NUMBER FIFTEEN
FRESHMAGAZINE
The Biscuit Factory NCL
THE BISCUIT FACTORY - EUROPE’S LARGEST CENTRE FOR ORIGINAL ART. SEE ART BUY ART LOVE ART.
Free Issue. 10
Autumn 2006
LATEST NEWS
MONICA CID
VETROSPECTIVE06
And yet another sculpture went back down south! North Eastern art venues like the Biscuit Factory are receiving customers from wider a field thanks to the excellent work of organisations as One North East and NGI, which have put Newcastle-Gateshead on the map. Only a few months ago a bronze by the London based artist Michael Speller was purchased at the Biscuit Factory only to move back to a North London home.
Monica Cid was the 1000th artist to exhibit in the Biscuit Factory since its opening in 2002. Her work shows a great talent for observation, her exhibition has proved as popular as the previous 999 artists!
The MA Glass from the University of Sunderland surprised us once again by the great amount of talent, with one of the pieces sold before the official opening.
More recently one of Antonio Lopez Reche’s more challenging works: a magnificent 7ft. Minotaur moved to a Hertfordshire garden. The Minotaur had been on display at The Biscuit Factory and proved to be very popular with our customers. When this couple, on a weekend trip to Newcastle saw the piece, they decided to purchase this outstanding work. The Biscuit Factory continued its commitment to photography with a chance to see the graduate work from the HND Photography course at Newcastle College and an opportunity to spot up and coming talent in the North East. In June The Biscuit Factory was host to the successful DebRA fundraising event for adults and children in the North East who suffer from EB. With guest speaker Michael Portillo the evening formed a key part in kick starting the appeal.
WHAT’S BEEN 2
Front cover | Johnny Jetstream ‘Utah’
FRESHMAGAZINE THEBISCUITFACTORY NCL
AUTUMN EXHIBITION 9th August - 1st December
HELIOS
26th October - 26th November The Biscuit Factory will be hosting Helios for the third year running. Come and view the work of post–graduate students in this unique collaboration between Universities and Colleges in the Northern region. It is a great opportunity to view exciting new work from a selection of emerging artists within the medium of photography.
Mychael Barret’s work has started many a chuckle at The Biscuit Factory, the cleverly constructed scenes are full of detail and wit. We will be exhibiting Mychael’s original work in 2007 but here’s a preview of his latest prints. The Biscuit Factory will be showcasing a complete body of work by Enrique Azocar, a talented Chilean artist who has settled in Tynedale with his family. Azocar has worked in New York and London and now his work is recognized and celebrated throughout the North East.
The Biscuit Factory often gets complements on the friendliness and knowledge of their staff. That they are also talented artists in their own right is proven in this combined exhibition of Karen Tait, Fran Hudson and Lisa Corken. Photography in this exhibition comes from Johnny Jetstream, Amanda Kennington and Judy Thomas.
www.thebiscuitfactory.com
Royden Astrop was the very first artist working from our studios in 2002. Since then we have seen his work evolve from his well known daisies over starry skies to beautiful poppy fields. It is with great delight that we invite him once more to the Biscuit Factory. Anja Percival’s prints with their entrancing light have been well appreciated by our customers for a while now. Anja moved to Copenhagen in 2005 to experience printmaking in other cultures. This is the first body of work created on foreign soil.
