‘Converge’ Exhibition by abstract artists – Carolyn Hooper, Paul Priestley and Janet Glynn Smith

Feb 28th – Sat April 6th.

Cafe/Gallery open on Wed – Sat 10-4pm (Except Friday after 1pm)

“This  exhibition presents the work of three independent artists working in a variety of media.  Each artist pursues different subjects with an insightful, analytical approach, diverging from original observed images.  The final outcome of this methodology is where the works ‘converge’; both as individual images and as a whole exhibition, their their ‘like minded’ format is plain to see”.

Artists

Carolyn Hooper

Carolyn creates large and small scale abstract artworks in a variety of media, mainly working from her studio at the bottom of her garden.  She currently lives in Taunton, Somerset with her partner and their two sons.

Growing up in Somerset, Carolyn has always had a passion for art and design.  After completing A levels and an Art Foundation course, she went on to study Sculpture at Winchester School of Art.  Her work during this time was mainly textile based, often inspired by natural and organic forms.  Carolyn also explored themes of repetition and obsessive behaviour.

After a long time away from creating, Carolyn has recently started to make art again, in the form of abstract painting, drawing, textile art and collage.  Playing with line, form and colour, her work draws on the shapes and patterns she sees in the world around her, both natural and man made.

Instagram – @carolynhooperart

Currently, Paul is in the process of moving house from Bridgwater to Taunton, but is originally from Bradford, Yorkshire.  He started teaching art way back in the ’70’s and became the Head of Art at a Grammar School.  He held this post for a number of years, before moving into senior management at the same school. In 2000 Paul left teaching to explore new pastures, setting up his own arts business ‘Paul Priestley Arts’, providing art courses and interactive art events.

Paul Priestley

In 2008 Paul began running art workshops in schools. He came up with the idea of delivering the workshops as a famous artist, such as Picasso, Monet, Warhol and many others. Within a few years demand for the workshops outstripped his ability to supply them.  As a consequence he started his own YouTube Channels;

‘PaulPriestleyArt’ which provides videos for beginners on how to paint and draw  youtube.com/paulpriestleyart

‘ArtHistorySchool’ which provides videos that explore the lives and work of great artists youtube.com/arthistoryschool

Along the way, Paul has also painted, and the recent works shown here are something of an experiment. They explore line, colour and shape, together with spatial effects and mixed media, and represent a move away from the work he has painted in the past.

www.paulpriestleyart.com

Janet Glynn Smith

Janet Glynn Smith’s paintings are direct responses to the environment, whether close up and observed, or distant and imagined.  Aerial views, maps and sketchbook studies support her pursuit of images which reflect the world we live in.

Most recently, Janet has become entranced by the ‘colours’ existent in worlds we cannot visit – those of the planets.  Brian Cox has inspired her to pursue the bands of colour surrounding Jupiter, and Quora is next on her list.

BA Hons – West Surrey College of Art & Design

MA – University of Keele

janetglynnsmith53@gmail.com

Note: If you are travelling a long way to view the exhibition it is advisable to check opening times as the centre does host external events from time to time . Email info@ciccic.co.uk