Artist Interview with Perla Mignanelli

Perla Mignanelli is an Italian painter, who recently joined Wimbledon Art Studios. Inspired by gothic art, women and her surroundings, we’re keen to find out more about Perla and her practice.

Hi Perla, so what do you enjoy about being an artist here at Wimbledon Art Studios?

The creative environment - there are so many various and talented artists sharing knowledge and skills, spending time together and help each other out. You’re surrounded by people who believe in what they do.

Tell us about your work, what are you known for?

I mainly do painting and mixed media on canvas, mostly portraits.

What should we expect to see at the upcoming Wimbledon Art Fair?

Inspired by Frida Kahlo and Mexican Art, my latest collection of paintings is part of what I call decorative art. I’m experimenting with displaying canvases layered on top of each other at different angles.

Where else can we see your work?

I have an exhibition at The Brick Lane Gallery from the 9 - 21 October 2018.

Thanks Perla, we look forward to visiting you in studio 282 at Wimbledon Art Fair, from the 15 - 18 November 2018.

Artist Interview with Zoe Anker

From painting to ceramics, photography to printmaking and everything in between, Wimbledon Art Fair offers the opportunity to explore the working studios of London’s most exciting contemporary artists and makers, and buy art directly from the person who made it.

With just two months to go, we’ve been chatting to printmaker Zoe Anker

Hi Zoe, so it’s safe to say you love bright colours - is that your inspiration?

Yes, it is! I love colour, I love to travel and I love graffiti.

So how would you describe your practice?

I am a printmaker, specialising in screen printing. I am known for my vivid colours and my use of geometric shapes.

What can we expect to see at this November’s Wimbledon Art Fair?

My body of work for the next show will see a continuation of juxtaposition of colour and shape. I’ve also been working on some larger scale pieces which I will be including too.

Have you got any other exhibitions coming up?

Yes, I am exhibiting at Gallery@OXO at the end of September, as part of the annual A Letter in Mind charity fundraiser. Each artist donates a piece of work on an envelope, which will be sold for £85 each. All money is raised for The National Brain Appeal, which funds to advance treatment and research at The National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery and the Institute of Neurology, so it’s a lovely event to be part of.

And finally, what do you enjoy about being at Wimbledon Art Studios?

Having been in and around Wimbledon Art Studios for a few years now, I mainly enjoy the social and community environment. It’s great to be surrounded by such a diverse array of amazing artists… I love being here!

Thanks Zoe, we look forward to seeing you in studio 103 at Wimbledon Art Fair, from the 15 - 18 November 2018.

Artist Interview with Carolyn Tripp

Carolyn Tripp recently joined the studios and will be taking part in Wimbledon Art Fair this November for the first time. We caught up with her in the run up to the show to find out what she’s up to…

Hi Carolyn, where did it all begin for you, what’s your inspiration?

My inspiration originates from a tiny porcelain green bottle I was given by my grandmother when I was a child. That and broken pieces of pottery I have found over the years on the foreshore of the Thames.

How would you describe your work?

I work with porcelain, decorated with brightly coloured, mismatched patterns.

What should we expect to see at Wimbledon Art Fair?

I am hoping to introduction a new colour… we’ll see!

We hear you’ve got a busy few months, what are you up to?

I am at Made Marylebone in October and Handmade in Chelsea in November. Plus the Wimbledon Art Fair and I’ll be at the Leeds Design and Craft Centre until Christmas.

What do you love about being an artist at Wimbledon Art Studios?

I’m new here and am absolutely loving it. The light I have in my studio is such a revelation - coming from an arch! Also everyone is so friendly and helpful. It’s also great to have a named address to send deliveries too!

Find out more about Carolyn and her work here or come and see her in studio 507 at Wimbledon Art Fair from the 15 - 18 November 2018.

Artist Interview with Ariadna Dane

Having launched her artistic career at the May Open Studios, we were keen to catch up with Ariadna Dane to see what she's been up to since the last show. 

Hi Ariadna, how have you settled in to life at Wimbledon Art Studios?
Very well, thank you. I love the atmosphere of creativity, friendliness and support for each other that we have in the studios. During my first week here, I spend a lot of time just knocking at studio’s doors, trying to get to know as many people as I could. I received such a warm welcome from the residents - this made me feel instantly at home. 

We're glad to hear it! The May Open Studios marked the start of your artistic career, how do you think it went? 
It was so exciting to show my work for the first time. Although I have been interested and involved in art throughout my life, my background is in finance, which is a completely different world. The May Open Studios exhibition, went better than I expected. It was very encouraging to make my first sales, have some meaningful feedback from the visitors and gain a representation from a well-known art consultancy.

So what can we expect from you at the next show?
Having spent the beginning of this year experimenting and researching, I have now created two bodies of work: Organic Wreaths and Basal Elements, which I will exhibit at the November show. Both feature ink on paper and cutouts. The former is a colourful work while the latter is monochrome.