2ND NORTHERN CONTEMPORARY ART AUCTION Thursday 28th September - 7.00-9.00pm
After the success of the first auction in April, The Biscuit Factory, in collaboration with Jim Railton Auction House is holding the 2nd Northern Contemporary Art Auction. The highlight of this auction will be the sale of the complete collection Lizzie Rowe’s paintings from the Theatre Royal. If you want to put an artwork into the auction the cut off date is the 31st of August. For details go to the webside: www.northerncontemporaryartauctions.co.uk
COMING UP
3
ROYDENASTROP It has been nearly two years since Royden Astrop had an exhibition at the Biscuit Factory. Then Royden’s work was of vast skies with explosive poppies and daisies scorched onto canvasses using fire and high-pressured air. In his latest body of work, however, much of the chaos and destruction that so embodied his earlier work is absent. Replaced instead with a calmness and depth of narrative which is much more expressive and fluid. The subject of poppies may be the same but that is where any similarity ends, for in Big Sky Country, it is evident that Royden’s techniques and materials have developed dramatically in recent years. His early work concentrated on large poppies exploding onto random skies. In Big Sky Country, the foreground is much reduced, with more emphasis placed on texture and tone. There is far more movement and direction in the skies with great swirls of stalks and poppies creating waves that fold in on themselves. Royden freely admits, that his new work shows a more developed
ROYDEN ASTROP | It comes in waves
4
sense of maturity and technical ability, which he attributes to two years of painting a wide variety of private commissions. ‘This work is far more expressive,’ says Royden. ‘The skies and poppies work much closer together to create an overall feeling. This feeling changes quite radically between each painting. ‘The colour palette and techniques used in each painting are obviously the same but I’ve portrayed the subject in different moods, expressing different feelings. ‘I don’t see a poppyfield when I’m painting – I see blocks of colour expressing emotions and feelings. I’m not trying to paint how a poppyfield looks rather how it feels.’ Royden’s paintings are an emotional response to how he is feeling on any given day. They develop organically and with this new body of work, he has found the confidence to let that happen much more freely – to allow the work to grow rather than restrict or constrain it. ‘My earlier work was much more explosive,’ explains Royden. ‘It was about portraying the black and white of my world – life or death, war, destruction and my self-absorbed struggle to
make something beautiful out of the turmoil in my head. ‘Now I understand that creativity can also come from calmness and my work has become about construction rather than destruction.’ Instead of the explosive techniques, Royden has started working with brushes for the first time. Big Sky Country is the first body of work in which he has applied the paint in a more traditional way and slowed the whole process down. ‘I’ve reached a point in my life where I’m much more comfortable with myself. My life and the way I work are much calmer. ‘Painting continues to be my catharsis – but I no longer feel the need to expose my inner chaos. I no longer need to explain myself through my work – my paintings simply exist in their own right. ‘This new body of work marks the next step on the path to bettering myself in terms of the quality and accomplishment in my paintings. I am, afterall, only at the very beginning of that journey.’
ROYDEN ASTROP | But after the storm
LIZZY ROYDEN ASTROP | Summer skiesROWE | Moonlight Feathers
5
ANJA PERCIVAL | (above) Cafelight VIII, (right) Urbanlight II
ANJA PERCIVAL Anja is a printmaker, and the majority of her work combines collagraph and etching techniques to build up multilayered imagery with rich, textural surfaces. Her prints utilise both representational and abstract elements, to produce images that portray her experience of the landscape. “I am fascinated by the different atmospheres that light creates in both our rural and urban environments.” Anja saw her temporary relocation to Copenhagen as a challenge; to motivate and push forward her work. She wanted to experience 6
different printmaking cultures, to be in new surroundings and meet new people… above all, she was seeking change.
place of work. In the evenings they line the residential streets, and form silhouettes outside the many softly lit cafes, which also feature in my images.”
“The body of work that I have produced whilst in Denmark is a mixture of ‘old and new’: I’m still very interested in the different atmospheres that light creates, however all the images are now based on the ‘urban’ scenery of Copenhagen, leaving behind for the time being more ‘natural’ motifs. The chosen subject matter follows on from my previous work in Newcastle… stations re-appear, but I have also included elements of the Danish ‘everyday’; for example, bicycles! They’re everywhere, appearing daily like a sea of handlebars outside every metro station and
Anja still sometimes combines collagraph and etching techniques to build up multilayered imagery with a richer, more textural surface, but the majority of the prints are from single etching plates. The main development is her incorporation of the ‘sugar lift’ technique, which gives the result of a solid black mark, rather like drawing with black ink. This has taken her back to using her drawing skills, and needs a much more spontaneous and fluid approach.
www.thebiscuitfactory.com MYCHAEL BARRETT | Waterloo Sunset - top right - Life imitating Art VIII
Mychael was born in Toronto, Canada and has been living and working in London, UK since 1984. “My work reflects a passion for drawing and reading. I draw from memory and my imagery will often depict people I know and things that I have seen. There is an underlying narrative element in each piece, which is important although not always immediately apparent. The titles often provide keys to the narrative and are such a central part of the creative
MYCHAEL BARRET process that they are usually conceived at the same time as the image. I am greatly influenced by literature, theatre, films and art history and my work is peppered with references to all of these. I am a commissioned artist for Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and do some pieces every year specifically for the plays they are staging. He was made a fellow of the Royal Society of Painter/Printmakers (R.E) in 2002.
my favourite view of the Thames looking west from the middle of Waterloo Bridge. ‘Life Imitating Art VIII’ is the latest in an ongoing series where contemporary views of London are juxtaposed with figurative references lifted from art history. In this one the setting of Battersea Park within walking distance to the dog’s home was central to the choice of references.’
