Review of ‘22
A Return to Physical Exhibitions, with Visitors Coming through the Door
2022 was the year when the fruits of lockdown creativity went on show, out in the real world. One of the drivers of lockdown creativity had been social media, especially Instagram, which allowed artists to communicate with each other and show their work. It was a bit of a spiritual and creative lifesaver during the pandemic.
Instagram was a great medium for curators as well, myself included. With more time spent at home, I began discovering artists and taking specialist curatorial courses on Zoom. That is when I had the idea for an exhibition of art exploring aspects of the human condition. I began by reaching out on Instagram to artists whose work intrigued me, asking if they would like to take part in a planned exhibition. The response was overwhelmingly positive and as restrictions lifted, I was able to bring together artworks from eighteen artists for The Human Factor which opened its doors to the public on 5th March. It was great to have gallery visitors once more and it was really special to have many of the artists meet each other for the first time. It was wonderful as well to have so many aspects of being human represented in art. by artists from a wide variety of backgrounds. Looking back now, I realise the exhibition would not have happened without the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the lockdowns.
And so on to Catchment, a solo show of new paintings by Nick Bodimeade which took place at the artist’s studio in July under clear blue skies. The work in this show all derived from the landscape within walking and cycling distance of Nick’s home and studio on the Ouse Floodplain at Hamsey, a lockdown microcosm of nature. News from the wider world was unsettling and we wondered how many - or how few - people would turn out. What followed was a magical three weekends of visitors turning up by car, by bicycle and on foot to see the paintings hung in Nick’s studio, as well as a large shed and (clean) pig shed. Some had driven considerable distances. We soaked up the positive support and interest and ended on a high note when a small crowd gathered to hear Nick’s artist/writer daughter Bryony Bodimeade question him on the the nature of his art. Nick said of the flood plain within the Ouse catchment: ‘ I’m interested in the interconnectedness of things. This place has flowed into me. The fluid oils I work with are connected with the materials of the landscape: the possibilities of paint, colour and the observed, as well as something that can be seen in a bodily way, how I feel it in my gut.’ Monet’s Waterlilies, Hodgkin and Matisse are his chief influences. ‘Abstract painting really developed from Matisse. How to seduce the viewer into an illusionary space, where a flat canvas becomes the equivalent to what you are looking at? What can a painting do? How can an abstract painting tell a story? While water is flat, as is a canvas, stuff exists behind it: reeds come out, there is reflected sky. I’m fascinated by what’s underneath the surface, what lies beneath.’
I concentrated on community projects during the latter part of 2022, having become concerned about the lack of exhibition spaces in Lewes district. One project was Gallery 207. I was approached by the owners of a vacant shop, 207 High Street, wanting to turn it into a very affordable hire gallery. Behind the scenes I consulted on all aspects of operating a community-minded gallery and several months later the empty premises were transformed into the bright and welcoming venue. Once the word went out, I was inundated by requests from artists and makers. It goes to show there is a huge demand for places to exhibit. The gallery opened in September 2022 for Artwave festival with a changing exhibition every four weeks.
Gallery 207 has really helped to enliven the High Street. It’s been popular with both the artistic community and the public. So far, a number of collectives have exhibited: Nu Artists, Lewes Creatives and Scherzo Foundation; also ROSA magazine with a mixed show of Sussex landscapes. Culture on the High Street! Sadly, the days of Gallery 207 are numbered as the building is being sold. However, I continue to advocate for community galleries in the district.. Any ideas welcome.
And finally… you may remember the Celebration Weekend at Berwick Church in June 2021 to mark the installation of the altar reredos painting by Julian Bell. The church, under the direction of the Rev Peter Blee, had been undergoing extensive renovations to improve the interior and restore the murals and frescoes by Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant, Angelica Garnett and Quentin Bell. That weekend celebration gathering led on to a project to re-light the Bloomsbury-painted interior, overseen by Adam Wildi, my colleague in community projects. The project completed in October 2022, with the lighting now at a museum standard. The church is open daily.