Ongoing exhibitions at MASA-UK Art Gallery

Paul Zajciw

I am a Manchester born artist, with decades of experience painting both personally and decoratively. By trade, I am an interior decorator with a specialisation in graining, marbling and murals, with experience working in textile design. I have been painting my whole life, inspired by artists, music and travel. My art has been featured in gallery exhibitions at Hope Mill and the Howarth Gallery.

I find inspiration in many places, and this is always changing. My painting can be inspired by the complex nature of the human face and form, the changeable nature of the urban and industrial landscape, the relationship between light and shadow or by intricate detail in a piece of art. I also draw inspiration and influence from the artists who shaped my own work; from the Dutch masters like Rembrandt, Impressionists like Van Gogh or Freud and Bacon. It is the darkness and complexity of these artists and their works that inspire and permeate my own paintings.

I have trained at Rochdale College in contemporary art and textile and pattern design, with two additional years at Oldham College in textile and pattern design. I was also mentored by Tommy Valentine in both the decorative arts (graining and marbling) and fine art and at one time received hands-on tutoring by LS Lowry.

Paul Zajciw

Title: Spitting Nun

Medium: Oil on canvas

Paul Zajciw

Title: Manchester XIX

Medium: Oil on canvas

Paul Zajciw

Title: Piano Man

Medium: Oil on canvas

Paul Zajciw

Title: Mrs Fairhurst, homage to Theodore Major

Medium: Oil on canvas

SUTHAMMA (TA) BYRNE 

I'm drawn to the complex nature of human nature and the emotions that we possess. I love to blend emotional figurative references with elements of surrealism and create paintings that clearly show emotions through movement or expression.

Picasso and Lowry inspire me; their art is instantly recognisable and resonates with my own impulsive creation of art in its abstract form. I like to express emotion in my paintings, much of which is drawn from my childhood and personal experiences. You'll see that I'm hugely passionate about colour. I love to create paintings that encourage its viewer to stop and explore the depth, or layer, of each piece. I use the finest oils, traditional brushes and my trusty palette knife. I like to feel when I paint. Often, I have the finished piece in my mind's eye before I even start.

Happily, my work is dotted across the world in over fifty three countries. I come from very humble beginnings and a rural farm in northern Thailand. To see my work in homes across Europe, Asia, North America, the Middle East and Australia is thrilling and an honour for me. 

I want my art and people to possess a character that makes them unique and for each painting to be at the heart of a home and provide immense joy and happiness for years to come. 

Suthamma (Ta) Byrne
Title: The Guitarist and Violinist 
Medium: Oil on canvas

Suthamma (Ta) Byrne

Title: Lovers, My Funny Valentine

Medium: Oil on canvas

Suthamma (Ta) Byrne

Title: Lady in a red hat

Medium: Oil on canvas

Jane Fraser

Altrincham based artist, working in various media - mainly oils, but also acrylics, pastel and mixed media. 

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My main inspiration is the landscape, both urban and rural. I love to observe, interpret and record my surroundings. My subjects could be anything from the familiar farmland of my daily dog walks, to the wild grandeur of the Peaks and Lakes, and the spectacular cityscapes and hidden alleyways of Manchester and other northern towns. I’m an enthusiastic member of Manchester Urban Sketchers, and like nothing better than exploring the quirky and forgotten corners of our cities.

Most of my paintings start life as an outdoor sketch, and what really inspires me is the fleeting effect of colour and light. Thoughtful observation reveals beauty and interest in even the most mundane objects, like a refuse bin or a peeling poster. History, too, is a source of fascination, and I always like to find out as much as I can about where I’m sketching and the changes it’s been through.

My paintings can be seen at MASA-UK, on EASEL (the online presence of Manchester Art Fair), and in galleries in Altrincham and Ashbourne. 

Jane Fraser

Title: Quays Panorama

Medium: Oil on mdf board

Jane Fraser

Title: Whitworth Street

Medium:Oil on canvas

Jane Fraser

Title: Old Fire Station, Manchester

Medium: Oil on board

Jane Fraser

Title: Peveril Sunshine

Medium: Oil on board

Christine Southworth

After a rewarding and successful teaching career I took early retirement to fulfil my ambition to become a professional artist working from my own studio in the North of England and in a studio I have in Canada. Several years ago I joined NEO Artist Print Studio;I work there most days producing etchings based on my research and travels. I like to work from life, developing unique interpretations of human and natural forms.

