Mind Changelings

Tim Harrold and John Espin will be exhibiting at St Catherine’s Church (Princess Margaret Avenue, East Tilbury RM18 8PB) from 15 – 30 July (3-7pm daily), as part of the Thurrock Art Trail and Essex Summer of Art. Their exhibition is entitled ‘Mind Changelings’.

Tim is an expressive arts graduate with performance art experience gained at Brighton Polytechnic from 1982-5. He has worked as an art tutor in both secondary and further education, and as a community and youth worker using creativity in contemplative installations.

Tim creates assemblage and photomontage by intentionally arranging found objects and words from a variety of sources into serendipitous tableaux. New metaphysical narratives emerge; playful perceptual parables appear; and re-imagined worlds on rediscovered natural materials or in recycled boxes full of unlikely juxtapositions hint at hidden realities.

He says, ‘My work is parabolic and numinous; where the conceptual meets the spiritual there is the “perceptual”.’

John was born in the mining village of Rossington in South Yorkshire. He moved with his family to Essex in the 1960's. On leaving state education he worked in an advertising studio in Central London. He was disillusioned with the advertising world and obtained a place on a foundation course in art in Thurrock, Essex and went on to obtain a fine arts degree at Maidstone College of Art.

He says, 'My work exists somewhere between painting and sculpture, despite being wall-mounted and marked with colour. Anything can be a starting point – an object, a word, found printed images or text, a photograph...'

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Jimi Hendrix - Angel.

Exhibitions update: Zi Ling, Rob Floyd & Tim Harrold

Zi Ling has won the Leathersellers First Prize of £1000 to a young artist with her painting 'Rikishi' at the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours 2016 Exhibition at the Mall Galleries. The exhibition is the 204th by the RI and continues until Saturday 16th April. 

Ling creates portraits or explorations of relationships by working from photographs with which she feels an intuitive connection. Previously Ling has had work in the Lynn Painter-Stainers Prize 2016, Columbia Threadneedle Prize exhibition, the Sunday Times Watercolour Competition exhibition, and Society of Women Artists (where she won the Rosemary & Company Art Prize); all at Mall Galleries. Click here to see examples of Ling's work.

‘Stations of the Resurrection’ is an exhibition by Rob Floyd in The Well and Other Areas of Liverpool Cathedral until 15th May 2016, 09:00 – 18:00 (each day).

Rob Floyd brings his distinctive painting style to Liverpool Cathedral in this specially commissioned exhibition that follows on from the acclaimed ‘Stations of the Cross’ cycle previously displayed at Manchester Cathedral.

Speaking ahead of this exhibition, Rob said, “The Stations of the Resurrection is far less well known or, indeed, established than the Stations of the Cross, perhaps this extra layer of mystery appealed. Certainly Liverpool Cathedral being the Cathedral Church of the Risen Christ made the idea of the project feel right.”

The impressive art series has been created with the artist’s preferred medium, oil on canvas. Rob said, “For me oil paint has a visceral, living, even mystical property which I feel has an incredible power and, indeed, life of its own.”

“Painting has always been my means with which to attempt to engage with the Divine. From as early as I can remember I have always felt that the world is inherently full of meaning and I’m thankful that I have never been touched with that modern ‘existential angst’ of being all alone in a meaningless universe. Having the opportunity to directly engage in producing a Stations of the Cross cycle and now the Stations of the Resurrection has been an incredible opportunity and an amazing journey, both in terms of my artistic and spiritual development. I have been shown great kindness and support from the cathedral which has been quite overwhelming.”

The Perceptualist Eye is an exhibition by Tim Harrold at The Wellhouse Gallery from 15 May to 10 June 2016.

Tim defines ‘Perceptualism’ as ‘the place where the conceptual and the metaphysical meet’, and comes from the word ‘perceive’. The Perceptualist Eye is therefore about a way of seeing, a worldview, a certain perspective.

Informed by his Christian Faith and inspired by his pilgrimage through life with Jesus, many of Tim’s pieces are in some way ‘visual parables’ – they have meanings that work on a number of levels.

Working mostly with mixed media, Tim brings together ‘found objects’ and rearranges them into new contexts, scenes and stories. Tim often incorporates words in the images he creates. This reflects his loves of graphic design and writing, especially ‘found poetry’.