‘Waterloo Sunset’ loosely refers to the song by The Kinks and depicts 7
ENRIQUE AZOCAR | Flying Dreams
ENRIQUE AZOCAR | Embracing
ENRIQUE AZOCAR
A talented Chilean artist who has settled in Tynedale with his family. Enrique has worked and exhibited in New York. His work is now becoming increasingly popular in the North-East. Visions “Exploring the Quayside makes me feel that it’s time to continue to move on with my painting into a more personal and creative kind of work .For this purpose I use strong bold colours mixing them in marble powder and gold. I have chosen this subject because I feel the sense of unity from the people of the North East and how proud they are to be part of the developing region. Some of my paintings reflects this unity, others simply are in interpretation of how I see my subjects.”
CHRISTINE SEITERLE | Coloured Windows
8
KAREN TAIT | Seashore
www.thebiscuitfactory.com
LISA CORKEN | Elegant nude on Red
FRAN HUDSON, LISA CORKEN AND KAREN TAIT You’ve visited the Biscuit Factory, you met our staff team but did you know many of them are artists in their own right? Here is the work of three of them: FRAN HUDSON | Passport Cameo
Francesca Hudson “In my paintings I try to acknowledge that, politically and visually the English have been getting it wrong for centuries, but we are quite able to laugh at our own ignorance and pomposity. We are great at exercising the English brand of smug, self-contempt.”
Lisa Corken “I often return to working with the nude because of the vast subtleties in the skin tones that hint at the underlying form beneath the structure of the figure. Working with a subject matter that essentially never changes in structure and has a fundamental continuity of form, regardless who the model is, allows an immense freedom to explore the media and its methods of application.”
Karen Tait Using my own photography of water taken in various environments, I look at the effects that the current and the sunlight has on the water and the underlying subject matter of the stones, both of which can cause distortion to the image and bring it in and out of focus, sometimes revealing abstract patterns which one normally would miss.
BRIAN PIKE | Coloured Windows
9
PHOTOGRAPHY
Judy Thomas The work of Judy Thomas explores notions of beauty and chance. The images she creates are accidents embraced. Cameras are made out of rubbish, usually old cans. These are left in urban locations; where they are disturbed, blown around, tampered with and often disappear entirely. This all adds to the element of chance. The transparent nature of the work is very dreamlike. There is a quality of something ghostly and magical. 10
The viewer is invited to speculate what they see and question what is real and what is imagined. The locations seem familiar yet otherworldly, evoking memory and association. They are transparent, timeless and temporal – an antidote to the digital world, poetic, fragile places of intimacy and the inexplicable. JUDY THOMAS | Colloseum
The buildings in these night photographs appear occupied with a life force of their own. Kennington’s dramatic use of vivid colours and glowing light give the images a supernatural quality. The vacant buildings are transformed into monumental structures looming over us in the night. .
TAKE 4 PHOTOGRAPHERS | Malcolm Sewell Dahlia AMANDA KENNINGTON | Rake Lane, New York
www.thebiscuitfactory.com
Amanda Kennington: Exposure Newcastle born Amanda J Kennington completed her MA in Photography at Sunderland University, 2005. She explores the abandoned buildings that exist on the outskirts of towns and cities. Deserted buildings remain trapped in a purposeless existence, waiting for their demolition or regeneration.
Johnny Jetstream: Just Deserts “I was born in Newcastle but spend my time either in the capital cities or in the desert. I am a trained artist and have a very distinctive, almost architectural, way of seeing the world. For this exhibition I have visited many of the beautiful national parks in the South West of the USA. However, most of the shots come from the ‘in-between places’ that can be found on the roadside or behind gas stations. Few people notice them and they are the real gem of the Mojave and Navajo deserts.”
JOHNNY JETSTREAM | Joshua
11
TAMSIN HOWELLS Many of our visitors have stood in front of the glass display cabinet admiring the playful work of Tamsin Howells. Calling her jewellery and her use of materials original is an understatement. Tamsin encapsulates fabric by means of lamination, resin is used to sandwich the fabric in between the acrylic plastic. The pieces are then cut out to the required shape and formed by heating the plastic. A great opportunity to purchase some very unique and inexpensive pieces. Prices range from ÂŁ19 to ÂŁ106.
Spotty Floral Range This range is inspired by the 1950s. Using old and vintage fabrics, each item is part of a limited edition. The Spotty floral range is a series of neckpieces, cuffs, brooches and earrings which can be purchased as a matching set or as separate pieces.
12
Shirt Button Cuffs These are made from stripy shirt fabric. They are inspired by formal business shirts. Each cuff is decorated with individual buttons. Brooches and earrings complete the set.
