painting Archives - Blackpool Social Club

27 Apr

Exhibition Review: John Spencer at HIVE cafe

David Simper0 CommentsGuide, Visual Arts & Exhibitionsart exhibition, blackpool art scene, painting

Local artist John Spencer is exhibiting at Hive cafe. David Simper, who paints alongside John at Blackpool Art Society meetings, went along to see what he had done with the opportunity for a full-scale exhibition and to catch up with the artist. This collection of bold, vibrant pieces did not disappoint. I had had a little preview of some of these pieces, as they had been part done at the Blackpool Art Society's monthly general painting sessions, but there's nothing like seeing finished work, curated creatively. Of a large scale, the work fills the HIVE's walls easily. Using a deceptively…

09 Dec

Art Exhibition at Aunty Social- Introducing Keith Downey

Joe Booth0 CommentsVisual Arts & ExhibitionsArt, Aunty Social, Blackpool, Exhibition, painting

This week, Aunty Social is proud to introduce the work of local artist, Keith Downey by hosting an exhibition at their Topping Street venue from Thursday 11 to Friday 12 December. Now living in Blackpool, but born in Romney Marsh in Kent, Keith works in the style of the Dutch Masters, using oil paint on canvas. From childhood, Keith was clear he was only ever going to paint still-life or work with animals. Painting won, and he studied Illustration at Medway College of Design in the late 1970s. "From before I can remember, I absolutely loved that style of art…

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…

09 Jul

Exhibition review: Donkey Work – Grundy Art Gallery

David Simper0 CommentsGuide, Visual Arts & ExhibitionsArt, art exhibition, donkeys, Film, grundy art gallery, horses, painting, sculp

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""] The Grundy Art Gallery's new summer show is now open. Donkey Work and Horse Power are two exhibitions that examine artists' representations of the humble donkey and horse, inviting visitors to see our equine companions in a new light. David Simper caught the service 61 bus to Talbot Road to explore the exhibitions. [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=""]These exhibitions set out to show how artists have used donkeys and horses as symbols of labour, leisure, value and wealth. It features a number of renowned contemporary artists, including Sir Peter Blake and Marina Abramovic on loan from regional and national institutions, supported…

27 Jun

Exhibition review: EquiVocal – the Freedom Art

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

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""] Shaun Wilkinson opened his exhibition at the Church Street HIVE gallery, the evening of 19th June 2025. Skipping dinner, David Simper caught the service 61 bus to town to view this fine display. Shaun's work is of that quality bracket that after viewing, one wonders whether it's worth continuing with one's paltry efforts (see my Instagram for my latest inadequate daub). I'm not a massive fan of abstract art, but these are masterful; not all are entirely abstract, such as the example above. The pieces above show that, while the work might be described as abstract, they are…

07 May

Artist Q&A: Tom Lopato

David Simper2 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsabstract art, art exhibition, blackpool arts scene, painting

Being familiar with Tom Lopato's work, David Simper was keen to catch the opening of his solo exhibition. He headed to the buzzing HIVE gallery on Church Street and caught up with the local artist. I had chatted to Tom at an event at the Tea Amantes gallery – we had got onto the then upcoming Grundy Open Exhibition and coincidentally, when this exhibition opened, his piece was hung almost directly over mine on the wall. Having also seen his paintings on sale in the Topping Street Aunty Social outlet, I considered myself familiar with his work. However, this had…

17 Feb

Artist Q&A: Dee Kozo

David Simper0 CommentsLocal News, Visual Arts & Exhibitionsart exhibition, blackpool arts scene, painting

Black, British and Blackpool-based artist Dee Kozo is currently displaying her debut full solo exhibition at Hive Arts. David Simper popped along to the regular Saturday morning HIVE Jive social to view the exhibition and chat to the artist about her work. The size, material choice and subject vary across Dee Kozo's accomplished exhibition, Diaspora. Some of the pieces might actually fit in my limited wall space, which is worth a thought. Dee is a Black British artist and teacher living and working in Blackpool and is known for her striking portraits. She draws on her Zambian heritage together with…

14 Jan

Exhibition Review: Wild at Heart – Martyna Pichalska at Tea Amantes

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsart exhibition, blackpool art scene, painting

Keen to get out of the house and to the first Tea Amantes exhibition of the year, David Simper caught the service 61 bus down to the town centre, to take in the work of Polish painter and tattoo artist, Martyna Pichalska. It didn't disappoint. The weather wasn't too good for this evening at Tea Amantes, but this show was well worth the effort to get down into Blackpool. The work has a wonderfully wild, spontaneous grip about it, apart from possibly the pooches wearing bow ties. Materials switch between watercolour and acrylic using a restrained and effective palette. Acrylic…

24 Nov

Exhibition Review: Please Believe Me – Charley Baines

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsart exhibition, blackpool art scene, hive blackpool, painting

Having had a preview of Charley Baines's work at a recent Saturday morning HIVE Jive event, David Simper was keen to see her exhibition launch and caught the service 61 bus down Hive despite a minor blizzard. He was well rewarded by the work on show in the downstairs cafe area. On entering HIVE, the room was already full of people. This was in fact a dual exhibition with Charley's work downstairs and a display of children's artwork upstairs. Several of the child artists and their parents were there and were able to participate in the event. The children's art…

12 Nov

Exhibition Review: A.L.M.O.R.A

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsart exhibition, blackpool art scene, Music, painting

David Simper caught the service 61 bus to the Tea Amantes cafe and gallery to take in its latest arts offering with some live music thrown in. If you like art nouveaux and the pre-raphaelites with a flavour of pagan imagery, this is the show for you. On entering Tea Amantes the place was already buzzing. The pieces in this exhibition are generally large and it didn't take long to get round despite the number of people. These paintings use a bright palette and reference mythology and pagan themes, art nouveaux and the pre-raphaelites being clear influences. Several are self…