JILL BENNETT: ARTWORK
Where Did You Get that Hat?
Pevensey Bay Art Group Exhibition, Saturday 18 June 2016
A new feature in Bay Life The journal, the monthly ‘hyper-local broadsheet newspaper’ for Pevensey Bay and the surrounding villages is to have a page dedicated to the work of local artists. The page will appear first in the July edition of the newspaper.—Bay Life news network, 20 June 2016
ARTBOARD will feature some of the extraordinary local artwork that goes largely unnoticed in and around Pevensey Bay in the new broadsheet newspaper for Pevensey Bay
Talking about the new Art, Crafts and Photographs exhibition in the second edition of the newspaper, published this Friday (24 June) , Val Racher, who is promoting the new venture says, “Saturday, 27 August 2016 will see the launch of ‘Art, Crafts & Photographs’ a new exhibition that will bring a range of creative arts to the community”
Commenting on the ‘historic parallels’ here, with two roads in parallel named after two major Pre-Raphaelite figures she says ” It is fitting that a new creative arts exhibition is to be launched in Pevensey Bay as it has long been associated with the art world”.
On Saturday (18 June) some of the local artwork that goes largely unseen by a wider audience was on display.
Buried deep in the exhibition, we found this artwork by Jill Bennett, in the form of a card for sale, with Beryl Cooke influences, and in the male character a ‘Lowryesque’ element, but original and with the kind of warmth that we feel makes the artwork special.
Cards that feature the artwork are available for sale by the artist, whose work can be seen at the Art Group held every Wednesday in Pevensey Bay.
Unassuming Jill on Saturday expressed surprise that her work had garnered attention from Bay Life.
We talked to her about the warmth in her artwork and the way in which she utilises figures in her work.
In another work, which features figures in a continental alfresco scene in a cafe, she explained to us how the figures were identifiable to her, based on real people and how much effort goes into the expression of character in her figures,
We explained that in our opinion, the work was of merit and should be made available to be appreciated by a wider audience, and an example of the hidden quality of work that is here with Pevensey Bay.
The exhibition was well organised and of real interest to the many people that attended.
We understand the artwork that comprised the cover of Bay Life: The Journal in the first edition, by local artist illustrator, Jan Barron, sold for twice the asking price.
Line art work by Val Racher sold. A further commission was taken by artist sister, Christine Racher for a private commission from a resident in Pevensey Bay, making her work now both collectible and of note within the community.
Congratulations to the Pevensey Bay Art Group for the quality of exhibition and organisation.
ARTBOARD in Bay Life The Journal will feature some of this work, together with some other art in Pevensey Bay that is attracting attention.
On Saturday August 27 the exhibition Art, Crafts and Photographs looks set to put Pevensey Bay on the map in an interesting way, with the possibility, we understand, of the exhibition becoming an annual event.
The second edition of Bay Life The Journal is available in all good local newsagents this Friday (24 June) and available on subscription as a full digital download on the same day.
IMAGE CREDIT: Jill Bennett: Where Did You Get that Hat?
Pevensey Bay Art Group Exhibition, Saturday 18 June 2016
