Artist Interview with Fred Coppin

Artist Interview with Fred Coppin

In March this year, we welcomed Fred Coppin to studio 403 and we’re delighted he will be participating in the upcoming Wimbledon Art Fair from the 9 - 12 May. A former Creative / Marketing Consultant for Nike and Red Bull, Fred is also a personal trainer, whilst focusing on his painting. We’ve been catching up with him to see how he’s been settling in…

Fred Coppin in studio 403

Hi Fred, so tell us about your work.

My previous show was titled ‘Angles & Optimism’ which I think sums by work up fairly well. I create largely figurative work but through an uplifting, colourful, playful lense.

What can we look forward to seeing at Wimbledon Art Fair?

I’m currently working on a new series of paintings that has adds a bit of a surrealist layer to my previous work by utilising the power of random generation to determine the objects / items in the image. It’s then my job as the artist to prioritise and arrange these into a final composition. It’s a fun process – collaborating with chance. 

Heatwave, Fred Coppin

What are your artistic career highlights so far?

Well 2018 was a pretty great year for me; I won the Artist Magazine Award at the Royal Institute of Oil Painters Exhibition at the Mall Galleries and had a sell-out show in Shoreditch.

How are you enjoying being an artist at Wimbledon Art Studios?

I absolutely love it. It’s the perfect environment and there’s lovely light in m studio. I am in my element.

Jack, Fred Coppin

What are you most excited about the upcoming show?

I’ve only been at the studios for a couple of months so I’m looking forward to meeting the community a little more and soaking up lots of new ideas.

Thanks Fred, we look forward to visiting you in studio 403 at Wimbledon Art Fair from the 9 - 12 May.

Artist Interview with Jo Matei

Artist Interview with Jo Matei

Jo Matei is in studio 282

Jo Matei joined Wimbledon Art Studios in February this year and is looking forward to taking part in her first Wimbledon Art Fair this May. After quitting her full time job in health care, Jo has taken the leap to a more flexible work pattern so she can dedicate more time to her art. Let’s see how she’s getting on…

Hi Jo, welcome to Wimbledon Art Studios, how are you enjoying it so far?

I love the vast networking opportunities that the Studios provide. There’s a great social and community environment and would like to continue discovering more of the amazing artists of Wimbledon!

What are you most looking forward to about your first Wimbledon Art Fair?

Jo Matei

I am excited to be able to show my paintings to people who are genuinely passioned about art and to share my experience with them.

Tell us about your work?

I’m a realist portrait painter. However, I am interested in discovering new ways of self-expression and am keen on abstract paintings. At the moment I am experimenting with colours and forms and will let this phase of exploration guide me further. At the moment, I am working on developing a few painting collections that are based on themes inspired by the fetish world, as well dealing with topics related to dreams and the morbid aspects of human existence.

What’s your background? How did you get into art?

Jo Matei

My background is completely different from the art world, I graduated as a healthcare professional in 2013. During my first and only art class in 2016, I had the amazing opportunity to meet and be guided by a talented art teacher who unveiled the secrets of oil painting to me. Ever since I could not let go of the brush and canvas, becoming my main means of creation.

Thanks Jo, we look forward to seeing you in studio 282 at Wimbledon Art Fair from the 9-12 May.

VIDEO: Interview with Carolyn Tripp

VIDEO: Artist Interview with Carolyn Tripp

As the May 2019 Wimbledon Art Fair is fast approaching, we've been catching up with ceramicist Carolyn Tripp on her influences and why she thinks you should come and visit.

You can find Carolyn in studio 507 from the 9-12 May at Wimbledon Art Fair.

VIDEO: Interview with Dawn Beckles

VIDEO: Artist Interview with Dawn Beckles

As Wimbledon Art Studios prepares for the upcoming Art Fair, we've been catching up with Dawn Beckles on Barbados, her new collection and what we should expect at Wimbledon Art Fair.

Visit Dawn in studio 143 at Wimbledon Art Fair from the 9-12 May 2019.

Artist Interview with James Bannister

Artist Interview with James Bannister

Wimbledon Art Studios’ is thrilled to welcome photographer James Bannister to the community. We’ve been catching up with him as he settles in and starts to prepare for the upcoming Wimbledon Art Fair.

Hi James, welcome to Wimbledon Art Studios, how are you settling in?

James Bannister

There’s so many friendly faces here! I love having a space to be immersed in my work, without any distractions - definitely a luxury that we don’t get all of the time. It’s a great headspace to be in when making work.

Very glad to hear you’re enjoying it. What were you doing prior to joining the studios?

I have been balancing personal and commercial work. I have split my time between London, Los Angeles and Cornwall.

Lake Mead, James Bannister

That sounds exciting. So, tell us about your work; what are you currently working on?

I primarily work with a large format camera, creating long form works, based around a loose narrative. At the moment, I am working on a project about grass, Capitalism and success, in Las Vegas, USA. It will be published as a photobook and will b exhibited once it is finished in 2020.

Well we look forward to seeing that. What have your career highlights been so far? Anywhere we might have seen your work?

I have been shortlisted for a number of prizes, including Magnum Photo Graduate Prize, British Journal of Photography Send Anywhere Award and the D&AD x Dazed and Confused Youth Award. I was also awarded Editor’s Pick in the British Journal of Photography Les Rencontres d’Arles Open Walls. My project has also been featured on It’s Nice That.

What are you most looking forward to about participating in your first Wimbledon Art Fair?

I’m looking forward to chatting with artists and the public, meeting new faces and seeing what they think of the work.

More information can be found about James and his work at jamesbannister.co.uk and be sure to visit him in studio 265 at Wimbledon Art Fair from the 9-12 May 2019.