Just Wizard – Learn the Secrets of the Harry Potter Book Covers J K Rowling illustrator takes part in Chelsea exhibition of work by 22 Dumfries & Galloway visual artists and sculptors It’s not just the Harry Potter stories that are full of secrets – even the book covers have their fair share. Illustrator Clare Melinsky will reveal some of them during the D&G|OUT James Harvey British Art exhibition in Chelsea from 24-26 April with a preview on the 23rd from 6-8pm. She is among 22 visual artists and sculptors from Dumfries and Galloway taking part in an exhibition designed to raise awareness of south west Scotland as a centre of creative excellence. Clare’s bold, chunky and colourful lino cuts are familiar to millions. She created the covers for the Penguin Shakespeares and, recently, created all the illustrations for a book entitled Poems to Perform, from former Children’s Laureate and Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson. Then there have been several series of Royal Mail stamps, including one produced in 1999 to mark the new millennium. The talk will cover many aspects of her extraordinarily creative life – but there will be a good deal about working with the Boy Wizard. Clare said: “There were many times when I sat up reading the text deep into the night so I could get the illustrations just right. And sometimes I went out in search of places that would give me inspiration. “Many people assume that the picture of platform 9 ¾ in on the back cover of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is from Kings Cross – in fact it’s not, it’s the railway station at Dumfries. And the gravestones on The Deathly Hallows are also from reality, I based them on the old graveyard at Morton in Dumfries and Galloway.” Clare’s talk is on Thursday 24, April from 6-7pm. Seven other exhibitors will also presenting talks or leading workshops. Exhibition visitors can see pieces by Clare and other high-quality artists, including 2010 Threadneedle and Aspect Prize winner Patricia Cain. Patricia has also just won the Royal Watercolour Society Award at the RWS Contemporary Watercolour Competition in London. Patricia, who has a long and close association with the Mall Galleries in London, is known for her exploration of the relationship between man-made and naturally occurring landscapes. After 13 years in Glasgow she moved to Dumfries and Galloway around seven months ago, where she has become part of a vibrant creative community. Patricia said: “I love Glasgow, but my husband Sam and I were itching to get back to a rural landscape. The countryside here is fantastic for me and has already had a profound affect on my work. The vibe here is great and there’s a really strong artistic community, which has been very welcoming – it’s unusual to find a rural area with such a sense of optimism.” D&G|OUT: James Harvey British Art is a Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of Arts initiative supporting Spring Fling, the region’s visual art and crafts movement, as part of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Commonwealth Games Legacy programme. Exhibiting artists have been selected by Spring Fling and Regional Arts Convenor, Kathleen O’Neill on behalf of the Chamber of Arts. Spring Fling is best-known for running Scotland’s premier annual visual art and craft open studios event. Cathy Agnew, Chair of the Chamber of Arts, said: “The range of artists excellence in Dumfries and Galloway is extraordinary. This exhibition is a chance no just to see their work but also meet to meet some of the people. I’m sure there will be lots of excitement about the chance to meet Clare and hear about her career, including how she helped bring the magic of Harry Potter to huge numbers of young readers.” Leah Black, Director of Spring Fling, said: “Names like Patricia Cain will be familiar to many, but what a lot of people don’t realise is how much creativity is concentrated in Dumfries and Galloway. This exhibition is about changing that, and letting people across the UK know that this beautiful region of Scotland has so much to offer to anyone with an interest in art.” Councillor Tom McAughtrie, Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Community and Customer Services Committee, said: “I hope that when people in Chelsea see the wonderful quality of our arts and crafts that they will decide to come to the region and discover more. Spring Fling is an ideal chance for people to come and visit Dumfries and Galloway, to follow the arts trails and see more of this beautiful part of the world.” Gallery owner James Harvey has close family links with Dumfries and Galloway and wants to bring the quality of its arts to the attention of a wider audience. James said: “D&G|OUT features work by some of the best established and emerging artists in south west Scotland, and all the work on show will have a very contemporary feel. It’s an exhibition which will appeal to many people, from those with connections to the area through to anyone with an interest in high quality art at affordable prices.” This year’s Spring Fling visual art and craft open studios event runs from 24-26 May and features 95 artists, makers and designers in studios throughout the region. Clare’s talk, which is followed by one by Katharine Wheeler, is £8 and place can be booked at via spring_fling.eventbrite.co.uk or by calling 01387 213 218 Talks and workshops ● Thursday 24 Night (6-8pm). Tickets £8 Clare Melinsky Talk and demonstration about the renowned illustrators work using lino cut prints. (Clare has designed everything from book covers to wine labels, as well as producing her own work. She is represented by the Central Illustration Agency.) Katharine Wheeler An artist’s presentation centring around personal development but in strong relationship to artistic practice in rural Dumfries & Galloway. ● Friday 25 Night (6-8pm). Tickets £8 Margaret Walty Glorious Detail An artist’s presentation centring around personal development but in strong relationship to artistic practice in rural Dumfries & Galloway Amy Winstanley & Patti Lean Spreading Light on Abstract Painting Creating debate and discussion around abstract painting and its processes. ● Saturday 26 Afternoon (1-4pm . Tickets £8 Adam Booth An illustrated talk about the artist’s work as a blacksmith, using samples showing the transformation of steel in high temperature Lucianne Lasselle Talk with images of modelling a life size clay figure for casting in bronze or resin. Silvana McLean Northlandings An illustrated talk about how travels in Iceland and Shetland have influenced the artist’s work.
Posted on: Tue, 22 Apr 2014 14:42:35 +0000
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