- Address: Paul Mc Pherson Gallery Greenwich
- URL: http://www.paulmcgallery.com
- Friday 2nd May 2014 10:00am to Saturday 10th May 2014 5:00pm
Event Description
Beka Smith and Mike Hookey first met when they were at school. Little did they know that this would be the start of a relationship which would help to shape them, not just as individuals but also in their artistic activities. They have exhibited at shows like ‘Top Drawer' and later 'Pulse' as well as at other venues in the country, and they each have a studio in the ever-growing ‘Second Floor Studios & Arts' in Charlton, where they hold their practices.
This show is a unique opportunity to see how both these artists utilise their overall and combined skills. For both artists it's an exciting chance to build on and develop their body of work and styles. There will be a mixture of 2 and 3d work including fine art portraiture, figurative graphic illustration as well as furniture, cabinet making and design-led products.
Beka studied fine art in Bristol and went on to become senior designer and illustrator for a small design company in the iconic Oxo Tower. After success in the BP Portrait Awards she decided to follow her ambition to become a portrait artist. Her paintings have been included in various recent publications, including ‘500 Portraits' by Sandy Nairne, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, and have featured in private and public collections, including Cambridge Colleges, the Society of Antiquaries, The British Academy and several schools.
She later made a conscious decision to diversify from portraiture and put on a show in 2012 in which she developed new ideas and techniques, especially her innovative concept which enables artwork literally to ‘Turn the Corner'. In ‘Hooked and Smitten' she will be exhibiting both her portraiture and these other aspects of her art.
Mike's skills come from a background in engineering. His French grandfather's patents are universally used today. His English grandfather started the family business of precision engineering and moulding, which is now one of the few such companies left in this country.
Mike, who grew up on the coast, became fascinated by surfing and started to make boards for a small company based in Rye, Sussex. He later got his own workshop in the area and started making design-led furniture as well, followed by more broadly-based work. For several years he made furniture for a company called Wood Works, after which he became involved in more practical onsite work for building, in particular refurbishment and renovation, always with a keen eye on detail and the design aspect.
Mike's broad knowledge and range of skills mean that he really is capable of making pretty much anything, to a very high spec, from a fully-bespoke luxury bathroom complete with fitments, to a four-legged fruit bowl.
Each artist has found inspiration in the work of the other, and this show aims to find the middle ground between them, where their individual subjects and styles combine.
Map
Mapping is approximate
Many thanks to Beka Smith who added this event.
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