FRESHMAGAZINE THEBISCUITFACTORY NCL
PERFECT VENUE
The Biscuit Factory has a light, airy ambience that sets the scene for whatever celebrations lie ahead. You can hire rooms. The Glasshouse can hold a maximum of 40 people or hold corporate functions catering for up to 500 people within the Gallery(this can be hired entirely or split into sections) and have drinks receptions, buffets and presentations, all surrounded by inspiring art. Food and drinks are available from our own Byker Vista Café, or buffets and canapés can be arranged from the renowned Brasserie Black Door.
Past Events Birthday Party ‘I celebrated my 50th birthday with a party at the gallery and everything about the evening was perfect.’ Jane Cunliffe Celebration of the Jonny Kennedy Memorial Appeal ‘A pleasure to work with… most professional and accommodating.’ Martine Gray, DebRA Fundraising Manager, June 6th 2006 Independent Women Networking ‘Thank you so much for helping us organise such a brilliant event. We couldn’t have done it without you!’ Barbara Oliver ‘All About You’ & Alannah Allan ‘NUNU’, July 6th 2006 For all event enquiries please contact Libby Lindley Email: libby@thebiscuitfactory.com Tel: 0191 261 1103 10
DebRA fundraising event
FRESHMAGAZINE THEBISCUITFACTORY NCL
BYKER VISTA CAFÉ With stunning views over the Ouseburn Valley to the River Tyne and Byker, our café is an ideal setting to sit back relax and treat yourself to a cup of coffee and a piece of cake. The big terrace with awning is the perfect place to enjoy the last of the good weather with a light lunch and glass of wine. Now enjoying longer opening hours, the café is an excellent choice for evening drinks and snacks with after a busy day at work whilst watching dusk fall over the valley. All are dishes are freshly made for you by our friendly staff. Available for evening hire, the café is a perfect venue choice for special parties and informal corporate events.
10
GALLERY
Finn Brown | N. De Graaff I | Oil | 69X58 | £795
16
www.thebiscuitfactory.com
ANTONIO LOPEZRECHE Dance| Bronze | £2000
17
PARESHNRSHINGA
Diamond Charm | Acrylic | 183X76| £850
MARK HALL 18
Form | Bronze | £3000
www.thebiscuitfactory.com
RAMONDO MARTINIGLIZIAS
Bluescape| Oil | 74 X 18 | £285
KATHRYNPEARCE Small Pointed Saturn Bowl| Glass | £75 19
IRYNA KLYBA
Nude| Oil | 132 X 97 | £4100
Catch| Ceramics and Glass | £200 20
MANDY LONG
Washed Up | Ceramics and Driftwood | £750
www.thebiscuitfactory.com
ANNE MORRISON
SUE HOWELLS
Birds of a Feather | Watercolour | 61 X 76 | £260 21
JOHN WATLING The Cuilins from Elgon Beach, Skye | Acrylic | 35 X 35 | £1900
KERRY ROSE Purple Flowers | Acrylic | 66 X 66 | £350
PHILIP HEARSEY Table | Metal and Wood | £975 22
Coldtown Fell Redlsdale | Mixed media | 80 X 80 | £795
www.thebiscuitfactory.com
MIKE BELL
SARAH-JANE SZIKORA
Let in Rain| Signed and framed print | 66 X 66 | £320
SVAJA
La Défense | Plate | Glass | £515 23
DAVID COHEN Raku Flask | Ceramics | £175
DAVID SHANAHAN
Waiting For Godot| Oil | 63 X 43 | £1500
24
www.thebiscuitfactory.com
TONY WHITE Tulips in Eden | Ceramics | £195
YURI PAVLOV Sphera| Oil | 120 X 80 | £??
25
MONICA CID Confidant Woman | Mixed media | 162 X 110 | £750
26
EMMA HOLLIDAY Long Sands | Acrylic | 63 X 89 | £1200
PEACE OF MIND
Pom 925 | from £30
www.thebiscuitfactory.com
GUILIANA LAZZERINI
Four Tuscan Hills | Acrylic | 48 X 38 | £2750
ROZ BULMER
LISA HOUSE
Storm | Acrylic | 80 X 80 | £635
Shooting the Pin | Bronze on Marble | £3500 27
CLAIRE MONEY Summer Break | Acrylic | 33 X 43 | £250
JOHN BRENTON Dogwalker | Acrylic | 26 X 36 | £3000
28
ANTONIA SALMON Lifting Form | Ceramics | £600
www.thebiscuitfactory.com
REBECCA PELLY-FRY Purple Mountains | Acrylic | 39 X 28 | £520
SUZANNE PARTIDGE A Clear Day | Acrylic | 50 X 50 | £600
STEPHEN NEWBY Fluid Mirror| Aluminium | 12 X 12 | £560
29
CHRISTINE SEITERLE Bicycle | Oil | 51X66 | £1000
ROBIN CLARE
2 Chairs on Yellow Pattern | Acrylic on Canvas | 50 X 40 | £300
PAUL HUDSON Iron Age Hill Fort | Ceramics | £100 30
FRESHMAGAZINE THEBISCUITFACTORY NCL THE PERFECT VENUE The Biscuit Factory is at the forefront of creativity and has a light, airy ambience that sets the scene for whatever discussions lie ahead. You can hire rooms, hold corporate functions within the gallery, and have drinks receptions, buffets and presentations, all surrounded by art.
