|
If
you thought art was all about stuffy galleries, incomprehensible
paintings and generally something you can't afford to buy, then
a visit to Brindley Place this summer may just change all that.
 |
| Hannah
Sassoon's 'Square Rainbow' |
The
BrainCell Artists Collective are holding a number of markets to
promote the work of artists who would otherwise lack the opportunities
to exhibit their work in a public arena.
Filling
a gap
The
BrainCell Artists Collective was set up at the beginning of the
year by joint directors, Tim Thomson and his partner Aimee Hill.
After
graduating with degrees in Fine Art from Wolverhampton University
in 1998, they wanted to do something to fill a gap they feel existed
in the cultural life of Birmingham.
 |
| 'Self-portrait'
- by Aimee Hill |
In
addition, the collective aim to provide the space and resources
for those who have the potential to become artists, but lack the
means to do so.
Currently
the collective consists of an eclectic range of artists from the
Midlands area, young and old. Tim
says:
"There are a wide-range of people from those just starting
out in the art world to one 87-year-old woman who has been doing
art all her life."
Removing
stigmas
 |
| Nick
Williams' 'Alternative Landscape' |
The
collective are particularly focused on promoting the artwork of
mental health service users, which includes those who suffer from
mild depression through to psychosis and bi-polar disorder, as well
as raising money for mental health charities like MIND.
Tim
says: "Mental health is an issue that is cast away in the shadows.
We want to raise awareness and remove the stigmas attached to mental
health."
Getting
the ball rolling
Ultimately,
the collective hope to create a permanent gallery for mental health
service users to display their work, as well as giving the public
a chance to buy their art.
"We
want to give mental health service users opportunities to display
their work, as they may not have the confidence to get their work
out there," says Tim. "We
want to get a permanent gallery and get some good artwork out into
people's homes."
Market
details
 |
| Jacqueline
Rankin's 'Touch stones' |
A variety
of affordable work from around 36 members of the collective will
be available to buy:
Paintings
Illustrations
Sculptures
Jewellery
Ceramics
Bags and cushions
10
per cent of sales will go to MIND, the mental health charity.
The
first one will be held on 27 June 2004 and then on the last Sunday
of every month until October, from 11am - 5pm.
The
opening times for the July and August markets will be extended into
the evening, with Birmingham-based performance artists Ology showcasing
some of their work.
Website
The
collective also have a website which features a gallery of the collective's
work which includes everything from landscape paintings to more
thought-provoking work - click
here.
|
