hivearts Archives - Blackpool Social Club

28 Aug

Art Exhibition Review: Zoe Siobhan and Mike Lang

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsart exhibition, blackpool arts scene, hivearts, painting

With a double-opening for two fine artists in the offing at the HIVE venue on 19th August 2025, David Simper hurried to catch the service 61 bus to review this event. He was not disappointed. Zoe Siobhan' work employs intense colour and yet can have a dark undercurrent. It includes 3D work and sculpture, together with painting. A number of themes run through the work, including hands, of which there are several examples here. A stylised face makes an appearance in several pieces and is the main focus in others. The work is original, moving and technically accomplished. There's a…

08 Sep

Exhibition Review: Hannah Elizabeth – Those Sweet Moments

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsart exhibition, blackpool arts scene, Exhibition, hivearts, painting

Local artist Hannah Elizabeth is displaying her work at HIVE gallery on Church Street. David Simper caught the service 3a bus down to the opening. This one was popular with a large number of people in the downstairs cafe and display area, taking in this excellent work. I had carelessly thought that Hannah's work was acrylic, but it transpired the material was tester paint pots from a former well known DIY outlet. The paintings are large and presented unframed, which works for these strong, bold paintings. This is Hannah's first solo show and I think we are very lucky to…

24 Jun

Exhibition Review: Capital of Dance

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsart exhibition, blackpool arts scene, dance, Exhibition, hivearts

The HIVEArts collective has curated a new dance themed exhibition. Declaring his interest in having a piece in this show, David Simper bused it down to the Church Street gallery to catch some exciting art and enjoy a coffee with friends. In the absence of an opening event for this fine exhibition, I combined a view with a social visit to the weekly HIVE Jive gathering in the Church Street gallery. A good cup of coffee was had; cake was resisted. The exhibition features the HIVEArts collective's typically eclectic mix of painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media and this time, costume,…

03 Apr

Exhibition Review: Darren Elwell

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsart exhibition, blackpool arts scene, hivearts, illustration

A new HIVEArts supported exhibition featuring local teacher and illustrator, Darren Elwell, opened in the Church Street coffee shop on Thursday 28th March 2024. David Simper bused it down to catch this opening and work of striking quality. This HIVEArts supported exhibition on the ground floor of the HIVE coffee shop on Church Street showcases the work of local illustrator Darren Elwell. The art works were wall mounted with smaller pieces placed on tables and a display to the cafe's rear. A short 'creative diary' booklet was an interesting addition. This is bold work with striking and immaculately composed images.…

29 Sep

Exhibition Review: The Air That I Breathe

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsart exhibition, aspergillosis trust, blackpool arts scene, hivearts

The Air That I Breathe is a new exhibition at HIVEArts that finds the Blackpool collective partnering with The Aspergillosis Trust. The opening on world Lung Day proved an inspiring and emotional event. "We aim to celebrate and comtemplate the intangible yet essential element that surrounds our lives and in doing so raise awareness and support for the Aspergillosis Trust," explained organiser Dawn Mander about this latest exhibition at HIVEArts, which explores the fundamental connectivity between breath, air and life itself. Aspergillosis is a hidden lung disease that can be fatal. It is incurable but if diagnosed early and with the right treatment it can be managed. The diseases…

10 Aug

Exhibition review: Wish You Were Here – postcards from the edge

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & ExhibitionsBlackpool, blackpool art scene, Exhibition, hivearts, photography

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The HiveArts opening night for this fine exhibition had shifted to Friday from the usual Thursday, but no issue to finish work and get down there. As per my previous piece, there have been many weeks to prepare the alternative gallery space for this exhibition in partnership with the Photo North Festival. A better venue to celebrate photography of the British seaside experience could not have been chosen. The exhibition is described as a warm and friendly invitation to seaside themed exhibition celebrating the beauty, charm and often faded glamour of the seaside through the lens of talented photographers.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column…

22 Jun

Exhibition Review: Peter Jamieson Sinclair’s ‘Caravaggio: The art of forgery’ at HiveArts

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & ExhibitionsArt, art exhibition, art of forgery, Blackpool, blackpool arts scene, caravaggio, hivearts, old masters, painting, peter jamieson sinclair

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] It was a full house for the opening of Peter Jamieson Sinclair's exhibition of Caravaggio based works at HiveArts on Blackpool's Church Street on 15 June 2022. Referring to my Caravaggio book (Gilles Lambert), I have to say that these works are close to uncannily like the originals. Mind you, if they were the originals, how would we have covered the insurance bill? The notes visible on the photos often recounted that the originals had been lost and other background information, including what is known about the paintings' original subjects. The Art of Forgery explores the techniques used to…