WEDDING LISTS Whether you want to choose your list and ask guests to purchase or contribute to certain pieces of art, or whether you would just like friends and family to make donations which will be presented as a gift voucher, anything is possible. To find out more, call the gallery at 0191 261 1103.
PORTRAIT SERVICE We now provide a popular portrait service which is ideal for anyone who is looking to buy an original, personal and extra special gift. We are open to requests and you can commission 1 of 10 resident artists of your choice.
FRAMING Whether you’ve bought something from us and you would like to change the frame, or have something of your own that you would like framing, our bespoke service allows you to choose the style, colour and size that best suits your taste.
COMMISSIONING Have you got a special gift to buy, but can’t think what? If so, commissioning an artist from The Biscuit Factory could be the perfect solution for you.
GIFT WRAPPING The Biscuit Factory offers a popular and inexpensive gift wrapping service to make your gifts even more special.
GIFT VOUCHERS If you want to give someone a present to remember, you’ll be pleased to know we offer a popular gift voucher service.
CARDS Make someone’s day with a creative card from the Biscuit Factory. Choose from hundreds of original designs, including beautifully crafted greeting cards and postcards featuring contemporary art from the Gallery.
CAFE We have recently extended the Byker Vista Café with stunning views over the Ouseburn Valley to the River Tyne and Byker. The new opening times are: Sunday and Monday 11am - 5pm Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 8pm It is a great place to meet up with friends or just to relax over a cup of coffee and cake while you think about where that painting or sculpture will go in your house. RESTAURANT With an award-winning combination of stunning cuisine, impressive service and a friendly atmosphere, all surrounded by cutting-edge art, Brasserie Black Door at the Biscuit is a must. To make a reservation, call 0191 260 5411. OWN ART Interest-free credit on the Own Art Purchase plan is available at The Biscuit Factory. CREDIT The Biscuit Factory acknowledges financial support for the refurbishment of the building from: One North East / TyneWear Partnership /Newcastle City Council Tyne and Wear Development Company / Preparing for Change
THE BISCUIT FACTORY is so much more than a place to browse at, and buy art. We’ve got a convenient and professional framing service, stylish conference facilities, a stylish café with terrace, a mouth-watering restaurant, plus many other versatile services. Take a look at what’s on offer, and if you still can’t see what you’re searching for, don’t hesitate to call us because our doors are always open to creative ideas, no matter how large or small they may be. MAILING LIST Be one of the first to find out about forthcoming events at the Biscuit Factory. Just send your name, address telephone number and e-mail address to art@thebiscuitfactory.com or to the address below and we’ll keep you posted. OUR WEB-SITE www.thebiscuitfactory.com is a great way to preview artist’s work before you take a trip down to Stoddard Street. It is also a quick and easy way to find out about the events and exhibitions at The Biscuit Factory from the comfort of your home. OPENING HOURS Sunday and Monday 11.00am till 6.00pm Tuesday to Saturday 10.00am till 8.00pm Entrance is Free. Editor’s Notes Location : Ten minutes walk north of the Quayside and the Millennium Bridge (see map) Nearest metro: Manors FRESH MAGAZINE PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR. NEXT ISSUE AVAILABLE AUGUST 2006. DISTRUBUTED THROUGHOUT NORTH ENGLAND ALL INFORMATION CORRECT AT TIME OF PRINT. DESIGN | BRANDING BY NAME WWW.NAME-SITE.COM GALLERY PHOTOGRAPHY BY PHILIP RYOTT PRINTED BY BAKE © 2006 THE BISCUIT FACTORY ALL ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT: 0191 261 1103 | EMAIL: art@thebiscuitfactory.com WEBSITE: www.thebiscuitfactory.com
The Byker Cafe at The Biscuit Factory
Fireplaces by The Marble Works 0191 461 0448
31