The creative process is very “alive” thanks to the mediums and techniques I use and the resulting work also continuously changes: the cutouts create distinctive shadows, as the lighting changes throughout the day. I love it that there is life to my work, especially since I am inspired by all things natural. 

I continue experimenting, as I want my work to constantly evolve and change, so be prepared for some exiting new results. 

To find out more about Ariadna's work visit ariadnadane.com or find her in studio 414 at the Wimbledon Art Fair from the 16th - 19th November 2017.

Jilly Vainer shortlisted for Wildlife Artist of the Year 2017

We're delighted that Jilly Vainer, of studio 514, has been shortlisted for Wildlife Artist of the Year 2017. The exhibition will take place at the Mall Galleries from 27th June - 1st July. 

Jilly Vainer's macaque 'Snow Monkey' will be exhibited at the Mall Galleries as part of the Wildlife Artist of the Year 2017 exhibition

We caught up with Jilly in the lead up to the Open Studios in May.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, Jilly...

I am an upcoming artist specialising in wildlife/animal Sculptures, well known for my Dog/Horse portrait's and sculptures of endangered species. 

Where can we see your work?

The private members club “Leander” at Henley Regatta, has a permanent fixture of one of my Hippopotamus sculptures, as this is their mascot for the club.

Anything we should look forward to for the May Open Studios?

My latest collection captures the movement of migrating swallows, these are wall installations for indoors and outdoors and at the moment I am also working on a Spatuletail Humming bird.

What's your career highlight so far?

I was very happy to have one of my sculptures chosen by the “society of wildlife”, my hibernating Dormouse was exhibited at the “mallgalleries” in London SW1.

How has Wimbledon Art Studios helped your career?

WAS has offered me over the last 9 years a great platform and opportunity to show my work to the public at their twice-yearly exhibitions. Slowly this has turned a lifetime hobby in to a more commercial venture. The studios also offer a great sense of community and support this is very welcoming when you are starting any new venture.

Find out more about Jilly Vainer's work at jillyvainer.co.uk 

Vaughn Horsman, the man behind the machine

How would you describe yourself and your work?

I consider myself an upcoming old guy. My art has been a very slow expression of crazy ideas which I dreamed about 20 years ago. Over time they have become more structured, more refined and more real. Most of them feel like being trapped inside an old science fiction movie… Which is a lot like normal life these days. I try to find humour and beauty in the experience.

I studied architecture rather than fine art. My paintings use architecture to make art these days.

Tell us about your practice...

I make art using computer code, machines and paint brushes. The mixture of media lets me say something about the present. Some people feel the beauty in the pieces. Most don’t. A good deal of visitors have to walk past my door a good few times before crossing the threshold. I guess you could accuse my work of being an acquired taste. Difficult to digest.

What can we look forward to at the show? Anything new for 2017?

In previous shows I have displayed a lot of small scale prototypes and models. Now that I’ve figured out how to actually make them, I’m going to be showing bold, large scale reliefs. I find that bigger is always better with art. Simple ideas don’t have presence until you have to stand back and look up at them.

Where can we see your work at the moment?

I have two pieces in the national museum of Wales digital collection. I currently have work on show at Tower 42 in the city. Gallery Nummer 40 in the Netherlands will be showing a range of “Masterplan” paintings at various UK and European art fairs through the year.

Have you received any awards?

None. I’m not happy about this. People tell me I should enter competitions.

What do you enjoy about being at WAS?

WAS is a relaxed creative space filled with hundreds of very interesting artists. It’s my happy place. Unlike other studios, WAS lets me run a studio with industrial CNC machinery and power tools. They open 24 hours, so I can work till 3am.

For more information on Vaughn and his work visit thoughtform.co.uk

Artist Interview with Tim Goffe

We hear you've been shortlisted for the Royal Academy Summer Show, congratulations! Tell us a bit about your work...

Drawing on my past as a photographer, my work is observational but indulges in a painterly approach. I'm known for urban and industrial scenes, empty shops, service stations, airports, interiors, light and its power to transform is always the key initial inspiration.

Are you working on anything new for the 2017 Open Studios? Anything exciting we should look out for?

All of the above, as well as the continuing the investigation into the interiors of stately homes. New print editions and a secret surprise!

That does sound exciting. Where can we find your work at the moment?

Currently showing in Dynamite Gallery Brighton. Often to be seen in the Federation of British Artists shows at the Mall Galleries and Zimmer Stuart Arundel.

Any awards?

In 2014 I received The Gordon Hulson Memorial Prize for Draughtsmanship, Variety & Exploration at the RBA show at the Mall Galleries

Any celebrity or well-known gallery buyers? (you can mention)

Yes, some well known but secretive collectors, you’ll have to trust me on this one :)

Thanks Tim, we look forward to see your work at the Open Studios.

For more information about Tim's work visit timgoffestudio.com