evoke emotions through colour and shape. This show of large, vibrant paintings closes the door on reality and centres you in the realms of abstraction.

Hilary Dron – Hilary was born in Liverpool and completed her degree at Central School of Art and Design, London. She worked as a designer for Liberty before beginning a 30 year career, teaching art in schools and in further education. After a recent sabbatical in Japan and the Far East, she decided to leave teaching and concentrate on her own work, something she has always wanted to do. The last six months have represented a huge step for Hilary and have included a commission by Aintree Hospital and exhibitions in and around Liverpool.

Speaking about her work, Hilary notes: “My paintings are about colour, light, texture and atmosphere. They are reimagined experiences of a personal memory memories of landscapes I have visited, from woods in Liverpool, mountains in Taiwan to Sakura blossom in Kyoto, Japan. I recently spent ten days in Ballycastle, County Mayo painting the coastline, bogs and beautiful surrounding Irish countryside.” She paints to get into that quiet place in her mind, where there is no sense of time and she hopes her paintings reflect this essence of a deep, quiet experience.

Jessica Slack – Jessica is a contemporary abstract artist whose work is inspired by colour and nature. Jessica’s fascination with the power of colour and how it can evoke emotions when least expected leads to bold and vibrant expressionist paintings that aim to bring joy to homes all over the world! In her own words… “The shifting nature of the environment, from the changing seasons to the contrast between urban and rural landscapes is constant inspiration to me. The aim of my work is to capture feelings of joy, wonder and freedom – reflected in the bold use of colour, texture and abstract mark marking you see in my work.”

After graduating with a first-class degree in Printed Textiles and an MSc in Colour Science, Jessica began her artistic journey after taking part in Liverpool Art Fair back in 2019. Fast forward to now, Jessica is recognised as an emerging British artist with prestigious awards such as the Signature Art Prize and Bethlehem Card Commission in addition to being seen in The World of Interiors Magazine and having commissioned artworks throughout Liverpool City Centre.

John Sharp – John was born in Bentham on the Lancashire/Yorkshire border and grew up in Garstang. Having studied illustration at De Montfort University, John then went on to work as an illustrator, graphic designer and in design/visual effects for the film and TV industry at University of Manchester, Yorkshire television, Flehner Films, Buenos Aires and various VFX companies in Soho London and Manchester. His work has included a broad array of projects including The Harry Potter films, Emmerdale and Iceland TV adverts.

“I work in a variety of styles and with a variety of subjects. There is usually a polemic element to my pictures. The “Kite” pictures relate to graffiti and urban Life. The “All of Us” series are a commentary on the energy of life and the absurdity of religion and politics. The Bird pictures are more cartoon than ornithology…Gulls are marauding gangs on the edges of society, Ravens, solo wanderers across moorland and hills and Cormorants are a prehistoric presence in the heart of the city. Mythological subjects are usually metaphors for contemporary issues, for example the “Mermaid” drawings reflect the ecology of the oceans and “Minotaurs” are misfits trapped in the city.”

All artworks are for sale.

Join them for the Private View of the exhibition on Thursday 14th September from 5pm-7pm.

All welcome, but please register here: https://degreesofabstractionpv.eventbrite.co.uk

The dot-art Gallery can be found at 14 Queen Avenue, Castle Street, Liverpool, L2 4TX (just 5 minutes’ walk from Liverpool One).

Opening times: Tuesday – Saturday, 10am-6pm

The exhibition runs Friday 15th September – Saturday 18th November 2023.

Kerolaina Linkeviča (Laīna) presents Primordia (2022), an immersive online work inspired by research into Goddess/Goddexx worship, and their personal experiences of ancestral belief systems passed through the maternal line of their Latvian family.

The three worlds found within Primordia offer an exploration into femme-focussed prehistoric ancestries, and consider how alternative ways of being can allow for the formation of new worlds in collaboration with beyond-human entities. Throughout the gallery installation, you’ll find elements of these digital worlds such as ceramic sigils and fluid textile works, an artform practised throughout generations of Laīna’s family.

Play Primordia (2022) online here and explore the installation from 10 June – 27 August.

The UK’s longest-running painting competition returns to Walker Art Gallery in September 2023.

Bringing together the best of contemporary painting from across the UK to Liverpool, the painting prize is over 60 years old. First held in 1957, the competition was named after its founding sponsor Sir John Moores. The prize is open to all artists working with paint, who are aged 18 years or over and live or are professionally based in the UK. Showcasing the very latest in painting today across the UK, the competition culminates in an exhibition held at the Walker Art Gallery every two years.

Past prize winners have included Peter Doig, Rose Wylie, David Hockney and Sir Peter Blake, who became the first patron of the John Moores Painting Prize in 2011, after winning the Junior section of John Moores 3 with his painting ‘Self Portrait with Badges’ in 1961.

This year’s jurors are Alexis Harding, Chila Kumari Singh Burman MBE, Marlene Smith, The White Pube and Yu Hong. Tickets available online, with half price tickets for Liverpool City Region residents on the first Sunday of every month.