My main passion is for drawing, drawing helps me understand the world I live in and is a natural progression to etching. My favourite material to etch on is copper but I do use zinc and solar plates are ideal for any collage based designs. During  my  career  I  have  been  in  many  exhibitions:  Society  of  Women  Artists,  Mall  Galleries,  The  Royal Birmingham, Manchester Academy and many others. My most notable commission was for Diana, Princess of Wales.

I have  recently  been  awarded  full  membership  of  the  Manchester  Academy  of  Fine  Arts,  and Society of Women Artists. I received the Barbara Tate Award in the 153rd SWA Annual Exhibition.

Christine Southworth

Title: Ravenglass 4

Media: Oil on board

Christine Southworth

Title: Girl in Hat 2

Media: Oil on canvas

Christine Southworth

Title: Freedom

Media: Oil on board

Christine Southworth

Title: Calmness

Media: Oil on board

Mark Beresford

Originally a water-colourist, Mark’s most recent discovery of oil now provides the perfect medium to capture mood and atmosphere of sea, land and city subjects. He likes to pursue subjects that evoke atmosphere, light and ultimately give that ‘sense of place’. Having grown up in the City of Sheffield UK,  Mark has always been fascinated by it’s vibrancy and  busyness. A  reflection of many childhood memories of rain and glimmering lights add to his work. His great escape ………the Isles of Scilly reflects the white sands, blue seas and sheer tranquility of the beautiful isles. Images of which are produced following endless hours of watching rather than study.

Mark  is currently exhibiting in several galleries including London, Cotswolds, Peak District, Berwick on Tweed and Truro. and has  most recently had a collection of works in the Spring Affordable Art Fair , Battersea, London and the Fresh Art Fair, Cheltenham Race Course.

Mark Beresford 

Title: BenthamTower II

Media: Oil on canvas board

Mark Beresford

Title: Manchester Oxford Road

Media: Oil on canvas board

Mark Beresford

Title: As Night Draws In

Media: Oil on canvas board

Mark Beresford

Title: Central Library Manchester

Media: Oil on canvas board

Mike Robinson

Mike Robinson

Title: Flying Over

Media: Acrylic on box canvas

Mike Robinson:

Title: Spinning Too

Media: Acrylic on box canvas

SORRY SOLD

Mike Robinson

Title: Over the top

Media: Acrylic on box canvas

Mike Robinson

Title: The Birdman

Media: Ink on paper

John Dean

I think I have the soul of an artist and the heart of a scientist - or is it the other way round? Perhaps it is better to see them as two sides of the same coin, and in my mind, feeding off each other and giving each other meaning.

After my school and college years I took a break from any idea of further education, but I always knew I would end up with a degree in science, notably physics. I also understood that my principle skill, the talent I was born with was that of an artist, and as much as I ignored it, it was never going to go away. I always saw it as a ‘dark calling’.

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I call it that because I find it easy to do faithful figurative drawings, but I am driven to create something more abstract and imaginative. My art to date is trying or struggling to find a balance between the skill of figurative art and dynamic surreal imagery, but there still is the need to capture deeper meanings and give life to my personal philosophies.

Much of my art is concerned with resurrecting the gods. I love the classics and I am fascinated by how the classic gods seem to be personifications of all our drives, emotions, ethics and skills. I muse over how their stories played out on their celestial stage is manifest in our everyday lives.

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John Dean

Title: Demeter, Gates of Hades

Media: Limited edition Print 6/50

John Dean

Title: Aphrodite, Foam of Life

Medium: Limited Edition Print 21/50

John Dean

Title: Demetier, Gates of Hades

Media: Acrylic on canvas

John Dean

Title: Monocot Fields

Media: Limited Edition Print 5/50

Nigel Stewart

Born in Bury, Lancashire in 1965, Nigel passed his B.A. then M.A. Distinction in fine arts at Northumbria University between 1984 and 1992. It was also in 1992 that he moved to Normandy. Since then he has pursued his vocation as a professional fine artist, exhibiting regionally and in the UK and Germany. His work is found in public and private collections in France, the UK, Germany, United States and Canada.

Nigel’s artwork has a strong emphasis on the human figure, the portrait, and the emotions of the human condition. An interest in memorials and his work in history find their way into some of his work. His approach is increasingly rooted in a traditional approach to studio drawing and painting and the renewal now increasingly seen in the ‘Atelier movement’ - of a return to fundamental principles of crafted artwork techniques, which had been somewhat lost in the latter part of the 20th century.