Methods used by Tim are:

• Assemblage – 3-dimensional pieces and ‘worlds in boxes’
• Photomontage – collages using images and words from printed materials
• Photography – using primarily the iPhone Hipstamatic app which allows in-camera treatments
• Installation – larger, conceptual ‘pop-up’ works that have an interactive element, which can include sound

Tim’s repertoire covers the commercial and the not-so-commercial. His art is not just about the intrigue of the visual but also the idea behind the image.

From 9 July Tim will also be part of a joint exhibition with John Espin, as part of Thurrock Art Trail, in the small but perfectly formed ancient pilgrimage church St Mary the Virgin Parish Church in Little Thurrock, Grays. Both shows will feature new work, and the latter will hopefully show some larger pieces that have not been previously seen before in public owing to space.

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Blessid Union of Souls - Peace And Love.

Stillness Speaks

Tim Harrold, John Espin and Michael Murphy are exhibiting in ‘Stillness Speaks’at Romford Quaker House (7 Balgores Crescent, Gidea Park RM2 6AB) from Saturday 31st October to Sunday 1st November (10.00am – 4.00pm). Their exhibition is supported by an exhibition of art from children of Quaker members. Presentations by the artists can be heard on Sunday 1st November from 12 noon.

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James Morrison - Demons.

ArtWay meditation: The Doors of Perception

Having made the initial introduction, I'm very pleased to see that John Espin and Tim Harrold's assemblage The Doors of Perception features as this week's ArtWay meditation.

The assemblage contains four themes which use images of water, a lion's roar, white stones, and stars.

The title is taken from William Blake's statement that 'If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, infinite':

'The title came after the completion of the piece. Doors connect each of the four scenes. Each door leads to somewhere else. Doors to be knocked on and doors to be opened. Jesus said, ‘I am the door,’ the Gateway for the sheep.'

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Dry The River - Everlasting Light.

Assemblance

Two Christian artists, John Espin and Tim Harrold, are holding a joint exhibition of their work at the newly opened Well House Gallery in Horndon on the Hill.

The gallery is run by Lisa Anderson of the 24-7 Prayer Boiler Room in Stanford-le-Hope. She is an arts graduate who attended Thurrock Technical College's Art Foundation Course and Art College in Ipswich.

For more information about the gallery, please see http://www.wellhousegallery.co.uk and https://www.facebook.com/wellhousegallery.

The exhibition is called Assemblance. It ends on Friday 21 November.

Opening times:
Monday - Tuesday: 10-12am and 1-5pm
Wednesday - closed
Thursday - Saturday: 10-12am and 1-5pm
Sunday: 2-4pm

On show at Assemblance is a piece John and Tim were recently commissioned to make by ENAS (Essex Network of Artists' Studios). It is called The Doors of Perception and was shown in September at the ENAS show Traces in Hadleigh Old Fire Station, and then at the High House Artists' Studios in Purfleet as part of the Thurrock Art Trail.

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MxPx - I'm Ok, You're Ok.

Assemblance

John Espin - http://www.john-espin.co.uk/. Tim Harrold - http://www.essexstudios.org.uk/users/tim-harrold. Well House Gallery - https://www.facebook.com/wellhousegallery.

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Edward Artemiev - Meditation.

The Doors of Perception in Traces

Tonight I saw 'The doors of perception' by John Espin and Tim Harrold in the Traces exhibition at Hadleigh Old Fire Station. The artwork in this show has been organised and commissioned by ENAS (the Essex Network of Artists' Studios). Hadleigh Old Fire Station is now a gallery space and studios. Traces will end on 14th September.

It is apt that this exhibition, entitled Traces, takes place in this recently re-purposed venue. Much of the selected work featured here deals with places, spaces and identities which formulate and shift through time. This exhibition constitutes one of a number of projects, events and opportunities occurring in the first year of the ENAS initiative which reflects upon these themes; as starting points from which to promote and highlight the work of Essex artists and to ensure that Essex retains and builds upon its reputation as a destination for visual artists.

The artists in Traces were selected in pairs through commissioning opportunities offered by ENAS, to identify other artists with whom they would benefit from a creative dialogue and who are working in complementary ways across a spectrum of theoretical or practical interests. Each of these commissions was designed to allow the artists to develop their networks, test out ideas, take risks, explore new ways of working and broaden their scope of work.

The brief John and Tim were given was simply to produce a three-dimensional artwork in partnership with someone else to sit on a plinth 90com high and 45cm by 45cm. They made a mixed-media 'assemblage' with four scenes so the piece has to be viewed from all sides. There are four themes within the piece, but each is related to another through certain obvious - and not so obvious - visual commonalities.

