artists' open houses

Hand crafted jewellery in silver and copper.

ALIEN NATURE. Inspired by the organic shapes found in nature, Si’s work is a continuous evolution and exploration of alien nature creating giant seeds and pods that echo the tiny forms and structures of plant life. Si has worked consistently over the last 10 years exploring the world of plants and trees and translating his extensive knowledge into imaginary and fantastical seed- and pod-like structures. His thorough knowledge and respect of the natural materials he uses have enabled him to produce work that not only complements the beauty of wood but also tests its strength and structure to the extreme. With the Hollocones and Hollopods he works the sculptures extensively, paring down each piece to the least amount of wood imaginable leaving the most delicate lace-like structures. The resulting contrast of strength and lightness, solidity and space is architectural but in a most natural form. These giant, imagined seed pods seem familiar but also strangely other-worldly. Si makes them ‘human-size’ as if to remind us not to forget how much beauty there is around us that shouldn’t be missed; even the tiniest things are worthy of our attention.

Collage, silkscreen and giclée prints made using recycled magazines and newspapers. Some prints are hand finished in gold and silver leaf.

Last year's launch of the Artist's Open House was quite a commitment, but one I am excited to repeat this year with my sister. In the last year I have launched my website and increased my collection to include the fancy of Brighton Pride and seaside zombies - only in Brighton! My collection will focus on images from New York, Ireland and these festivals. Welcome to Number 8, where the craic will indeed be good.

I am a painter and printmaker working with both oil and acrylic paints, fine art printmaking and use photography to record the constant changes taking place in the landscape. Latest work focuses on the countryside around Ditchling Beacon - an area of ancient histories, wildness and human traces fashioned by agriculture. I am interested in the vastness of big spaces and the transformations that are relentlessly taking place as the seasons evolve. The shifting light and its effect on the shape and form of the contours of the land also hold a fascination.

Land, sea and life: landscape and semi-abstract, mixed-media paintings. I am inspired by the changing light, detail and wildness in landscapes and seascapes. My primary medium is watercolour but I also use inks, gouache, acrylic and graphite.