SORRY SOLD

Nigel Stewart

Title: The Breadmaker

Media: Oil on canvas

Nigel Stewart

Title: Lake District

Media: Oil on canvas

Iwan Evans

Iwan grew up in North Wales where he graduated with a degree in Fine Art. He currently lives in Manchester, which has provided him with a great deal of inspiration. He is fascinated with urban spaces and they tend to be the main focus in the majority of his work.

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Iwan is heavily influenced by film and directors such as Alfred Hitchcock and strives to give his images a cinematic edge. There is sometimes the suggestion of a subtle narrative and a voyeuristic quality which he attributes to his interest in the work of Edward Hopper.

There is a certain amount of tension to Iwan's images. His main subject of work are urban spaces that appear to be deserted or perhaps portray a lone figure. His paintings often have an ethereal quality to them suggesting that they are somewhere in-between reality and a dream state. These factors help to encourage the sense, that perhaps something is not quite right in the image, thus creating a rather dark and brooding atmosphere.

sorry sold

Iwan Evans

Title: Walk

Media: Oil on canvas

sorry sold

Iwan Evans

Title: Autumn City

Media: Oil on canvas

Iwan Evans

Title: Bridge

Media: Oil on canvas

Iwan Evans

Title: Where I go

Media: Oil on paper

Darko Taleski

"I remember the words that my grandmother always said when she saw me how I hold the pencil and how I traced the first line on paper:

You will be an artist."

I started drawing from an early age. Inspiration does not ask me when to came. I get it every time, everywhere, when I walk, when I talk with somebody, when I teach children, when I sleep, when I drink coffee, when I met new people, when I see pleases and thinks over and over again but every time in different way.. Inspiration came like a flash. I remember it and I transform it in an art piece as fast as it come it. Using a storm of emotions during creative process it is my way of giving energy to the art works. 

I usually use acrylic colors mixed with natural materials, paper and cardboard. I like to experiment with different kinds of materials and surfaces. The line in this period is primary in my works. It is usually black one composite with other colors on white background, but the line is always dominated. The line gives a dynamic and more emotion. 

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Trough the art I present the feelings of other people on me, as well my feelings to myself.

SORRY SOLD

Darko Taleski

Title: Hotheaded

Media: Acrylic on board

Darko Taleski

Title: Gazing away

Media: Acrylic on canvas board

Darko Taleski

Title: Wonder

Media: Acrylic on canvas (wooden frame)

Darko Taleski

Title: In Green

Media: Acrylic on paper (framed)

Carl Jacobs

As a child I always loved drawing and painting.  At school, art was always my favourite subject and passing GCE first grade in Art, I went on to do a two year Graphics Course at Ashton-Under-Lyne College of Art, obtaining a North West Regional Diploma in Graphic Art and Design.

I love to experiment with different techniques and ideas and include these in my paintings. Much of my work now is done using acrylic paints which I find really versatile.  They can be used as a thin wash; much the same as watercolours, or thickly in a similar way to oils and the other bonus is a fast drying time which enables me to work spontaneously, without waiting too long for the paint to dry.

I would say that when I begin a piece of work, my aim is not one of total realism, but more of an individual, slightly abstracted feel, which I achieve by fragmenting the image into shapes that echo certain elements in the image and then the painting, in a way takes over and dictates to me how it wants to progress.  I find this way of working really exciting and enjoyable.  

Carl Jacobs

Title: Catolica

Media: Acrylic on canvas

Carl Jacobs

Title: Padstow Harbour

Media: Acrylic on canvas

George Clayton

George Clayton has been painting for most of his life in various mediums including watercolour,oils, acrylics and pastels, as well as experimenting with new techniques and combinations of material .

In recent times his main subject matter has been the human figure. Whether in portraits or life drawing from a model, the figure is a never ending source of inspiration.

George Clayton

Title: Olga the Blue Monet

Media: Watercolour on paper (framed)

George Clayton

Title: Irish Girl

Media: Watercolour on paper (framed)

George Clayton

Title: The Reading Lady

Media: Watercolour on paper (framed)

George Clayton

Title: The Laying Nude

Media: Watercolour on paper (framed)

Olga Lomax

Olga Tsarevska is a Russian born and educated artist who came to England to expand her artistic abilities and is greatly influenced by the scenic views of the North of England where she currently lives.  

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Olga puts great passion into her work which is clearly evident in the fine detail, use of colours and attention to detail of the significant features of the piece.    

A lot of Olga’s art is born from a strong foundation of passion, research and expansive knowledge of the great beauty in this world which many of us just pass by in our busy day-to-day lives.  

Olga Lomax

Title: Manchester ARK

Medium: Oil on canvas

Olga Lomax

Title: Chester city centre

Medium: Oil on canvas