There is a strong sense of parable about each diorama. Visually, the scenes may at first appear fantastic, childlike, or surreal, but they are intentionally poetic with an oblique narrative. The themes were developed through prayer, direction and creative contemplation, eventually becoming the whole that is The Doors of Perception. They both believe that creativity is a prophetic activity that both interprets and requires interpretation. When Jesus told parables, not everyone 'got' their meaning, nor did he reveal their meaning to everyone. John and Tim hope that the piece will thus reveal to those with eyes to see and ears to hear.

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Patti Smith - The Tyger.

Thurrock Art Trail

Tim Harrold is lead facilitator of this year's Thurrock Art Trail (ThAT). He writes that he's involved because he is an artist and because he believes that 'art can be helpful in transforming a community and building community at a social level.' He quotes J. John: 'Creativity has been built into every one of us: it is part of our design. Each of us lives less of the life God intended for us when we choose not to live out the creative gifts God gave us.' Tim says, 'We are all creations of the Creator, created in His image, to be creative! Remember, the first person in the Bible to be described as having been filled by the Holy Spirit was an artist - Bezalel, who worked on the Tabernacle.'

ThAT takes place from 6 to 21 September 2014. Four local churches are involved:

• Grays Methodist Church 6-12 September - Art & Photography Show
• St Mary's, North Stifford 13 September - Art at St Mary's
• Gateway People's Centre 18 & 20 September - GPC Arts & Crafts
• St Stephen's, Purfleet 20-21 September - Local Art & Photography

Tim notes that there are a whole host of Christians involved, obviously in the aforementioned venues, but also in others. These include:

• Lisa Anderson (painting & proprietor) and Kwok Lee (natural sculpture) at Well House Gallery, Horndon on the Hill, 6-21 September
• Dennis Brockhurst (photography), John Espin (multi-media) and Tim himself (assemblage) at High House Artists' Studios, Purfleet 19-21 September

He says, that there are no doubt many others that he doesn't know about!.

At the Showcase event on the evening of Friday 19 September, among those performing are former worship leader at Grays Baptists, Gareth Marsh (aka Sensation Smith, band) and former Stanford Boiler Roomer Steve Lawton (contemporary spoke word). There is also a comedian and a local choir, Funky Voices, appearing. To book, go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-backstage-centre -autumn-showcase-tickets-12014582941

The eye in the ThAT logo represents observation, imagination and creation.

The full list of ThAT's venues, dates and times...

1. Well House Gallery

Saturday 6 to Sunday 21 Sept.
High Road
Horndon on the Hill
SS17 8LF
Monday to Friday 10am-4pm (closed 12-1pm)
Saturday 10am-5pm (closed 12-1pm)
Sunday 3-6pm
http://www.wellhousegallery.co.uk

2. Studio 19

Barry Andrews with Paul Harrison
Saturday 6 to Monday 8
Friday 12 & Saturday 13
Monday 15
Friday 19 to Sunday 21 Sept.
5 Ash Walk
South Ockendon
RM15 6TY
11am-4pm daily
http://www.barryandrews.co.uk/

3. Art & Photography Show

School Arts & photography by Rebecca Street
Saturday 6 to Friday 12 Sept.
Grays Methodist Church
Lodge Lane
Grays
RM17 5PU

4. Expressions of the Soul

The paintings of Christian Squibb, Itan Deterville & Rowena Wright
Saturday 6 to Friday 19 Sept. (except Sunday)
Thameside Complex foyer gallery
Orsett Road
Grays
RM17 5DX

5. Craft Candy Jewellery Show

Saturday 6 & Sunday 7
Tuesday 9 to Saturday 13 Sept.
148 London Road
Grays
RM17 5YD
Saturday 10am-5pm
Sunday 10am-4pm
then 10am-5pm daily
Yarn Bombing will be on display at High House Production Park, Purfleet, from the Monday 8 Sept.

