Where eagles dare. EXHIBITOR

Meet Collette Hunt, a local multi-media artist. Collette works in her conservatory turned studio, where she creates all kinds of one-off prints and artworks. She prefers one-off images as they “capture the element of inspiration”. For this exhibition, the focus is on printmaking and its various techniques.

Tell us about the exhibition:

It is a compilation of printing techniques, collagraphs & monoprints. A culmination of recent & past one-off prints, using hand-mixed intaglio inks

And the process of printmaking?

Inks are applied to the plate, paper is then laid on top of the plate and then passed through press to create a print. The intaglio paper is slowly removed to reveal the image.

Grove Square Galleries is a fine art venue celebrating the work of diverse and brilliant emerging artists. Quantus Gallery is a newly-launched European first, a gallery dedicated to NFT digital art with an in-house advisory service. Alhtough Londonbased, the two galleries are going to exhibit at Eagle’s Rest in St Brelade between June 9th and 12th.

Eagle's Rest is located just above St. Aubin village and harbour, offering sea views across St Aubin's Bay and the privacy that comes from its surrounding three acres of parkland gardens. This impressive country house exudes opulence and is the perfect setting for the launch of the galleries’ work in Jersey this month.

One of the featured artists, Orlanda Broom (work pictured) who graduated with an MA in Fine Art from Winchester School of Art (Barcelona) in 1997. After returning to the UK from living aboard 10 years ago, she started working full-time from her London studio. Broom’s main painting practice takes two distinct forms: lush, exotic landscapes and dynamic abstract pieces. Connecting these bodies of work is a strong sense of colour, references to organic forms and the exploration of the mediums she works with. Commissions include a 4x4m centrepiece for the lobby of the new Four Seasons in Downtown New York and a large abstract for the Mandarin Oriental in London.

Whether it’s a huge floral canvas or a plump, virual ‘Crypto Star’ NFT character, it’ll be interesting to see what the union and their engagement with the Jersey artistic community brings.

@quantusgalleryofficial

How did you become a print-making artist?

I served as a Jersey Society of Artists past President & Vice President for 15 years. The society's printing press was an amazing piece of workmanship, that allowed me to print and learn and express myself. I was thankful for an introduction into the thought-provoking printing world.

Did you already have a background in art?

I taught art for six years: Mixed media painting/printing with maple boards, negative & positive space images, collagraphs, life drawing, and poetry & painting. I was originally a window display designer, designing schemes for department stores. The work allowed me to think in 3D (important for printmaking) I also write poetry which creates an even more in-depth painting. I also worked as a courtroom artist. I enjoy quick portraits from 1 hour to ninety minutes in pastel or acrylic. The link from the mind to the hand is a quick explosion of line & colour.

What does this art mean to you?

“This art represents a freedom associated with design, colour and inspiration. It’s a chance to lose oneself & reach a higher level of understanding & thought. The addictive nature of printing opens many ideas in the mind's eye” I hope this small insight into my world of art, design and printing proves to be as interesting as it was to make. Live, Love, Art, Collette x

"Printmaking" is currently exhibiting in the Bar Gallery at Cafejac in the Jersey Arts Centre, an easily accessible place for all to visit. Collette supports Jersey Eyecan “a wonderful unit giving hope to the blind & related eye problems”. She will be donating 10% of her profits from the exhibition to the charity.