Current events at MASA-UK Art Gallery
Daniel Riley
Daniel is an artist, inspired by his love of the outdoors and his personal connection with the spaces and places which he experiences. He loves to hike out to remote places away from civilisation and sit and absorb the ambiance of his surroundings.
As a keen photographer he enjoys capturing scenes with his camera; his landscape photographs being artworks in their own right. Back at the studio however, he uses the photographic documentation as references to be abstracted and mixed with his memories of how a place felt. He then strives to communicate the essence of the place through textures, multiply layers of paint and ambiguous forms.
His work can often be minimalistic or reductionist in that he likes to break things down to their base elements to communicate something that is purer and more refined.
Daniel is inspired by the ever changeable light and weather conditions synonymous with the British countryside and the atmospheric conditions found in the moorlands of the Peak District and Pennine Lancashire, Daniel uses texture, tone and ambiguous, abstract forms to communicate how a location felt emotionally rather than aiming to produce a literal representation of the scene.
Daniel Riley
Title: Two Tubs, Bury
Media: Acrylic on canvas
Daniel Riley
Title: Rakewood
Media: Acrylic on board
Daniel Riley
Title: Oxford Road
Media: Acrylic on board
Daniel Riley
Title: Holcombe Moor
Media: Acrylic on board
Daniel Riley
Title: Derwent Valley
Media: Acrylic on canvas
Daniel Riley
Title: City People
Media: Acrylic on board
Hanna Solena El Azzabi
As an artist, I try not to be a passive part of this system. I tinker and shape composite images. I mix mediums and references. I reconstruct meaning through fragmentation at the borderline between the real and the imaginary.
First I deconstruct and then I rebuild, using images which, taken out of their context are no longer sacred but mundane. I always start by collecting bits of materials from video games, movies, and the news to create a new composition inspired by an imaginary picture issuing from popular culture and that I keep in mind throughout the whole process. This obsessive picture had struck me at some time in the past and now it fits in well with the new context I have chosen for it.
To me, everything begins and ends with popular imagery, this great nebula which has shaped us and that we then contribute to shape in our life time.
Hanna El Azzabi
Title: Blue Reflection
Media: Oil on canvas
Hanna El Azzabi
Title: Watching from the sky
Media: Oil on canvas
Hanna El Azzabi
Title: Western Pyramids
Media: Oil on canvas
Hanna El Azzabi
Title: Flesh and Steel
Media: Drawing
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.
Since 1999 Nigel has also worked as a professional tour guide and now gives regular lecture presentations and Normandy history, notably the D-Day landings of 1944 and is the author and co-author of, for the moment, two books on the subject.
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.
Nigel Stewart
Title: Grace
Media: Oil on canvas
Nigel Stewart
Title: The Girl with a Pearl Earing
Media: Oil on canvas
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.
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.
Iwan Evans
Title: Walk
Media: Oil on canvas
Iwan Evans
Title: Bridge
Media: Oil on canvas
Iwan Evans
Title: Autumn City
Media: Oil on canvas
Iwan Evans
Title: Where I go
Media: Oil on paper
Ambrose Avellano
During his career, which has spanned five decades Avellano has worked in many different techniques and styles: creating drawings, watercolours, oils, enamels, acrylics, photography, digital imaging, sculpture, installation, projections, interactive works and found objects.
In 2010 he held a retrospective exhibition in his hometown Gibraltar. Avellano has been commissioned to create public art in Manchester and Lancashire, and portraits of leading politicians in Gibraltar. He was awarded the British Millennium art award in 2000. He also achieved both first and second prizes in Blands centenary photographic competition in 2009.
One of his best known works, "The Triumphal Welcome" was on display in the Main Guard building in John Mackintosh Square, which is the main square of Gibraltar. The painting commemorates an event in that same square in 1963, after chief minister Sir Joshua Hassan and Peter Isola returned from meetings with the UN Committee, in New York, when they declared that Gibraltar would stay British.
Ambrose Avellano
Title: The Lunatic
Media: Oil on canvas
Ambrose Avellano
Title: The Lunatic
Media: Oil on canvas
Ambrose Avellano
Title: Blind, Deaf and Dumb
Media: Oil on canvas
Ambrose Avellano
Title: At the Gates
Media: Oil on canvas
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.
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: Wonder
Media: Acrylic on canvas (wooden frame)
Darko Taleski
Title: Gazing away
Media: Acrylic on canvas board
Darko Taleski
Title: In Green
Media: Acrylic on paper (framed)
Christine Southworth
Christine Southworth
Title: JEN
Media: Oil on board
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: Girl in Hat 2
Media: Oil on canvas
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)
David Bullock
Inspirational watercolor artist David Bullock, from Bury, Lancashire, has been exhibiting at MASA-UK Art Gallery for a while.
He had studied fine art, etching and art history, however abandoned this career to spend the following years working in various professions and businesses. His artistic talents are not only in the visual art: “I have written and performed music throughout my life but have firmly set this aside only playing at home for my own personal enjoyment.”
His art work is concentrated mainly on cityscapes with an attention to old Victorian architecture or any other ancient and elegant structures. He gives a particular focus on the lighting conditions in which his art work is set.
David endeavors to add life and movement to his pieces, where ever possible with the inclusion of figures and vehicles and such helping lure the viewer into the scene.
“I use a slightly modified classical technique requiring patience and dedication but this has led me towards alternative subjects giving me the opportunity to take on larger and more adventurous compositions”.
David Bullock
Title: Rivendale Dream
Media: Oil on canvas
David Bullock
Title: St Annes Square (framed)
Media: Watercolour on paper
David Bullock
Title: Rivendale Discovery
Media: Oil on canvas