6. Realist Urban Landscapes

Paul Harrison with Barry Andrews
Saturday 6 to Sunday 21 Sept.
19 Mayflower Close
South Ockendon
RM15 6HZ
10am to 6pm daily
Viewing by arrnagement - please see brochure
http://www.facebook.com/PSHFA

7. Swan Song

The Dacha Group at The Swan Gallery
Sunday 7 to Monday 22 Sept.
The Swan
High Road
Horndon on the Hill
SS17 8LD
Pub opening times

8. Art at St Mary’s

Saturday 13 Sept.
St Mary’s Church
High Road
North Stifford
RM16 5UE
10am-4pm

9. Mucking Marvels

Wildlife & Landscape paintings, Multimedia Timeline & Wildlife Photography
Saturday 13 to Sunday 21 Sept.
including Wildlife Photography workshop on 10am-1pm Saturday 20 September - Booking Essential (see brochure)
Essex Wildlife Trust
Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Cory Environmental Trust Visitor Centre
Mucking Wharf Road
Mucking
Stanford-le-Hope
SS17 0RN
9am to 5pm daily

10. GPC Arts & Crafts

Thursday 18 & Saturday 20 Sept.
Gateway People's Centre
2 High Street
Stanford le Hope
SS17 OEY
10am -2pm both days

11. High House Artists

ENAS Open Studios
Friday 19 to Sunday 21 Sept.
High House Artists’ Studios
off Purfleet Bypass
Purfleet
RM19 1AS
Friday 10am-5pm
Pop-Up Gallery at Backstage Centre 6-7.30pm
+ Open Vision Showcase 7.30pm
Saturday 11am-4pm
Sunday 11am-4pm

12. Purfleet Local Art & Photography

Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 Sept.
St Stephen's Church
London Road
Purfleet
RM19 1QD
Saturday 10am-4pm
Sunday 1-4pm

13. Ron Contemporary Gallery Projects

Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 Sept.
95 Victoria Avenue
Grays
RM16 2RN
11am-6pm

See lots more information on all the above, groups and individual artists onhttp://www.thurrockarts.com.

Tim's collaborative piece with John Espin (see http://timharrold.tumblr.com) called The Doors of Perception, which has been commisioned by ENAS (Essex Network of Artists' Studios), will be on display at an exhibition called Traces at Hadleigh Old Fire Station art studios and gallery (on the A13 giratory section, postcode SS7 2PA) 1-14 September 2014. See also http://essexstudios.org.uk/events-list.

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Shovels & Rope - Gasoline.

Plinth installation: John Espin and Tim Harrold

John Espin and Tim Harrold are currently both collaborating on a commission for the Essex Network of Artists' Studios (ENAS).

Eight artists across ENAS have been chosen to make a piece to go on one of four 90x45x45cm plinths. Their inspiration is based on four themes chosen through prayer from a whole pile of phrases based on biblical images. These are:

• Does it roar like the Lion?
• Open your mouth
• A white stone. A new name. What is it?
• Can you count the stars?

Their 45x45cm square is itself divided into four dioramas depicting these themes. See http://timharrold.tumblr.com for photographs of the piece as it develops.

Tim writes that they: 'are both excited by this project and we're a fair way into the process. The piece has to be completed by the end of this month, and will be shown with the other plinths at the Hadleigh Old Fire Station Studios in September. Our idea was chosen, apparently, without hesitation from the panel, which to us is a complete blessing and confirmation that we're on the right road with this. We don't know where it will lead, but are happy to have simply been selected and are of the mind that anything else will be a bonus.'

Tim has a BA (Hons.) Degree in Expressive Arts, Brighton Polytechnic (1982-85). He creates allegorical dramas in boxes and freestanding sculptures, assembling found objects and using multimedia. He takes photos of clouds, buildings, ruins, rust, lichens, leaves, bark, water, signs, lamps, telegraph poles, and people, using a range of cameras and has an interest in illustrative ambient film. He writes found poetry, lyrics and prose, using found words a lot in his visual work. He combines elements of all the above in making contemplative installations - where the conceptual and the metaphysical meet, there is the perceptual.

John works with mixed media and says: "My work exists somewhere between painting and sculpture, despite being wall-mounted and marked with colour. Anything can be a starting point – an object, a word, found printed images or text, a photograph ... The work is often carved, polished and sanded, resulting in highly varied relief surfaces. Areas of the work form visual bridges, allowing tentative connections with other spaces. Layers of colour seem to tease, having been applied and taken away, fighting with materials and form. The layering and peeling back of surfaces: the way in which time acts on the world around us, concealing and unveiling by turns. Areas of paint crack to expose another time: a memory is revealed, a place, a captured moment in life ...'

They will be exhibiting together at the new Wellhouse Gallery (www.wellhousegallery.com) in Horndon on the Hill in November. John has a website at www.john-espin.co.uk and Tim's work can be seen on his photoblog - http://timharrold.tumblr.com - and via Twitter on @HarroldTim. Tim is facilitator of a local networking organ - www.transformationthurrock.com - and currently also works part-time for the My Hope UK initiative.  

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Steve Scott - Sun Poem.