Fresh is the name given to an artist collective consisting of six emerging artists from Gray's School of Art. The collective consists of: Josie Hudson, Melpomeni Irakleous, Natalie Snedden, Izzy Thomson, Luke Vinnicombe and Katie Watson.
Approaching an exhibition that consists of several artists work can be an interesting one, as it brings in an extra dimension- how do the works relate to each other? Is there a visual relationship? In the case of 'Re-Fresh' there are a variety of mediums from painting, performance, sculpture to moving image. Each artists work had a strong identity- some louder and some quieter.
We were particularly struck with the works of Izzy Thomson, Luke Vinnicombe and Katie Watson. In the second room, within this space there seemed to be a confident dialogue between each of the artists work. Izzy Thomson's practice responds to 'essential nature to create a world that acts as a gentle reminder of earth'. Small canvases acting as peepholes into tales of existences and other worlds. Soft brushstrokes and earth tones lend a feeling of warmth and ease as though we are witnessing dream-like scenes.
Luke Vinnicombe's practice draws upon a similar theme, of a fictional world. Luke uses a colourful palette and chooses playful subject matter, his paintings referring to an alternative world. There was an effective comparison between the worlds of Izzy and Luke, each artist's work playing off of one another inviting us to unfold stories and interpret narratives.
Unlike elements of Izzy and Luke's work, Katie Watson's paintings are void of figuration, instead are landscape based 'combining natural and manmade elements to create foreboding dreamlike spaces that lie on the boundary between civilisation and wildness'. Katie's paintings and drawings feel enticing, presenting wilderness and forestry that feels almost tactile thanks to the use of wax and daubs of oil paint on her larger canvas. Katie's work brings about a child-like want to explore, a need almost, to delve into the woodlands and to peep round the shrubs.
We commend FRESH for sustaining a relationship as a collective and presenting their second body of collective work drawing upon a variety of ever-pertinent themes. However, one small thing- we wish there had been labels or further print material to suggest which work each artist was by.
(Excerpts taken from RE-FRESH print brochure)