February: CRITICAL MINERALS by Emma Pugmire
"We no longer ground Lapis or Earth Colours but I still regard paint as a critical mineral vital to convey and communicate our understanding of the world. I am influenced by Impressionism, Surrealism, Sci Fi and Fantasy Art and Pop Art. I like to paint and draw my local parks and green spaces. I also take my pictures from magazines, advertising, hotel and hospitality layouts. I rework them to make my own interior landscapes based on associations, feelings and memories. As a Stuckist Artist I think 'Painting pictures is what matters.' I also attend Counterfire meetings at this venue and try to explore political and ecological themes in my work."
March: THREE BAGS FULL by James Straffon
The little boy who lives down the lane presents THREE BAGS FULL - an abridgement of artworks, spanning a decade of painting on West Green walls.
Just the showcase, in which to embrace, possibly purchase, from here and there, a menagerie of notable local beasts, and artful fanfare; briefly released, from their habitat in the hood. To make All Good; the spotted woodpecker; dotty ladybird; got lit lemur. The famous urban fox; kerbside elephant; triumphant Lioness. Not to mention that schoolyard giraffe; rare bird Hornbill; majestic mouflon. Set to rub shoulders with Alexandra of Denmark; Alice of Wonderland; Little Simz of Izzy; Felix the Cat; Duke Ellington; Grace Jones; the late Queen Elizabeth II. Not to forget further puffed pigment, from notable names, that made a mark. STEWY. Mobstr. The Toasters. And some bloke called Banksy.
James Straffon (b. 1966) is a London-based artist whose work explores the intersection of the natural world and urban life. Beginning as a graphic designer, he shifted focus to street art and ecological projects, creating public, free-to-view imagery that engages audiences with issues of conservation, biodiversity, and climate change.
Photo (left) by Veronica Bailey